[IronLion]

So, I'm planning on getting my girlfriend a pair of Audio Engine A2's for her bedroom, and she wants a tuner of some sort to listen to FM radio in the mornings, nothing that requires spectacular sound quality obviously.  Premiums in her case would be on design and small form factor, and something without built-in speakers because I want to hook it up to the A2's.  I would hopefully think that one could find something like this in the $50 range?  Anybody have any suggestions? 

[Hogg]

Look on Ebay.  You'll find something.

http://electronics.listings.ebay.com/Home-Audio_Tuners-AM-FM_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ3282QQsocmdZListingItemList

                                                     Jim

[MarkR7]

There could be all sorts of comments for this topic....but I will refrain!   

[TONEPUB]

Didn't HK used to make some small components back in the 80's?

I also seem to remember having a very small Technics back then,
but can't remember the model number of that either!!

check ebay!

[ohenry]

She could use something such as a Tivoli PAL by using a 1/8th inch jack to stereo RCA adapter to get a signal from the headphone jack.  The little Tivoli isn't the last word in sound, but is a cool looking, good little portable radio that she can use elsewhere if desired.  The downside is its $140 price tag.

Other portables without speakers may be attractive if she wants to go extremely small.

[doug s.]

these are actually supposed to be half-decent.  they're definitely half-rack size...   

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260161266395
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320105667198
http://www.amazon.com/Teac-Reference-T-H500-Stereo-Tuner/dp/B00006I5VS


complete system, w/tuna at bottom right:


doug s.

[Wayner]

So your looking for something more or less like a portable radio with an antenna with some ouputs to plug into the hifi?

w

[IronLion]

I guess this sums it up, something "cute" wouldn't hurt either, my girlfriend cares more about how it will integrate into her bedroom rather than how it sounds.  I guess I thought maybe there was something out there like the Tivoli without built-in speakers and also significantly cheaper? 

So your looking for something more or less like a portable radio with an antenna with some ouputs to plug into the hifi?

w

[doug s.]

here's another one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280155022270


if you search ebay, you will find several small fm component tuners; many were made in the 80's that are half-sized like the teac i mentioned above.  buying used will definitely get you better prices...  these (and the sony above) are much more common in europe than in the usa...

doug s.

[bprice2]

And another.

[doug s.]

yup - another sony st-80f - buy-it-now price is $44.99.  these are actually half-decent tunas...  as a tuna freak, tho, i am not sure i'd pay that much for one, tho - i am more interested in sound quality.     for $50, you can get a seriously good tuna, one that is within spitting distance of the wery best...



doug s.

And another.

[doug s.]

remove the rack ears:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rack-Mount-FM-Tuner_W0QQitemZ160159420201


or don't install 'em:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290161642315


killer tuna that's not tiny, but smaller than normal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160158938690


prices on these are all over the map:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290160379208


doug s.