I am dismayed to learn that it is now the industry standard to have very poor AM tuners in aftermarket car radios. This was confirmed by car installation managers who certainly wanted to sell me a new unit, and Alpine’s technical service. I have gone through several Nakamichi and Sony ES head units since the mid-80s from, all of which had, among other great qualities, very good AM tuners.
Perhaps this doesn’t seem important to those listening only to CD or FM or digital satellite radio, but why should one replace their so-so factory radio with one that now get loads of engine noise, engine whine and turn signal clicks heard loudly over barely audible stations, even the higher wattage ones? In LA listening to traffic reports is critical to most drivers. Also, talk radio (don’t let Rupert the Great know about this trend) is mainly on AM and is a multi-million dollar business that won’t fade fast. Nor will the all-news stations, Lakers and Dodger games or what ever your local favorite teams are.
The current crop of “CD receivers” is far worse that tube radio in my parents ‘60 Chevy back in the day.
Just how many pennies are these fools saving?
