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For the record, I hate asking this question.
I'm very happy with the sound coming out of my Jolida cd player. I consider it my 'reference' in that if my other components are on par I knoe that I'll be satisfied with the quality. Of course, I'm always happy to get a better component if I can do so for just a little added cost.For tuners, I'm considering:
Used Magnum Dynalab Etude (about $1000 with remote)
Used Magnum Dynalab 101A (about $700 with remote)
(both of these are sold direct from the manufacturer. I'm much more comfortable buying used that way.)
Jolida Tuner, new or used
Or something much cheaper, maybe NAD C440I'd like to go with something newer and reliable. Of course, reception and selectivity are crucial.
Sonically, I'm going for about the level of detail, imaging, and transparancy that I get from my cd's. I'm sure that each step up this ladder will bring significant (some more than others) improvements. My question is, what price point should I be looking at to end up where I want to be?
Follow Ups:
and read. A modded analogue vintage tuner will do what you ask. The more modern tuners rarely sound this good and if any do they're very expensive. I agree with the other poster that I cannot recommend a modern digital tuner to an audiophile. Also I've not been that impressed by the Magnum Dynalab that my friend has. He isn't either as a matter of fact. My modded Kenwood Kt 7500 sounds like cd's sometimes if the recording is well done. I listen to a jazz station that broadcasts high quality and have a yagi antenna to make this possible. My tuner gets as much listening time as my cd player. Wasn't that long ago that you would have been hard pressed to convince me a tuner can sound this good.
hey,i am in accord w/ others - i have an sacd player, etc., but i find my "old" analog tuner so much fun that i would never recommend a digital tuner to an audiophoile. i now have an accuphase t-100, but for years i had a yamaha for which i paid $50 - sounded very good. the accuphase is heaven - and you could find one for less than the $700 you are willing to spend. but there are lots of units (much of the fun is in investigating the different models) available for a lot less that your $700 benchmark, certainly. a decent antenna is a must, as well, but doesn't have to be expensive. you can go overboard here, but i think that's the idea ....
I second the used tuner scenario....especially given the state of FM today.I have several tube tuners/receivers at my disposal....
...but my little Henry Kloss-designed KLH Model 18 tuner also sounds very nice...they can be had on Ebay for about $60......styling that you either love or hate...but very "plug and play." If you decide that FM is for you, you can think about an upgrade later.
Since purchasing my Fisher 400 receiver I am listening to mostly FM these days....but here in Boston we are blessed with a handful of great stations. I hope you find similar good fortune.
Not sure where you live but I'd suggest you think about the relative quality of broadcasts in your area. Here in the Monterey, Ca, area we are fortunate to have a couple of nice university stations along wtih an excellent classical station. Here, there's reason to spend on a good tuner. Elsewhere, I would have to consider what sources befure making the same decision.Assuming you're through that part, then, I'd suggest you also look at a well-restored vintage tuner in addition to the newer M-D line. I'm biased to Mac tuners, myself, so I'd not be a good source.
Cheers,
wwhen for $250 to $500 you can pick up used, vintage, analogue tuners which have better spec's, and more importantly sound. I picked up an Accuphase T101 last year for $400. It was mint, operates perfectly, and sounds as good as anything else that I have. Its far better than my last Magnum, especially tonally. There are a lot of excellent vintage tuners out there for sale just now. There is even a web site dedicated to tuners which will tell you how they compare.
. . . I would say spend ca. $250-300 of your budget on a rooftop antenna with rotor and some good downlead. Whatever you have left spend on the tuner. No matter how good the tuner is it won't perform up to its capabilities otherwise.
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