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What are the Best FM tuners?

This is an often asked question. This is my current list of favorites:
A. Good out of the box, judging sound quality only, not in order of preference because each has merits:

1. Very rare Accuphase T-103
2. 1 out of 10 Tandberg TPT 3001As
3. Onkyo T-909
4. Bogen TP-100
5. Akai AT-S7
6. JVC FX-1100B
7. NEC T-710
8. Onix Audio BWD-1
9. Kenwood KT-990D
10.Crown FM-2
11.Marantz ST-17
12.Sim Audio "Moon"

B. Modified tuners, both RF and audio performance, in order of preference:

1. Kenwood KT-727
2. Kenwood KT-3200D
3. NEC T-6E
4. SAE 8000
5. Accuphase T-101
6. Sony ST-S550ES
7. Onkyo T-4500
8. Tandberg TPT-3011A
9. McIntosh MR-74
10.Luxman T-110
11.Onkyo T-909
12.MD-102, early version

Sure, there are others -- and you may have your own opinions -- but these have proven to be excellent choices over the past 20 years.
bdscott
dbrantc75e
1 posts
 
david
i currently have a sansui 417 an amber model 7 and THE hitachi FT 5500 MARK11
HAD THE AMBER FOR YEARS THOUGHT it was the best the sansui moved it too the surround sound system
the hitachi though has cd quality sound reproduction- i no longer listen to either of the others.
pragmatist
336 posts
 
No one else has said it yet,so I will say it.

No tuner is better that its antenna and the quality of the broadcast signal.

It is by no means the best,but I like the flywheel accuracy tuning on my Matantz ST-17. It's connected to a chimney mounted,turnstile style,multi-directional antenna from Radio Shack. It's a good antenna for about 30-40 miles,line of sight.
jimemac77
10 posts
 
I have listened to many, but the Sansui TU-9900 is my personal favorite beating many Kenwoods, Tandbergs, Pioneers, Denons, Sonys, and three other Sansuis. Very tough to beat IMO
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
I also have a Sansui 9900, modded, currently hooked to an MD ST-2 whip antenna on the roof, run through an MD-205 Signal Sleuth. It pulls stations about 40 miles away and the sound is very good.

Currently pondering the merits of replacing the ST-2 with an MD-6 Yagi antenna I just purchased(before I discovered how well the MD-205 worked with the Sansui), but am torn between "leaving well enough alone" and the brain damage involved in modifying brackets, etc to install the MD-6.

Feedback?

Thanks
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
Put up the MD-6 - no looking back. Station pull increased, as did clarity, dynamics, etc. Put an Epiphany PC on it and some Virtual Dynamics Revelation ICs and now have sound rivaling my CD player! Pretty sweet tuna.... I suppose there's always something better....
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