Good, cheap tuners . . . Suggestions Please

Posted by: Todd A on 28 March 2001

My tuner died. It lasted about 20 years and served its purpose well. (A friend gave it to me as a gift a couple years back.) But now I am sad. I cannot listen to my beloved radio programs. Given that I am financially strapped at this point, and that trying to sell the wife on an expensive tuner would be utterly pointless, I am hoping for some advice on some good, "cheap" tuners.

As to price, I'm thinking in the $500 or so range (or about 300 pounds or $750 Canadian dollars for those of you in the appropriate countries). I know Marantz makes a $600 tuner and my dealer may cut me a deal, but other than that, are there any good tuners out there in my price range? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Posted on: 28 March 2001 by Joe Rosovitz

Todd,

I would recommend searching for a decent used tuner on AudioGon or similar web site. There were a couple of Magnum Dynalabs in your price range a couple of days ago. Try for a FT101 or 101A. If you can find a Nakamichi ST-7 that would be decent as well but I would save your $$$ and see if you can find a NAT03 used (there was one on AudioGon last week).

When you're ready, get the NAT01.

Posted on: 28 March 2001 by Rico

Used Quad FM4 is a reasonable tuna. Not sure if they're too common in your part of the world.

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Peter Stockwell

If memeory serves, stations are separated by a minimum of 50khz in europe and a minimum of 200khz in the US. So your UK tuner should work.

The otehr way round might be a problem if the tuner has 'digitally sythetized tuning', i.e. if the increments are in 200khz steps, coz they start at .1 to .3 to .5 etc. I bought a CD/AM/FM unit for a car in the US once, and it never worked in the UK because of the tuning steps.

luckily I was able to exchange it at the store I bought for something I could use ... ouf

Peter

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes

I'm a big fan of the NAD402 - very simple interface, cheap and superb musical sound.

May be able to pick one up for pocket money second hand, since they all suffer from the backlight to the LCD failing after 3 years or so, and judging from the comments I've seen on the Web most people assume the display has failed.

It's easy to fix with either new bulb (there's two festoon lamps for illumination), or a string of suitable LED's, which will then last forever.

The other common problem was a buzzing mains transformer - either listen carefully, or if you're a dab hand with a soldering iron, there's loads of space for a sizeable toroidal transformer in the case, which improves sound for very little cost.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Phil Sparks

From memory most of the 'traditional' analogue UK tuners used to come out of comparative tests fairly well so may be worth looking out for. For instance - there was a groovy A&R tuner that matched the A60 amp (maybe it was called the T60?) which had a line of LEDs rather than a tuning dial - this would be 15 or so years old by now though. Alternatively the Creeks were always reviewed well as was the Onix tuner (I'd love one of these with the matching amp for the office).

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Frank Abela

Todd,

Cheapest halfway reasonable tuner on the market is the Denon TU260LII at £130 RRP.

The Arcam tuners are pretty good for relatively sensible money (the DiVA tuner is £279.90 if memory serves).

The Rega Radio 2000 still has that tiny display, but has the even worse looks of the 2000 series. It's meant to sound pretty good for £350.

If you're worried or want DAB, you could go for the videologic which isn't far off the Arcam DAB tuner in performance but only costs £300.

Regards,
Frank.

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by bob atherton

Todd,

I would definitely look out for a 2nd hand Creek.
I went from Creek to NAT 01 because I could not find anything else in-between except for cheaper Naim tuners.

Bob.

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Cheapest halfway reasonable tuner on the market is the Denon TU260LII at £130 RRP.

99 quid from Richer Sounds!

Tony.

PS Two fabulous tuners from a second hand perspective are the Onix that matches the OA21 which is allegedly right up there with the best, and the Sugden T48. Both are a really cool shoebox shape, and would happily share a shelf with a half width Naim box.

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Rico

Oh yeah, and some of the Creek tuners are pretty good for the money, esp used.

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Todd A

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Looks like I got some listenin' to do.

Posted on: 30 March 2001 by Ron The Mon

Todd,
Does your wife really consider $500 "cheap" for a tuner?
If so, you're better off selling her on the idea of getting a top-notch antenna and a $300. tuner. The best sounding budget set-up in the US is a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna with a Creek tuner.(The Onix, Sugden, Quad, Roksan, Rega, etc. are rare in the US depending where you live)
The ST-2 sounds best up-high outside but it can be mounted unobtrusively behind a curtain or in a closet inside with decent results(it is a whip antenna).

Ron The Mon

Posted on: 30 March 2001 by Todd A

quote:
Does your wife really consider $500 "cheap" for a tuner?

No. I do. She actually thinks $500 is outrageous, but she won't divorce me if I buy one in that price range. Were I to try to buy a Naim tuner, that would cause some serious problems, even though she admitted to liking the look of the 5 Series gear I bought. Your idea of buying a good, expensive antenna is intriguing. I shall consider that option.

Posted on: 30 March 2001 by Phil Barry

Ron's comment highlights the importance of the antenna in true source first fashion. And in true source-first fashion, real world experience bears him out. Thirty-plus years ago, Dynaco argued that a top flight antenna with a cheap tuner would outperform a normal antenna with a top Dyna tuner.

With respect to the Magnum antenna (and the similar Fanfare one), yes, the antenna is unobtrusive, being a slim whip-type. It is also reportedly excellent in external high-wind environments, and it's cheap at $80. I have 3 issues with it, however -

1) the antenna is unobtrusive, but the cable is not;
2) it is not suitable where multipath is a big problem;
3) it's not a long distance solution (10-15 miles)?.

