High quality, low cost Japaneese Sushi (tuner- get it?)

Occam · « **on:** 6 Jan 2009, 07:58 pm »

Sony has a FM/AM/HD $100 tuner, XDR-F1HD that has impressed many.

http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/xdr-f1hd.htm

Some have opined that it is simply the best tuner ever for FM DXing, with spectacular FM stereo reception with less than ideal signals. I've no personal experience with it.
Simple mods have been posted for disabling the HD override to FM stereo, improving the analog, etc.... And its got a nice, straitforward linear ps.

Hot nekk'd pic -

FWIW,
Paul

ltr317 · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 09:40 pm »

Paul,

Reading the heading, I thought you were going to talk about fresh fish.

The other Paul

Occam · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 09:50 pm »

Hey, the other Paul,

Well, I edited the Topic Title, so now I'll appear even sillier..... but folks might actually know the true subject.

Here are some more links -
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7GGLR&q=sony+XDR-f1&btnG=Search
http://www.rosestone.me.uk/XDR.html
http://www.beveragestuff.net/4mcveystestin/dadstuff/Sony_review.htm
http://home.comcast.net/~dlp85x/review.htm

Regards,
Paul

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 09:51 pm »

I like my tuna spicey.

Looks cool. I am a bit surprised by the sparceness of the main board. I guess I thought it'd be quite complex (although I can't see the underside).

Planning to do mods?

Occam · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 10:16 pm »

Josh,

Actually, the circuit is very complex, the majority housed in those 2 upright sardine cans. The analog filter and output opamps are on the underside. The links already have some tweeks, and suggestions for simplifying and improving the analog outputs. Some shows how to open one of those cans and optimally align the fm circuitry) The complexity and sophistication of the adaptive dsp analog fm detection is mind boggling.
In other links, there's mods to run it off a SLA battery. And obviously, I immediately forcused on the linear supply and wondered what DIY mods might be appropriate (or inappropriate

)
A diy Chris VH flavor 3 powercord -
http://venhaus1.com/diymains.html
and obviously

, a diy Felix might be a worthwhile improvement.

No, I don't think it will replace the very best analog tuners used with rotating antennas, but the little sucker is only $100, and in certain applications, world class.

Regards,
Paul

ltr317 · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 10:26 pm »

For the price, it looks to be a bargain. I'll keep this unit in mind if and when I look to buy a tuna.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 10:58 pm »

Paul....

Jim/Hogg has this Sony HD tuner....says he enjoys it.

A past thread....

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=58649.0

Occam · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jan 2009, 11:42 pm »

Well dang! Jim allways gets the coolest stuff first.

I'm truly sorry I didn't become aware of this while the $50 rebate was available. This is incredibly sophisticated technology. This will teach me to never let a NY Rave post go unread.

Thanks,
Paul

andyr · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 01:45 am »

Hi Paul,

This is a great little toy. Can you tell me whether its PS is only suitable for your 110v or can be switched to 240v as well?

Thanks,

Andy

ltr317 · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 01:49 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 6 Jan 2009, 10:58 pm

Paul....

Jim/Hogg has this Sony HD tuner....says he enjoys it.

A past thread....

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=58649.0

Chris,

I did hear Jim's tuna in the den at his Rave. I thought the sound was really good for a tuna but didn't look to see who made it. Thanks for putting the two together.

Paul

doug s. · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 02:48 am »

i own the xdr-f1hd; it gets difficult-signal stations cleanly in stereo, better than any other tuna i own. sonically, it's ok on its own, better on analog stations than on hd stations. doing the mod to force analog when the station broadcasts in hd would be definitely worthwhile. not up to the sonics of better wintage analog tunas, tho, imo. its sound is a bit lean, and fatiguing after listening for a while. fine for background listening. its sonics are improved substantially by placing a tube buffer stage between it and your preamp, more so than w/other gear i have used buffer stages with. this fills out the sound and reduces listening fatigue. w/a tube buffer, its sonics come close to the better analog tunas...

doug s.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 04:22 am »

Speaking of Sushi.....

Did you happen to see this story in the N.Y. Times.....

ecramer · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 06:19 am »

I picked up one of these right before Hogg's last rave they do work really nice.

ED

Tyson · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 07:02 am »

I've got a sansui I'd be willing to let go, PM me.

Toka · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 09:11 am »

Gotta echo some earlier points...fantastic front end, ergonomics and ultimate sound quality lacking compared to the established flagships. I'd love for something new to come out that'll blow them away (it'll save me some time/money/grief, thats for sure) but so far no dice. Don't know that anyone with the skills has any interest, alas.

konut · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 12:11 pm »

Does anyone know if its possible to mod this to get a digital out? I'm thinking the general unhappiness with the sound is the wimpy analog output. Groundbreaking tuner specs though.

Occam · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 01:13 pm »

Briefly,

Andyr - I don't know if the tuna has a primary on its power transformer that can be rewired for 240 VAC. Additionally, a N.A. spec tuner would have to be modded for 50us de-emphasis from the 75us de-emphasis used here. There are mods in the urls I posted for this.

Doug, et al - If one needs a tube buffer to make it listenable, then the sand state output cries out for improvement. The initial mod for treble rolloff correction removes 2 caps from each channels signal path. The links also have a mod to the ps that generates a split rail for an improved output stage. This is not to say that a tube buffer wouldn't still be an improvement.

konut - While both the HD and the analog AM/FM detection performs digital machinations, both are performed inside their respective 'sardine cans', outputting analog. I don't know of any digital out mods.

Regards,
Paul

konut · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 01:43 pm »

Quote from: Occam on 7 Jan 2009, 01:13 pm

konut - While both the HD and the analog AM/FM detection performs digital machinations, both are performed inside their respective 'sardine cans', outputting analog. I don't know of any digital out mods.

Regards,
Paul

Bummer! Any sardine can hackers out there? Thanks Paul!

rodge827 · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 01:46 pm »

Gents,

Asked for and received one for Christmas

. I have it set up with an indoor antenna for now. Very pleased with its performance

When the weather here in NJ breaks I'll be installing an outdoor roof antenna. I have a Fanfare FM-2G from a project that never happened with an old pre-pro.

I'm not married to this antenna and since I have a little time is there possibly a better antenna that I should use with this unit ? Any input would be appreciated.

Chris

doug s. · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Jan 2009, 02:00 pm »

chris,

a $5 rat-shack wire dipole (or, the antenna that came w/your xdr-f1hd) will work so much better than that fanfare antenna you have, it isn't even funny.

otherwise, for indoor use, try any cheap fm/tv rabbit ears antennae; make sure the fm trap is turned off, if there is one...

doug s.

Quote from: rodge827 on 7 Jan 2009, 01:46 pm

Gents,

Asked for and received one for Christmas . I have it set up with an indoor antenna for now. Very pleased with its performance When the weather here in NJ breaks I'll be installing an outdoor roof antenna. I have a Fanfare FM-2G from a project that never happened with an old pre-pro.

I'm not married to this antenna and since I have a little time is there possibly a better antenna that I should use with this unit ? Any input would be appreciated.

Chris