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I have a 2-channel stereo music system and unfortunately, I have bad FM reception in my area. I tried a friend's Magnum Dynalab MD-90 FM analog tuner but the signal was too weak to enjoy my favorite local FM stations, even with the addition of the Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna. Mind you, the antenna was indoors as my wife would NOT allow me to drill a hole through the outside wall of our living room.
So now I'm considering going with an Internet Tuner to listen to my favorite local FM stations online.
What would you recommend that sounds great, is easy to setup & use and is not too expensive (below $500, if possible)?
Follow Ups:
Update, I ended up purchasing a Sonos Connect on Canuck Audio Mart (CAM) for a real good deal and connected it to my DAC via digital coax.
I must say that for Internet Radio streaming, I'm pleasantly surprised. The Sonos app works flawlessly, is easy to use and Internet Radio on the Sonos via my DAC sound pretty good.
Thanks to all for your feedback!
I purchased an internet tuner from Grace last year and enjoy it very much. I run its digital output to my Bel Canto 2.5 DAC. The overall sound quality doesn't match my previous MD 102, but its not bad at all and with Pandora, I have a lot more options, as well as the Linn Radio network which transmits at a higher rate than Pandora (320 kbps). The Grace is not expensive (around 150.00 on Amazon or Ebay) and is controlled with my iPhone, which shows the album art work and allows 10 presets.
Edits: 10/12/14
The thing to do first is to find where on the map your desired* FM station's transmitters are, and how far. Use the sight called FM Fool - US site - for their positions. And the bearing/s from your home to them, get a map and plot them on to it.
*I'm assuming you have FM in the car/s, so that will tell you which stations you can be bothered with. In my case here in Canberra, Australia, there are just two out of more than ten.
IF they are all in one direction - or nearly - a spread double rhombic - see the article here in FAQ - just may be the go.
What else is up in your loft? Insulation? Fibreglass can be a complete bugger to work near - even just batts. In which case a yagi and a rotator might be a quicker install.
Listening, out.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
While Tim overlooked your SOAF issue, his point about about a decent antenna is valid.
Will the wife allow you to mount a plate on an inside wall? If she agrees, mount a female "F" connector plate on an inside wall close to where the tuner will be placed. Build a rhombic antenna, as described many times by Tim, in the attic. "Fish" RG6U through the inside wall down from the attic.
"Where there is a will, there is a way!"
Eli D.
In a tuner review that he couldn't install an outdoor FM antenna because of wife acceptance factor, the infamous "hole in the wall" excuse. He made it sound as if an RG6U cable causes a fist sized hole in the drywall. I commented, asking how they got by without electricity, since AC outlets require "a hole in the wall".
Your solution is the solution for that situation, Eli, and it's the same one I suggested to Tellig.
A coax wall plate. If someone feels that one of these, low on the wall of my listening room would be too obtrusive, I believe we'd be having words.
It's not the hole in the drywall the problem, it's a hole going through the outside foundation wall that is the problem.
In the past, we've had lots of water infiltration issues with our home (which have been repaired now) that my wife has now become "paranoid" when it comes to drilling through outside walls. Plus, she's a cnacer patient and ever since she's been on her meds, she doesn't seem to reason properly (it's been really hard to deal with).
I like the idea of an antenna in the attic, I'll see if I can give it a try, when I have some time.
Thanks to all for your feedback!
I re-read your post, and realized you were talking about the exterior wall, not the interior wall. My apologies for not reading as carefully as I should have, and jumping on the "Be a man" bandwagon.
The structural concerns of installing an outdoor antenna (roof leaks, proper grounding, etc.) are valid ones, and make a lot more sense to me than a 3/8" drywall hole (i.e. Tellig). I paid to have a roof antenna installed on my last house, almost 20 years ago, and had a good friend who's a contractor, help me with the one on my current abode. Leaks concern me too, especially on the roof!
I'm glad you're considering an attic antenna. If you have the room, you could go as far as a mast mounted, motor rotated Yagi. If you don't, consider Timbo's often recommended Rhombic DIY antenna (Asylum link below).
Regarding your sick wife, I'm sorry to hear you're both going through that. I have experienced a family member suffering the irrationality that sickness and medication can cause. "Stressful" doesn't even begin to cover it.
Hang in there.
Thanks for the kind words and link!
I don't like about where I live is being low in a valley with two large mountains, one east one west. A high gain antenna on a 30 foot pole wouldn't help. That and anything good worth listening to is 100 miles away. If I drive to the top of the mountain, no problem! Oh well..........
ET
I had it in my head that you lived in North Carolina.
No but we still tent camp at the base of Mt. Mitchell every Thanksgiving week and plan to retire near there in the Asheville vicinity. We like Black Mountain a lot and Waynesville.
ET
"but the signal was too weak to enjoy my favorite local FM stations, even with the addition of the Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna."I do hope this doesn't mean that you first tried the MD 90 without any antenna at all?
It is possible that you could buy a decent tuner, and an appropriate antenna for where you live - installed on your roof or in the loft - for less than $500 all up.
You have given us evidence that the MD ST-2 just isn't an appropriate antenna for where you live. This is not surprising as it is not a particularly good antenna for FM.
But, that is not evidence that good FM reception is impossible where you are.
Lossy digital via the internet is unlikely to sound any better than Hybrid Digital aka HD which doesn't sound very good.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
Edits: 10/04/14
Tim,
The OP has a SOAF issue and the "Queen" rules.
Eli D.
It's my home, too!? Always start from there.
;-)!
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
Internet radio which I use via a Grace in the bedroom (cheap one w/one speaker) and via Squeezebox doesn't sound good due to low sampling rates from most stations.
As a former Magnum Dynalab dealer and active ham radio operator and antenna builder that antenna sucks even if you did mount it properly outside which you did not.
Put something in the attic or roof if you have a house or townhouse and feed it to the tuner with coax since todays house has so much noise producing junk. Give real FM a true try.
You can probably use a PC to pretest Internet radio and connect soundcard outs to your system. Always choose the best sampling rate if you have a choice
ET
Anyone try the Grace Digital tuner?
A Squeezebox or Transporter from Logitech (formerly Slim Devices) would work well. I don't they are still being produced but you can find one used. Good luck!
Note to self: proofread before hitting send!
there is an edit button, I use it a good bit. Especially the older I get.
ET
Thanks for the tip! It turns out the "Edit" button is not always visible in my browser (Chrome).
If you aren't logged in it doesn't show, maybe that was it.
ET
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