Tell me more about your tuner and your favourite channel.

rs1500us

rs1500us

New Around These Parts
Joined
Sep 12, 2025
Messages
44
I am getting into tuners because I like 89.9 and 90.3 in the Treasure valley area, Boise. I decided that 100 odd dollars are better donated to a station than to a streaming company. YT is good enough for me if I want something online.

In general, i like the idea of radio programming, talented musicians and RJs bringing new and old music and topics..

I see no reason for FM to die.

I have a KLH Model Twenty which has been thoroughly refurbished and it sounds very relaxed and no sibilance. Fortunately, it has an extra filter stage after IF stage which takes care of HD noise.

On the other hand, my Sansui TU X1 is a bat from hell.. I just can't belive that FM can sound this good.. however, Sansui requires a decent indoor antenna. RF stage isn't wide open like the KLH..
 
For many, many years FM radio has been a part of my listening life. In the Chattanooga area there are two public radio stations, both affiliated with local colleges. WSMC is mostly all Classical...mostly because the station's Friday evenings and Saturdays are devoted to religious programming. I am listening to WSMC as I write through a Magnum Dynalab MD100 which produces a sound that is about as good as it gets from the station, although I have a Harmon Kardon Citation 3X stereo tuner that has a wonderfully rich vintage tube sound, but needs a bit of a refresh to sound its best. I have several other tuners, including a Sansui like yours and two Accuphase T100s, plus two or three HH Scott tube and solid state tuners, including a Scott 4312, which is the early solid state version of Scott's all tube 4310 broadcast monitor which is much treasured by tuner collectors. I use a Magnum Dynalab Silver Ribbon indoor antenna and an early version of Magnum Dynalab's Signal Sleuth antenna Booster.
 
Listening to France Inter and France Culture while driving my van at work.
At home I use a Sansui 661 receiver.
FM is going down here in France, stations are forcing us to go digital and repeats everyday to use the their useless phone apps...
And AM got shut down a few years ago, like analog tv.
 
20tajk7 said:
Listening to France Inter and France Culture while driving my van at work.
At home I use a Sansui 661 receiver.
FM is going down here in France, stations are forcing us to go digital and repeats everyday to use the their useless phone apps...
And AM got shut down a few years ago, like analog tv.
Click to expand...
The problem with internet is the accessibility.
 
Louie3 said:
I am listening to WSMC as I write through a Magnum Dynalab MD100....
Click to expand...
I'm curious about your opinion of the Sansui. Mine needs work on the AM.. probably a decoder chip. I am in no hurry but will definitely get this to its top condition ..
 
I'm in Louis' neck the woods and WSMC is the station I listen to when I listen. UTC's NPR affiliate lost me years ago with too many repeats of the same programming. Morning Edition from 8-10 am, then repeats from 10 am to noon because it's easier to sell that than music. Same in the afternoon.

I found a Yamaha T-7 not too long ago. Needs a better indoor antenna but sounds as okay as I need it to and waay better than any of the commercial stations' signals.
 
Dynaco FM-3 (parted out back in '09). I do have an FM Pilot tuner sidecar unit for my Philco 42-390. I guess the oldies station (KDSK) is ok, their audio isn't great though. The "classic rock" stations suck, just Def lepard, Boston, and Guns N Roses on repeat. If I could get a news and politics/podcast free NPR then they would be on to something. No Things Considered lol
 
rs1500us said:
Dynaco Fm-3, I think this one is regarded as one of the best I think?
Click to expand...
Eh I don't know...sensitivity and selectivity leave much to be desired. My 1940s Pilot tuner works better but really isn't HiFi or stereo. I think a Magnum Dynalab is better if you want a modern front end + tube stank. That being said I still wanna pick up another FM-3 to play with.
 
mr_rye89 said:
Eh I don't know...sensitivity and selectivity leave much to be desired. My 1940s Pilot tuner works better but really isn't HiFi or stereo. I think a Magnum Dynalab is better if you want a modern front end + tube stank. That being said I still wanna pick up another FM-3 to play with.
Click to expand...
I had an FM-3 for years, long ago. It was just OK...
 
Main rig, Luxman T-110, well regarded FM only, dialed in by an antenna guru.
Using now, bedroom system, Citation 23 with 16 presets I go through
On the shelf, Yamaha TX-1000 which immediately replaced the T-110 before it was aligned. It sounded better on first listen and allowed me to get the Luxman serviced.

Needing work, Sansui TU-719, digital, dial and actual frequency are all different. Needs an alignment.

We have very good FM to enjoy in this area.
WXPN U PENN Singer/songwriter plus original programming like World Cafe
WRTI Temple University Classical days, Jazz nights
WMGK Classic rock
WMMR Rock
WGLS Rowan University
WCUR West Chester University Radio
To name a few. The last two, when the students get in a groove playing the deeper cuts from the 70s-80s it can be pretty good.
 
Last edited:
For those needing tuner work, RadioXTuners, Punker X at ak has a very short backlog. Used to be over a year, down below a few months now. He is in Flint, MI and I’ll probably let him tackle the 719 after a recap.

Not affiliated, just mentioning as his work is well respected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top