Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Dynaco FM-3 Tuner by JJ Analog

Model:	FM-3
Category:	Tuner
Suggested Retail Price:	$50-100 on eBay etc
Description:	preowned vacuum tube FM tuner
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by JJ Analog on December 26, 2001 at 23:32:13
IP Address: 63.31.128.207

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for the FM-3

This is a stock, factory wired FM-3. The tubes are of unknown age and types--I did not replace them when I bought the unit off eBay for about $65 plus shipping last year to replace a Pioneer TX-9100 tuner that died.
The FM-3 is a really nice little tuner! Reception is excellent, and the sound astonished me. I thought most FM stations were sending out crap; turns out it was my old tuner. FM actually sounds great on the FM-3, especially off of LP's, live concerts etc. The sound is smooth, warm, but very clear, with a wide soundstage. The highs are slightly soft, like other stock Dyna gear from the 60s-70s, but that helps to tame some broadcasts off CDs and still lets plenty of detail through. Radio actually is interesting to listen to!
There are plenty of these being offered cheap on the auction sites.

Product Weakness: Slightly soft high end; Early 60s ergonomics; Used gear will have some dings and nicks.
Product Strengths: Smooth, sweet, musical, reasonable detail off any decent station;
Insignificant investment for another sound source.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	modified Stereo 70
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	modified ARC SP-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	local college radio station
Speakers:	Fulton FMI-100 plus ESR-6 electrstat tweeters
Cables/Interconnects:	custom
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical, jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	15' x 20' x 8-12'
Room Comments/Treatments:	slightly on the bright side
Time Period/Length of Audition:	a few hours per week over the past year.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Slightly soft high end; Early 60s ergonomics; Used gear will have some dings and nicks.
Product Strengths:	Smooth, sweet, musical, reasonable detail off any decent station; Insignificant investment for another sound source.