Is FM bound for the graveyard?

Dan Kolton · « **Reply #120 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 10:53 pm »

Doug,
After I showed my wife your tuna porn, she said "Doug, step away from the tuna...."

Toka · « **Reply #121 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 05:43 am »

Great pics! Looks like a Yamaha TX-1000 in the mix...thats what I have at the moment.

doug s. · « **Reply #122 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 05:50 am »

all, your comments are funny. what's really funny to me is, compared to some of the folks over on the yahoo tuna forum where i hang out, i have only a "moderate" affliction. and, y'all didn't even get to see pics of the other nad, creek, larsholt, rotel, philips, sherwood, draco, revox, heathkit, pilot, & nikko tunas i have!

doug s.,
anyone wanna buy a tuna? i need to thin the school!

doug s. · « **Reply #123 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 05:56 am »

Quote from: Toka on 27 Nov 2009, 05:43 am

Great pics! Looks like a Yamaha TX-1000 in the mix...thats what I have at the moment.

this is a fine tuna, for sure. mine hasn't been modded, but was recently refurb'd and aligned. great sound, and great reception. it is at or near the top of several folk's lists over at the yahoo tuna forum. it's almost embarrassing how little i paid for mine, considering it's a conserwative 9/10 appearance-wise & in great working condition. i wasn't in the market for it, but at the price, i couldn't help myself. even my therapist understands.

doug s.

doug s. · « **Reply #124 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 06:27 am »

want a tuna that will easily riwal the best out there sonically at any price? need only very very good and not sony xdr-f1hd-type reception? like tubes? like wintage? if this one really works as adwertized, you cannot go wrong, even at the buy-it-now price. and, its cosmetics are excellent:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250536235743

a tuna buddy of mine is selling his hi-zoot modded refurb'd sansui tu-919, which jim rivers, (of fmtunerinfo.com "shootout" fame), actually slightly preferred, (in stock form), to a stock sansui tu-x1. what's my friend keeping in his main rig? a refurb'd sherwood s3000v. btw, if you want the tu-919, certainly a fine tuna that the seller told me he thinks he will regret selling:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1264096673&/Sansui-TU-919-Bill-Ammons-modi

in his ad, he states:
"There is no doubt that this tuner, thanks to the Ammons modifications, is one of the best possible tuners one can get at any price."
he's telling the truth - it is. even w/no mods, it is. and bill ammons does excellent work; i own a tuna that he's worked on, and used to own two others. but, at least as far as sonics are concerned, the same can be said of the sherwood - "one of the best possible tuners one can get at any price."

reception-wise, while this sherwood is wery good, you can do better. (the older sherwoods - before the s3000ll iterations - will have a little better reception, but be a hair behind sonically, tho they will still sound fantastic.)

doug s.

turkey · « **Reply #125 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 01:40 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 26 Nov 2009, 03:43 am

so much tuna, so little time.

I guess everyone needs a hobby. I cleaned out my basement a while back and sold some old cruft like that. It's amazing how much people will pay for something just because it has toobs.

turkey · « **Reply #126 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 01:59 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 27 Nov 2009, 06:27 am

want a tuna that will easily riwal the best out there sonically at any price? need only very very good and not sony xdr-f1hd-type reception? like tubes? like wintage? if this one really works as adwertized, you cannot go wrong, even at the buy-it-now price. and, its cosmetics are excellent:

As far as I'm concerned, tuners are all about the front end. The tuner that pulls in stations the best _is_ the best. Even what Frank used to call "mundane" audio circuitry is more than capable of handling what stations broadcast, so that part of the tuner isn't really an issue.

That little Sony has a killer front end. It just walks all over older tuners, and it does it for an amazingly low price.

You might prefer older tuners, but I bet that's due to other factors such as "euphonic" distortion, looks, or brand name.

I think Sony should have put this tuner in a big metal case with lots of buttons and lights and sold it for $5000. Maybe they could have stuck some toobs in there for show too. Then it would be on the covers of all the magazines and every audiophile would want one.

doug s. · « **Reply #127 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 07:09 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 26 Nov 2009, 10:27 am

Okay Doug,

Step 1: I'm powerless over tunas and my life.........

WOW, thats a lotta tuna, thanks for the visual, amazing.......

I noticed a Dynaco in there, I just bought Wayner's FM5. Now I have 2, it's a start.

Happy Thanksgiving

my dyna is an fm3; it's been modded, refurb'd, and aligned. unfortunately, the reception of the fm3's is only so-so, and in my present location, it's a bit noisy. so, i am not able to appreciate its sonics, which are purported to be stellar, w/a good clean signal. i have not heard the later dyna s/s offerings, but they are supposed to be quite nice...

doug s.

doug s. · « **Reply #128 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: turkey on 27 Nov 2009, 01:59 pm

Quote from: doug s. on 27 Nov 2009, 06:27 am
want a tuna that will easily riwal the best out there sonically at any price? need only very very good and not sony xdr-f1hd-type reception? like tubes? like wintage? if this one really works as adwertized, you cannot go wrong, even at the buy-it-now price. and, its cosmetics are excellent:

As far as I'm concerned, tuners are all about the front end. The tuner that pulls in stations the best _is_ the best. Even what Frank used to call "mundane" audio circuitry is more than capable of handling what stations broadcast, so that part of the tuner isn't really an issue.

