[kmanusa]

you can listen to my stations anytime, even when i am listening, that's the beauty of fm! 

re: tpt3001a, heinz preiss did mine; i think he's retired now.  i was fine w/the way it turned out.  i know some folks (like soundsmith) charge a ton for refurb.  heinz was quite reasonable, i thinkit cost me something like $250...  personally, i do not think it's worth it, since even something like a jvc fx1100bk or a hitachi ft8000 both go toe-to-toe performance wise w/the tandberg, and likely won't need anything other than a touch-up alignment.  and both can be found for $100, give or take...  i sold both my 3001a's, can't say i really miss them.

ymmv,

doug s.

Too bad Heinz retired,  I ended up paying way too much.   And while I think the Tandberg was a good tuner, I was surprised by the oddball parts and construction techniques they used, especially given the cost of the unit when new.  I really did not like the way the preset buttons failed, most any cheapo tuner would never have those kinds of problems.  I sold mine too and had to suffer through a drawn out transaction with a buyer who claimed I tried to sell him a 3001 (not a) and who did not believe that I had the unit refurbished even though I provided him a copy of the bill. I have an Onkyo T-4087 I bought for less than $50 that, while maybe not the best sounding tuner, can pull in at least many stations and won't need all the TLC the Tandberg did.

[doug s.]

never heard that onkyo, but many say they are noted more for reception than for sonics.  someone on the yahoo tuna forum posted about this - fantastic sound for small dinero:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1243561125&/JVC-FX-1100BK-tuner

you can read what some folks said about it (including me) on the tic:
http://fmtunerinfo.com/reviewsD-L.html#JVC

doug s.

you can listen to my stations anytime, even when i am listening, that's the beauty of fm! 

re: tpt3001a, heinz preiss did mine; i think he's retired now.  i was fine w/the way it turned out.  i know some folks (like soundsmith) charge a ton for refurb.  heinz was quite reasonable, i thinkit cost me something like $250...  personally, i do not think it's worth it, since even something like a jvc fx1100bk or a hitachi ft8000 both go toe-to-toe performance wise w/the tandberg, and likely won't need anything other than a touch-up alignment.  and both can be found for $100, give or take...  i sold both my 3001a's, can't say i really miss them.

ymmv,

doug s.

Too bad Heinz retired,  I ended up paying way too much.   And while I think the Tandberg was a good tuner, I was surprised by the oddball parts and construction techniques they used, especially given the cost of the unit when new.  I really did not like the way the preset buttons failed, most any cheapo tuner would never have those kinds of problems.  I sold mine too and had to suffer through a drawn out transaction with a buyer who claimed I tried to sell him a 3001 (not a) and who did not believe that I had the unit refurbished even though I provided him a copy of the bill. I have an Onkyo T-4087 I bought for less than $50 that, while maybe not the best sounding tuner, can pull in at least many stations and won't need all the TLC the Tandberg did.

[1ZIP]

All this is good info.  Right now I have a Carver TX 11 that is doing a pretty good job of picking up stations 30-60 miles away using an antenna hung in the window.  Plus given all the mountains (not hills) around here it's not bad.  But then I have nothing to compare it to either.  However what I've read about the Carver is that it is sensitive but leaves much to be desired in the sound department.  And Bryston, with a half way decent input, sounds exceptional!  So, using TIC, and their pharma font, I narrowed it down to a Kenwood 5020 or 990D and a Sansui 717 or 919.  Of course I could just use cable and get the same stations but that would take the fun out of the whole process.

[kmanusa]

I think you will pay a premium for the Sansui's.  One indirect consequence of sites like TIC is that certain highly rated tuners have really taken off on the used market.  I think what Doug is suggesting is a good strategy-- get your feet wet without spending too much by looking for tuners like the JVC FX1100BK.  You can sometimes find tuners like these at yard sales for $10 or $20!  If you are happy with them you can then take the plunge into Sansui, Kenwood, etc...

[kmanusa]

never heard that onkyo, but many say they are noted more for reception than for sonics.  someone on the yahoo tuna forum posted about this - fantastic sound for small dinero:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1243561125&/JVC-FX-1100BK-tuner

Being a ham operator and communications engineer, I guess I am more drawn to the "DX machine" kind of tuner!  The 4087 is a little brother to the 9090.  I had a heavily modified (by Ed Hanlon) Yamaha T-85 that was a real killer-- sounded pretty good too! Ed replaced a lot of caps in addition to installing a full line up of filters.

[doug s.]

never heard that onkyo, but many say they are noted more for reception than for sonics.  someone on the yahoo tuna forum posted about this - fantastic sound for small dinero:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1243561125&/JVC-FX-1100BK-tuner

Being a ham operator and communications engineer, I guess I am more drawn to the "DX machine" kind of tuner!  The 4087 is a little brother to the 9090.  I had a heavily modified (by Ed Hanlon) Yamaha T-85 that was a real killer-- sounded pretty good too! Ed replaced a lot of caps in addition to installing a full line up of filters.

the jvc is no sluch in the reception department, imo.  the yamaha t-85 is supposed to be wery nice; i have only owned a yamaha t-2 (another tandberg 3001a alternative).  (btw - the only difference between a 3001 and a 3001a is the color - 3001 is silver, 3001a is black.)  re: ed hanlon, he subs out all his work; i would suggest in the future going directly to a tech; why pay a middle-man?  and a neurotic manic-depressive one at that! 

