Upgrade Power Cord for FM Tuner

"Other than a cool factor, what else does a tuner offer? I’m genuinely curious…"

 I’m struggling with the concept that I would have to sit thru bunch of commercials no matter how good they sound. "

audphile-

Available broadcast reception certainly determines if a tuner is worth the effort.

The SQ/programming of 2 local stations warrant keeping an FM tuner.

I only listen to a couple of PBS stations, so no "commercials" and limited breaks in music. The remaining stations on the radio dial-commercial broadcast are not for me. The music choices-mostly current POP whatever and aged out "Classic Rock" are all terrible SQ/programming and way too many commercials.

The rub is Classical and Jazz are the only choices which is fine by me.

I would not bother with a tuner otherwise-commercial broadcast radio in SoCal is awful.

With today's technology, anyone with a decent streaming box/internet signal can listen to the same broadcast as many radio stations now stream. No prehistoric FM tuner necessary.

Whether or not SQ is on par with a proper FM tuner- I imagine gear selection is a major factor?

What's not to like about listening to music WITHOUT an interet sigal/subscription fee?

 hickamore's closing remarks are felt here.

I guess something about growing up with a radio always on in the house stuck with me?

This is cool factor to anyone who digs Art Deco/Industrial aesthetic.

Mid 1950's REL Precedent. 

@tablejockey ,

Where did you get that beauty??

thecarpathian-

The REL Precedent is only a WISH SANDWICH for me😂

It's on the list of "long game" acquisitions. 

Here's an old listing with some info

REL Precedent FM Tuner For Sale | Audiogon

An unmolested piece is around $5K or thereabouts. Then you need to wire in a multiplex board for stereo. Maybe keep the mono period vibe and just hookup one period appropriate horn?

Looks only a tuner fan can love

1949 REL 646B "Green Monster" 10 watt FM radio. 

REL 646B Tube Receiver 10 watt 7C5 "Green Monster" (before the Precedent"

From the wayback machine

FM-1942-Jul-Aug.pdf

Commercial broadcast radio is awful everywhere.

@faustuss Thanks.

All these fabulous antique signal boxes!

In 1999 I bought an ArCam Alpha 9 CDP that came with a cheapo 18/3 or maybe it was a 16/3 power cord. (Odd thing the IEC inlet connector on the Arcam is a two wire. No ground pin.) 

I had read audiophile magazine reviews on the player. I believe, going from memory, Stereophile gave it a solid B rating. 

Before buying the ArCam I brought home the demo unit from the brick and mortar audio store for a few days to hear how it sounded in my system. (Unit was well broken in including the thin gauge cheapo power cord.)

Long story short, try a 14/3 power cord. I first just used an OEM 14/3 power cord that came with an ARC power amp. There was an improvement in the sound. Yes power cords can make a difference. How, why? Beats me... I really don’t care why.