Tuner Selection
Posted by: Mike in PA, USA on 08 January 2004
I'm curious what types of tuners those of you in the Northeast US are running. I live fairly close to the signals I would want to receive, which include a few college and public stations in the Philadelphia area (WHYY, WXPN). I'm not sure if getting a NAT05 would be effective or worth the expense, though. I would like something with the ability to have preset stations in memory.
-Mike
-Mike
Posted on: 08 January 2004 by davidf
Using a NAT 01-loving it and not for sale. I am on long island. Use a roof mounted antennae and get fine reception. I will use it until they stop sending signals!! david
Posted on: 08 January 2004 by Geofiz
For great sound and some presets I strongly suggest the venerable old Quad FM-4. The newer and more dear of the Magnum Dynalab series offer some presets (I think).
I use the FM-4 on my main system and the Magnum Dynalab FT101a on a second system.
Can not say how these stack up to a Naim tuner as I have not had the priviledge to hear one yet.
Cheers
I use the FM-4 on my main system and the Magnum Dynalab FT101a on a second system.
Can not say how these stack up to a Naim tuner as I have not had the priviledge to hear one yet.
Cheers
Posted on: 08 January 2004 by Arthur Bye
Mike:
There are a few stations in the Phila suburbs that are ok. Most of the others have pretty heavy compression, but are tolerable on a good analog tuner.
Radio-locator.com can give you a list for the area.
If you want the best sound you have to stick with an analog front end like a Nat-1 or a Nat-2. If you want preset and digital the sound is not as good. The Nat-05 is still pretty decent, but is bettered by a Linn Kremlin (also digital).
There's a Nat1 and a Nat2 for sale in Audiogon right now.
The tuner information center (tunerinfo.com)also has a lot of good write ups of older, cheaper tuners that you can get used. There's a lot of 20 year old analog tuners out there that are very very good.
You also need to get a good antenna. The Ron Smith antennas are pretty good but there's a lot of other brands that work better for conditions in the US. Most are cheaper too. Ron Smith antennas seem to do the sound thing better but are just so-so for range.
Arthur Bye
There are a few stations in the Phila suburbs that are ok. Most of the others have pretty heavy compression, but are tolerable on a good analog tuner.
Radio-locator.com can give you a list for the area.
If you want the best sound you have to stick with an analog front end like a Nat-1 or a Nat-2. If you want preset and digital the sound is not as good. The Nat-05 is still pretty decent, but is bettered by a Linn Kremlin (also digital).
There's a Nat1 and a Nat2 for sale in Audiogon right now.
The tuner information center (tunerinfo.com)also has a lot of good write ups of older, cheaper tuners that you can get used. There's a lot of 20 year old analog tuners out there that are very very good.
You also need to get a good antenna. The Ron Smith antennas are pretty good but there's a lot of other brands that work better for conditions in the US. Most are cheaper too. Ron Smith antennas seem to do the sound thing better but are just so-so for range.
Arthur Bye
Posted on: 09 January 2004 by Vaughn3D
When I am in the mood to listen to the radio, I just plug in my Tivoli model 1. It's mono, has no presets, but delivers some clean sound. This doesn't answer your question, but i thought I would offer it up. By the way, what did you decide with regard to your main system...you had posted some questions a few weeks ago.
Dan in North Jersey
Dan in North Jersey
Posted on: 09 January 2004 by Mike in PA, USA
Vaughn,
For the main system, I went with the Nait5 and CD5. I wanted the expandability of the integrated and felt the CD5's power supply upgradability would be a big plus. Since both units can be upgraded by a flatcap2, that would be an economical way to boost performance. Now I just need a tuner and also a DVD player. Considering if I should get one of the moderately priced universal players, such as the denon DVD-2300 and perhaps an inexpensive matching denon tuner just to get the job done. I doubt my radio listening will be that critical, and a flatcap would probably be a better way to spend money on the system at this point.
-Mike
For the main system, I went with the Nait5 and CD5. I wanted the expandability of the integrated and felt the CD5's power supply upgradability would be a big plus. Since both units can be upgraded by a flatcap2, that would be an economical way to boost performance. Now I just need a tuner and also a DVD player. Considering if I should get one of the moderately priced universal players, such as the denon DVD-2300 and perhaps an inexpensive matching denon tuner just to get the job done. I doubt my radio listening will be that critical, and a flatcap would probably be a better way to spend money on the system at this point.
-Mike
Posted on: 09 January 2004 by Wolf
Heya Mike I grew up ion the mail line way back in the 60's. Listened to WDAS and rocked out at 14 to some great experimental music and rock back then. Now I live in Los Angeles.
As to tuners my dealer discouraged me from getting a cheap tuner as they can sound tinny or hollow. I ended up with a Caspian tuner which is another British product and just have indoor rabbit ears since I'm in an apt. It has mega FM presets (no AM) but I only use about 3 usually. the Denon sounds like it would work (or was that the DVD player) and easy to buy. And the Fcap2 would definitely be worth while on your Nait5 and CD5.
glenn
Life is analogue
As to tuners my dealer discouraged me from getting a cheap tuner as they can sound tinny or hollow. I ended up with a Caspian tuner which is another British product and just have indoor rabbit ears since I'm in an apt. It has mega FM presets (no AM) but I only use about 3 usually. the Denon sounds like it would work (or was that the DVD player) and easy to buy. And the Fcap2 would definitely be worth while on your Nait5 and CD5.
glenn
Life is analogue