So, Todd, if you can mount an roof antenna, and/or if you're far from the transmitter, include the antenna cost in your calculations.

M-D also and antenna amp that is reportedly effective. I'd be looking at a new FM solution, except that WNIB in Chicago is gone, and the formerly great WFMT now sucks.

Phil

Posted on: 30 March 2001 by Rico

for those who've not been there ...

Magnum-Dynalab ST-2

So is this the dog's bollocks solution for those who can't use a big antenna? Does it deliver the music as well as the signal?

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

Posted on: 31 March 2001 by Ron The Mon

Rico,
You said:

quote:
Is this the solution for those who
can't use a big antenna? Does it deliver the
music as well as the signal?

The ST-2 is the solution for those who
can use a big antenna. Two Naim dealers
whose hearing I trust say the ST-2 is as good
or almost as good as the Ron Smith units in
sound quality. I've yet to compare. When I get
an NAT-01 this summer I will also get a Ron
Smith just to compare and ease my mind.
Speaking strictly on distant reception there is no doubt; a localized, focused antenna will
receive a signal where an ST-2 won't. But then
again as stated above a Kremlin will get
stations an NAT-01 won't. Which do you want?
And at what cost? I repeat: in the U.S. you
have to spend triple the cost to get the sonic
equal of an ST-2/Creek combo.

Phil,
You said

quote:
I have 3 issues with it, however -
1) the antenna is unobtrusive, but the cable is not;
2) it is not suitable where multipath is a big
problem;
3) it's not a long distance solution (10-15
miles)?.

1)the cabling to an ST-2 is the same as using an outdoor aerial! It is also less obtrusive than an ugly dipole thumbtacked to a wall or laying on the floor(or a cheesy indoor directional).
2) I live in an area of Detroit where there are about 20 transmitters(AM, FM, and TV) within a 10 mile radius as well as high-rises and worst, one block from my home are 100 foot tall major power lines. I do get bad RF through my Naim amps but no multi-path from the ST-2.
3) All the stations I get from the ST-2 are 30 miles, or less, away. When I want to hear the King Biscuit in Toledo,(or Sarnia or Kalamazoo stations)I need to connect my "directional" antenna to get those but they are 60-100 miles away!!

Ron The Mon

P.S.
As Ron Toolsie once mentioned, the major problem with the ST-2 is its striking resemblance to a lightning-rod so make sure you ground it properly if it is mounted outside.

Posted on: 01 April 2001 by Rico

Ron

Thanks for the response. I think this bears investigation - I think I'll pick one up soon!

Anyone know who the UK distributor is?

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

Posted on: 06 April 2001 by Mike Hanson

I've got a Ron Smith G17 now (scooped it on eBay), but my wife would prefer not to have a big, ugly antenna on the roof. Since I'm in a big city, albeit with no tall buildings or other metal structures nearby, I might be able to get away with a whip antenna.

I've told my wife I'll start with a whip in the stereo room (ground floor). The next step (if necessary) is to move it to the roof. The final solution would be to replace it with the Ron Smith on the roof. Even in that case I would probably extend the mast and mount the whip on top. That would give me the best of both worlds, although I may have to swap cables occasionally.

The other factor is that I don't know whether I'll listen to much radio. I don't even have a tuner in my apartment right now (other than the clock radio), but I suspect our dynamic in the upcoming house will be much different.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 06 April 2001 by NB

Todd

Try a Technics, I have had one for 10 years and it only cost £99.

It has done me proud.

Posted on: 06 April 2001 by John C

"but my wife would prefer not to have a big, ugly antenna on the roof....I've told my wife I'll start with a whip in the stereo room (ground floor). "

Christ Mike that'll teach her not to interfere with you and your stereo!

John

Posted on: 07 April 2001 by Mike Hanson

I'll definitely share that one with Jill.

Have a good day.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 07 April 2001 by Richard F

I own an Cambridge Audio T55 Tuner. It was originally purchased back in 1974 for the sum of £105 along with the matching Amp (surprisingly cheaper at £100). I have nothing but praise for this tuner and am always on the look out for another. I like to listen to Radio 3 late at nights and usually find myself smiling as the system fades away and the music engulfs me. Infact I now hate my CD player (Meridian 506.20) as it doesn't even come close to keeping up with the T55! The cd player sounds flat and undyanmic by comparison.

Posted on: 18 April 2001 by Phil Barry

The ST2 is great where high gain and/or multipath rejection are not critical. Not only can it be used indoors; also, it presents a small profile to wind, so if it's mounted outdoors, it'll probably stay up a long time.

Fanfare makes a copy at just a few bucks more, if you can find a Fanfare dealer but no an MD one.

Phil

Posted on: 02 June 2001 by Jez Quigley

Following the installation of a new FM aerial (now gives a 70dB signal),I've had three cheapo tuners plugged into the Naim this week, a Pioneer (can't remember the model number - as if it matters), the Denon TU 260 II (£109 from Richer Sounds), and a Sony ST SE 300. The Sony (£89.99 from Curry's)is a right little performer, incredible bargain, and will be staying until I have the funds for a NAT01 (if ever), the Denon is now relegated to the Meridian/Kef kitchen system, and the Pioneer I gave to my mother to go with her Pioneer 400 and Wharfedale Diamond II's - curiously it sounds better there than it did in either of my systems.