vintage FM tuner

this_is_vv · « **on:** 21 Sep 2013, 06:42 pm »

I really get a good classical channel on FM here. I am looking for a good FM tuner and my heart says go towards vintage ....so wanted to pop the question here..

though i have ONkyo 809 i kinda leaning towards the Vintage FM tuner that can go to a preamp and then to my Active XO speaker.

SO i guess good question is what FM tuner and what preamp to buy

V

SteveFord · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Sep 2013, 10:47 pm »

The Sherwood S-3000III, IV, and Vs are all really good sounding once they've been given a going over by a qualified tech.
I own one of each model, they're that good.
If you want to pull in a lot of stations, my Harman Kardon F500x is the champ.

Preamps, well, there's a lot of really good ones out there in all different price ranges; I guess it's all what matches up with the rest of your system.
I use Sonic Frontiers and deHavilland for what it's worth. Two totally different presentations but I like them both.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Sep 2013, 01:58 am »

second the sherwood. plus the base units propior to refurb are still a good value

this_is_vv · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Sep 2013, 04:24 am »

Quote from: SteveFord on 21 Sep 2013, 10:47 pm

The Sherwood S-3000III, IV, and Vs are all really good sounding once they've been given a going over by a qualified tech.
I own one of each model, they're that good.
If you want to pull in a lot of stations, my Harman Kardon F500x is the champ.

Preamps, well, there's a lot of really good ones out there in all different price ranges; I guess it's all what matches up with the rest of your system.
I use Sonic Frontiers and deHavilland for what it's worth. Two totally different presentations but I like them both.

any idea whats the fair price....

V

SteveFord · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Sep 2013, 11:09 am »

I got them for $45-$95 range and the alignment and check up ran around $125.

If you have some high efficiency speakers this might be a really nice combination once the old caps are replaced:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERWOOD-S3000IV-TUNER-MATCHED-S5000II-AMP-80-WATT-NICE-UNITS-L-K-125NR-/331028971106?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4d12dd3e62

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Sep 2013, 02:53 pm »

forgot to add for vintage pre amps, its a flavor thing really once you get beyond features. Just to toss a few up and depending on vintage and price range

fisher 400c
joule electra la 100-150

hakka26 · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Sep 2013, 08:21 am »

Quote from: SteveFord on 22 Sep 2013, 11:09 am

I got them for $45-$95 range and the alignment and check up ran around $125.

If you have some high efficiency speakers this might be a really nice combination once the old caps are replaced:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERWOOD-S3000IV-TUNER-MATCHED-S5000II-AMP-80-WATT-NICE-UNITS-L-K-125NR-/331028971106?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4d12dd3e62

I have that amp but with a different tuner that has separate AM/FM bands and cat eye tubes for tuning meters. No cabinets as they were installed as an option in the walls of a house for a sound system. IIRC mine has 7591 tubes, they mount at an angle.

SteveFord · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Oct 2013, 12:20 am »

Get this gone over by a qualified tech and you'll have something really nice:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERWOOD-S-3000-V-TUBE-FM-STEREO-TUNER-/261298293170?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3cd69789b2

No affiliation.

rlee8394 · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Oct 2013, 12:24 am »

Just grabbed that Sherwood S-3000 V with buy it now price of $115.00 including shipping!!! If it is as good as described here, I consider they buy a steal!! Looking forward to listening to it.

Ron

SteveFord · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Oct 2013, 09:28 pm »

Cool!
Get it brought back up to spec and you should have a real beauty.
I've got 4 Sherwoods and they all still have the original tubes - they all needed an alignment when I got them and my 3000-V needed a solder joint reflowed and that's been it.
Let us know how it goes for you, please.

this_is_vv · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Oct 2013, 09:49 pm »

Please do report....

V

rlee8394 · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Oct 2013, 10:49 pm »

Will do. I sent an email to Mark Wilson at Absolute Sound Labs for an estimate for a check up and alignment. Anxious to see how it sounds compared to my Sony XDR-F1HD.

Ron

SteveFord · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Oct 2013, 12:57 am »

If you need to borrow the service manual or run into any snags, let me know.
I've got a couple of places that can hook you up if need be.

rlee8394 · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Oct 2013, 02:43 am »

Thanks Steve,

The tuner is scheduled for delivery on Wednesday 10/23. Already downloaded the schematic and four page Operation, Installation, and Service manual. Is that the same service manual that you have?

Ron

martyo · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Oct 2013, 08:32 am »

Should be very nice.

SteveFord · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Oct 2013, 11:37 pm »

Yep, that's the manual I have.
Glad you found the download as my manual is misfiled somewhere or other right now.

rlee8394 · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Oct 2013, 05:05 pm »

The S-3000 V showed up yesterday. Listening to it now. Sounds quite good. Although I've downloaded a couple schematics, they don't seem to apply to my tuner. I think I need the version S-3000 V 5 Tuner Service Manual Serial no. 346827 to 348326, since my serial number is 347139. Can't find it online other than for sale. No big deal purchasing, just want to make sure it's for my version. My tuner has (3) 6GH8 and (2) 12AT7 tubes.

The only issues I have found are that the dial pointer reads 200 kHz low when a station is tuned, and the "Hush" switch doesn't seem to have any effect. Is the "Hush" switch some sort of inter station mute function?

Thanks,
Ron

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Oct 2013, 08:11 pm »

This guy did a great job on my sherwood a few years ago. Check over at audiokarma to see if hes still working.

http://www.radioxtuners.com/ i think its mike williams

Wayner · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Oct 2013, 08:15 pm »

SteveFord · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Oct 2013, 09:22 pm »

I must have left the manual at the shop a year ago - the only one I have is for the later 3000-Vs which is what you found and I only have the schematic.
They continually made running changes on these things so you want to get the one for your serial number.
The Hush should be an inter-channel muting feature.
The place I used is Harrisburg Radio Labs up here in our beautiful (?) state capitol.