I think you will pay a premium for the Sansui's.  One indirect consequence of sites like TIC is that certain highly rated tuners have really taken off on the used market.  I think what Doug is suggesting is a good strategy-- get your feet wet without spending too much by looking for tuners like the JVC FX1100BK.  You can sometimes find tuners like these at yard sales for $10 or $20!  If you are happy with them you can then take the plunge into Sansui, Kenwood, etc...

tu919's are not cheap - plan on ~$600 or so.  but, $300 is top dollar for a tu717; careful shopping can often find them for less - sometimes substantially so.  and, a tu517 is the same tuna, sans record calibrate feature - these usually also sell for less...  and, yard sales/craigslist is also a way to find tunas cheap, for sure.  the only reason i bought my second fx1100bk, after i sold my first, is cuz i saw it on c/l for $20, i offered the guy $10, he accepted, and i picked it up on my way home from work.  i yust couldn't help myself!   

doug s.

[1ZIP]

Yes, the prices are up there, a 919 recently went for over $700 on ebay and the 717s are going past $300 for a really nice one. And the 517s are in the mid $200s.  Vintage is in I guess!

[doug s.]

Yes, the prices are up there, a 919 recently went for over $700 on ebay and the 717s are going past $300 for a really nice one. And the 517s are in the mid $200s.  Vintage is in I guess!

i would be happy to sell my nice tu717 for "mid $200s" if anyone is interested.     but, to be honest, i do believe if you are patient, you can find these for less than the prices you have found.     check out the recent auctions on ebay - many tu-717's, (most, actually), sold for <$200:
http://completed.shop.ebay.com/items/__tu-717_W0QQ_nkwZtuQ2d717QQLHQ5fCompleteZ1QQ_dmptZVintageQ5fElectronicsQ5fR2QQ_flnZ1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em283?_rdc=1

while a tu919 did sell for almost $800, another one sold for <$550:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180342431888

nice tu-517's have sold for <$100:
http://completed.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQLHQ5fCompleteZ1?_nkw=tu-517&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=tu-919&_osacat=0

patience is a wirtue!   

doug s.

[1ZIP]

Yes indeed it is and I'm in no rush.

[kmanusa]

the jvc is no sluch in the reception department, imo.  the yamaha t-85 is supposed to be wery nice; i have only owned a yamaha t-2 (another tandberg 3001a alternative).  (btw - the only difference between a 3001 and a 3001a is the color - 3001 is silver, 3001a is black.)  re: ed hanlon, he subs out all his work; i would suggest in the future going directly to a tech; why pay a middle-man?  and a neurotic manic-depressive one at that! 

I think my tuner buying days are mostly behind me. Then again who knows what may show up at a yard sale or hamfest that might get my attention. 

[kmanusa]

Yes indeed it is and I'm in no rush.

Don't forget yard sales and flea markets, you can get lucky at these and find something good at a low price!

[kmanusa]

btw - the only difference between a 3001 and a 3001a is the color - 3001 is silver, 3001a is black.) 

I tried to explain that to the guy but he was convinced I was trying to pull a fast one.  He eventually decided to keep the tuner-- he got a completely refurbished 3001a for the price stock units sell on the auction site, not a bad deal indeed.

[1ZIP]

Speaking of price....check out the latest listing on Audiogon.   A TU 919 in great condition for $799.00!!

Satan get thee behind me!!

[gtaphile]

I have a Magnum Dynalab FT101A and it is used weekly, especially in the summer when we have guests over and are in and out. It sounds very musical and my kids, often hearing FM in the car, enjoy tuning to their station, especially since that is the extent of what most of them are allowed to touch on the main system. 

[doug s.]

I have a Magnum Dynalab FT101A and it is used weekly, especially in the summer when we have guests over and are in and out. It sounds very musical and my kids, often hearing FM in the car, enjoy tuning to their station, especially since that is the extent of what most of them are allowed to touch on the main system.

i am glad to hear others who enjoy listening to fm.  the majority of my critical listening is done w/fm, not yust for background music.   

now, i do not mean to offend, but if you have a revealing system, you owe it to yourself to get a quality sounding tuna - you would be amazed at how good fm can sound.  and, no, the ft101a ain't it.  you could find something wintage at 1/3 the cost that will be appreciably better sounding - more dynamic, better frequency extension, better soundstaging...  go to fmtunerinfo.com and check out its associated yahoo tuna forum for good info on fm and tunas...

best,

doug s.

[1ZIP]

I was pleasantly surprised when I turned on the TU 717 how found how enjoyable it really is.  It doesn't match a well recorded and engineered CD on an all Bryston set-up but the sound is good none the less.  It will be even better when the tuner gets back from Mike's at Radio X.

[gtaphile]

Doug

Thanks I will check that out.