That little Sony has a killer front end. It just walks all over older tuners, and it does it for an amazingly low price.

You might prefer older tuners, but I bet that's due to other factors such as "euphonic" distortion, looks, or brand name.

I think Sony should have put this tuner in a big metal case with lots of buttons and lights and sold it for $5000. Maybe they could have stuck some toobs in there for show too. Then it would be on the covers of all the magazines and every audiophile would want one.

front end is certainly important, but i disagree w/you about that being all that matters. you (and frank) are wrong, imo, re: "mundane" audio circuitry being more than capable of handling what stations broadcast. while this is certainly true for the many commercial stations that broadcast shite compressed signals, there are many stations that broadcast quality stations, and for these stations, that's where quality tuna audio circuitry makes a difference. you can bet all you want about why you think i may prefer the tunas i prefer, but if you bet on anything other than best ultimate sound quality - what sounds most like real music - you would lose. euphonic distortion, looks, or brand name are not a factor at all.

doug s.

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #129 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 09:52 pm »

Hey Doug I see a Fisher in there I've oft oggled.

Is that a working w/multiplex tuna?

doug s. · « **Reply #130 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 10:42 pm »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 27 Nov 2009, 09:52 pm

Hey Doug I see a Fisher in there I've oft oggled. Is that a working w/multiplex tuna?

it's a 100-r. it's in working condition, but the tuning eye bulb is a bit weak. it's mpx, but not stereo. you need a mpx stereo adapter. like my fisher mpx 100? aa

the 100-r looks like this (this is not mine, it's one i pulled from the web.)

doug s.

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #131 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 05:39 pm »

Oh yeh!

I like the 101-R. I'm watching one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427762363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT with no real info on condition it's hard to pull the trigger.

rwdrey · « **Reply #132 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 07:49 pm »

The Sony is an AMAZING product! & it sounds pretty damned good, great reception & VERY quiet. To me it's almost like comparing apples & oranges, by the time you find the vintage tuner of your dreams & recap it & than an FM alignment your talking many hundreds of dollars. Unless your willing to live with a beater. Are there better sounding sources of FM, absolutely! But at what price. If you have a fine sounding stereo, Fm with the Sony will sound good! I live 30 miles from Philly & never enjoyed WXPN & WRTI more. If the digital thing bothers you, do the force analog mod. It's a hell of alot cheaper than a recap & FM alignment for a Pioneer TX9500II. I'm done looking for the perfect vintage tuner.

doug s. · « **Reply #133 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 08:28 pm »

Quote from: rwdrey on 28 Nov 2009, 07:49 pm

The Sony is an AMAZING product! & it sounds pretty damned good, great reception & VERY quiet. To me it's almost like comparing apples & oranges, by the time you find the vintage tuner of your dreams & recap it & than an FM alignment your talking many hundreds of dollars. Unless your willing to live with a beater. Are there better sounding sources of FM, absolutely! But at what price. If you have a fine sounding stereo, Fm with the Sony will sound good! I live 30 miles from Philly & never enjoyed WXPN & WRTI more. If the digital thing bothers you, do the force analog mod. It's a hell of alot cheaper than a recap & FM alignment for a Pioneer TX9500II. I'm done looking for the perfect vintage tuner.

you can pay a lot to get a wintage tuna, have it refurb'd and modded, etc. but, you do not have to. i have about ten tunas, that i paid $10-$125 for; all sound better than my sony xdr-f1hd; none have had any work done on them, except two, and it was included in the price i paid. (ok, i admit - 2-3 of these should have set me back >$200, but i got lucky!

) and, even w/the sony on non-hd stations, i can't listen for long in the sweet-spot w/o a tube buffer, as it's too fatiguing. so that adds min $100 to its price, for serious listening. figure even more for the audio mods per mike williams. but, don't get me wrong, i think the sony is an excellent tuna, w/quieting second to none.

ymmv,

doug s.

doug s. · « **Reply #134 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 08:32 pm »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 28 Nov 2009, 05:39 pm

Oh yeh! I like the 101-R. I'm watching one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427762363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT with no real info on condition it's hard to pull the trigger.

yup, that one has the stereo mpx built-in. agreed, it seems fishy that one can sell something like this and not even be able to tell you if it's actually working.

