[Poultrygeist]

Using a large attic mounted TV antenna I compared my Insignia HD to a vintage Sansui T-517 and the Insignia proved to be the better performer. I sold the Sansui on ebay for double what I paid for the Insignia.

[doug s.]

Using a large attic mounted TV antenna I compared my Insignia HD to a vintage Sansui T-517 and the Insignia proved to be the better performer. I sold the Sansui on ebay for double what I paid for the Insignia.

i have never tried an insignia, but several folks on the yahoo fmtuna forum have, and all who compared it to the xdr-f1hd preferred the xdr.  based on this, and the tu517 i owned, as well as the wirtually identical tu717 & 719, (i still have a 717), for serious listening, and not simply background music, i find it hard to imagine anyone would not prefer the sansui.  the xdr (and maybe the insignia?) has the edge on reception, but certainly not sonics.  if you preferred the sonics of the insignia, i can only conclude your tu517 was in dire need of service/alignment.

ymmv,

doug s.

[Poultrygeist]

In the urban area where I live the Sansui had issues with signal rejection as well as FM drift on more distant stations.

My ancient Martel tube receiver has a better sounding tuner than the TU-517 but it drifts as well.   

[doug s.]

In the urban area where I live the Sansui had issues with signal rejection as well as FM drift on more distant stations.

My ancient Martel tube receiver has a better sounding tuner than the TU-517 but it drifts as well.

i am not familiar w/the martel, but it does not surprise me you prefer its sound to the sansui.  i have a few inexpensive tubed tunas that rival the best i have ever heard, including the likes of my modded refurb'd sansui tu-x1 and harman kardon citation 18.  if your tu517 was drifting, tho, (and your martel as well?), then it's certain it needed service.  a properly functioning tu517 won't drift, and shouldn't have signal rejection issues either.  it simply won't be as sensitive w/weak signals as something like the xdr-f1hd, which has few if any peers in this regard.  even the insignia won't pick up stations out of the ether as well as the li'l sony...

doug s.

[michaelhigh]

I've had the Sony giantkiller for about 6 months now, and I can attest to it's SQ and sensitivity. I listen to KSHE 2 out of St. Louis, MO, and I bought this tuner for the programming on that one station alone. I also get KMOX (originating on 1120 AM) on 102.5 in FM stereo to listen to the Cardinals, so it's win win for me.

[Letitroll98]

I also get KMOX (originating on 1120 AM) on 102.5 in FM stereo to listen to the Cardinals,

I'm sorry for your pain.  Oh, you meant it as a positive thing, my bad, I just assumed when you said Cardinals......

Just Kidding of course, welcome aboard Michael.  One more post and you won't have to wait for a facilitator to approve your post (an anti-spam measure, nothing directed toward new members).  Hope you enjoy AC.

Back on topic, there have been some up and down comments on the sound quality for music about this unit, what's been your impressions?

[michaelhigh]

SQ is good, I'm not a modder per se, I bought the Sony on recommendation from folks on AudioKarma. There's a thread there on the Sony that's been running for years, and I figured that the unit was worth a try, especially at the price I paid ($85). They're scarce now, discontinued, and all I can hope for is to have no problems with mine. I have lots of vintage receivers but this is my only HD tuner. The Sony runs hot, that's really the only drawback, and as long as the RCA's don't get baked off, I'm good. To be honest, I should have bought 3. They're touted as being the best tuner not only at their price point, but the numbers don't lie, it boasts of specs that are literally unprecedented. Google around and the evidence is there, reviewers with solid evidence. I'm blown away with mine. I'm sure someone will pipe up with a bit of rain for my parade but I've been convinced of the unit's sound quality and reception for 6 months now. I have no problems holding a station, and I have no need for the memory settings, which get lost after powerdown. Some have been known to just leave the unit on, but I don't risk that, at the temps this thing gets up to. I have, as I said, one music station and the Cardinals home station, and that's all I use it for. I listen to my Sansui 8080DB if I'm just listening to public radio, I want to preserve the Sony for HD use only. Thank you for your kind words.