"can't test?" then start the bidding at $10 w/no reserve. the seller is taking offers, you could low-ball him w/an explanation that you might be willing to offer more, if it was werified as working.

personally, based on my experience w/the fisher mono's and outboard mpx's, i'd go for a sherwood instead. i found the fishers to sound wery nice - on par w/the scotts and the mcintosh tubed tuners. but a properly working sherwood is better than all of them, imo.

doug s.
ps - i yust checked the fisher seller's other auctions - he's lying when he says he has no way to test; he is selling >100 stereo items, many say they've been tested as working. no reason he cannot hook this up to see if it works.

macrojack · « **Reply #135 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 09:10 pm »

That Sony HD tuner sounds like it would be the best available for talk radio.

I noticed the Amazon price has gone up a little since I bought mine the other day.

doug s. · « **Reply #136 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 08:33 am »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 28 Nov 2009, 05:39 pm

Oh yeh! I like the 101-R. I'm watching one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427762363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT with no real info on condition it's hard to pull the trigger.

yust for grins, i offered the seller $10, w/the following comment:

"since you test many other items you sell, the statement that you are unable to test this indicates to me that this is good for parts only. so, $31 shipped seems a reasonable price. i'd consider offering more for a guaranteed working unit."

while i didn't expect the seller to accept my offer, i found his response to be wery rewealing:

"go away"

i would awoid this particular tuna (and seller?) like the plague.

doug s.

doug s. · « **Reply #137 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 07:47 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 29 Nov 2009, 08:33 am

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 28 Nov 2009, 05:39 pm
Oh yeh! I like the 101-R. I'm watching one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427762363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT with no real info on condition it's hard to pull the trigger.
yust for grins, i offered the seller $10, w/the following comment:

"since you test many other items you sell, the statement that you are unable to test this indicates to me that this is good for parts only. so, $31 shipped seems a reasonable price. i'd consider offering more for a guaranteed working unit."

while i didn't expect the seller to accept my offer, i found his response to be wery rewealing:

"go away"

i would awoid this particular tuna (and seller?) like the plague.

doug s.

more fun from this ebayer. i responded to him w/an offer of $5 and the following comment:

don't worry - i'll go away - i'm not interested in buying from sellers trying to hide stuff. but most ebayers also check out a seller's feedback, what else they are selling, etc, before making an offer. best of luck trying to rip off someone.

the response i got:

f off you indigent bottom feeding ahole

nice...

doug s.

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #138 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 04:35 am »

Quote from: doug s. on 29 Nov 2009, 07:47 pm

Quote from: doug s. on 29 Nov 2009, 08:33 am
Quote from: Listens2tubes on 28 Nov 2009, 05:39 pm
Oh yeh! I like the 101-R. I'm watching one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427762363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT with no real info on condition it's hard to pull the trigger.
yust for grins, i offered the seller $10, w/the following comment:

"since you test many other items you sell, the statement that you are unable to test this indicates to me that this is good for parts only. so, $31 shipped seems a reasonable price. i'd consider offering more for a guaranteed working unit."

while i didn't expect the seller to accept my offer, i found his response to be wery rewealing:

"go away"

i would awoid this particular tuna (and seller?) like the plague.

doug s.
more fun from this ebayer. i responded to him w/an offer of $5 and the following comment:

don't worry - i'll go away - i'm not interested in buying from sellers trying to hide stuff. but most ebayers also check out a seller's feedback, what else they are selling, etc, before making an offer. best of luck trying to rip off someone.

the response i got:

f off you indigent bottom feeding ahole

nice...

doug s.

You are reading my mind with all this. The thing is pictured in a rack and he can't even switch an interconnect from his cd player to see if the thing buzzes when you move the dial.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON I think there's something fishy around here and it's not tuna!

doug s. · « **Reply #139 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 03:19 pm »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 30 Nov 2009, 04:35 am

Quote from: doug s. on 29 Nov 2009, 07:47 pm
Quote from: doug s. on 29 Nov 2009, 08:33 am
Quote from: Listens2tubes on 28 Nov 2009, 05:39 pm
Oh yeh! I like the 101-R. I'm watching one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427762363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT with no real info on condition it's hard to pull the trigger.
yust for grins, i offered the seller $10, w/the following comment:

"since you test many other items you sell, the statement that you are unable to test this indicates to me that this is good for parts only. so, $31 shipped seems a reasonable price. i'd consider offering more for a guaranteed working unit."

while i didn't expect the seller to accept my offer, i found his response to be wery rewealing:

"go away"

i would awoid this particular tuna (and seller?) like the plague.

doug s.
more fun from this ebayer. i responded to him w/an offer of $5 and the following comment:

don't worry - i'll go away - i'm not interested in buying from sellers trying to hide stuff. but most ebayers also check out a seller's feedback, what else they are selling, etc, before making an offer. best of luck trying to rip off someone.

the response i got:

f off you indigent bottom feeding ahole

nice...

doug s.

You are reading my mind with all this. The thing is pictured in a rack and he can't even switch an interconnect from his cd player to see if the thing buzzes when you move the dial. DANGER WILL ROBINSON I think there's something fishy around here and it's not tuna!

i think you need to make an offer w/query to test it - let's give this guy what he deserves.

doug s.