Posted: 8/24/2013 12:33:43 AM EDT
|
I've been a little frustrated, trying to find a high quality AM/FM radio. 1.) I'm not looking for shortwave, but would accept it if there isn't a better option. 2.) I'm not looking for a "portable" radio or boom box. Battery backup isn't a priority. This will be parked on a desk with constant AC, so battery backup will be offered in other ways, if not internal. 3.) Getting emergency frequencies and emergency frequency tuning adjustments would be a plus, but not mandatory (especially if this means a decrease in fidelity or AM/FM reception). It's primary function is NOT a weather/emergency radio. 4.) Built-in or in-the-box AM/FM antennas are fine, but I have to have the option to add antennas in the future if warranted. 5.) AM/FM reception and fidelity is No. 1. I want this radio to provide the highest possible reception quality available (portability is no concern). I know radio is all about antennas and location eventually, but I want this receiver/tuner to never be the "bottleneck" (does that make sense). 6.) I want it to be very "tunable." It seems some digital controls on lessor radios don't allow you to tune into the "sweet spot" on a hard-to-get FM frequency as well as dial/analog controls. Maybe this isn't true on high-quality digital controllers?.?.? 7.) The more outputs, the better (RCA, 1/8th inch jack, +/- stereo, etc..., but I have a good head unit I can and probably will feed into, so I can get it into the proper channel/connector. 8.) Remote control is a plus, but not required. 9.) Computer-controlled software would be cool, but not required. 10.) Price. If your recommendations are too high, I'll ask for lessor alternatives; however, I want this to be my end-all AM/FM solution. I'm slowly building my dream rack/system and this will address every commercial AM/FM frequency reception. Thanks (a bit weird, I know given how non-mainstream commercial band AM/FM is becoming, but please oblige me)! |
|
Tivoli Model 1 is what you seek. One of the last designs that Henry Kloss put out.
Grrr shoulda read more. Thought you were looking for a tabletop radoo and not a component tuner. Nothing to see here, this isn't the answer you're looking for. Move along. Move along. |
|
The very best FM stereo receivers are made by Maginum Dynalab. They have numerous models to choose from.
As far as AM goes I don't know of any HIFI AM recievers. But if I was looking for an AM reciever,I would look at decent short wave recievers that also cover the AM bands. The old Drake R8 is a very good one. |
|
Tuners usually have only L and R RCA outputs on the back unless they are a preamp/tuner.
I like the Onkyo Integra tuners from the 1990's and early 2000's. With filter mods (substituting newer Murata low loss narrower filters) they are even better. Look for the T4500 or T4087. These can be found in good working order on eBay. |
|
One of the drawbacks of most high-end tuners is that the engineers concentrate almost exclusively on the performance of the FM section, typically only throwing in a 1- or 2-chip AM circuit as an afterthought.
One notable exception was McKay-Dymek, which specialized in hi-fi tuners that only covered the AM broadcast and shortwave bands - No FM band was even included. Designed primarily for use in remote areas where FM stations were out of reception range (Australia was a popular market), they delivered surprisingly good audio quality - as long as the AM station did its part in providing decent frequency response, minimal compression and distortion, etc. Examples: The DR-22 and DR-33C. 
|
|
Quoted:
Love this. Keep them coming. Antenna solutions will be interesting. I live in an apartment (top story of a two-story building). I have a deck right outside of my bedroom window, which faces north. I can put just about anything on the deck. Magloop. Small and directional. |
|
Many years ago I heard a demonstration between AM & FM (of the same station)
on a higher quality receiver The AM side actually had a nicer sound than the FM. I am not a big audiophile but I do know what sounds nice (to my ears) Many FM stations are trying to sound Loud so you will stop and listen as you dial across the band. The stations will do things like run modulated sub carriers and run far to much compression. (The Un-Modulated Sub carriers let the FM Station run wider deviation so they sound louder) Many actually ruin the sound in an attempt to be Loud, most people don't know the difference, but once you really hear how good it should sound, you will grow to dislike the poor sounding FM. |
|
Maybe these folks can help you out.
I have an analog AM/FM tuner that's probably 30 years old and beats just about anything on the market today. |
|
Quoted: Many years ago I heard a demonstration between AM & FM (of the same station) on a higher quality receiver The AM side actually had a nicer sound than the FM. |
|
Quoted:
The funny thing for me as that sometimes I get nostalgic for hearing radio the way I listened to it when I was a kid in the 1970's; listening to music from a distant AM station on a warm summer night interspersed with static crashes from lightning (CKLW was a memorable station). I'll sometimes hear a classic 70's tune on FM now (or listen to an MP3) and the high fidelity is nice but just does not sound the same as that 10KHz wide sound with static. Quoted:
Quoted:
Many years ago I heard a demonstration between AM & FM (of the same station) on a higher quality receiver The AM side actually had a nicer sound than the FM. I suspect that is the reason that record players are coming back. Digital sounds sterile to me, I dislike it about as much as CB radio 
|
|
Quoted:
I suspect that is the reason that record players are coming back. Digital sounds sterile to me, I dislike it about as much as CB radio Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Many years ago I heard a demonstration between AM & FM (of the same station) on a higher quality receiver The AM side actually had a nicer sound than the FM. I suspect that is the reason that record players are coming back. Digital sounds sterile to me, I dislike it about as much as CB radio Your ears actually become accustomed to the "colored" sound and you reject the pure sound. The first time I heard some higher end stuff I though it sounded bad but then as you hear the cleaner sound you like it better |
|
These radios made by C.Crane are fine desktop AM/FM radios. My grandpa has had one of these radios for several years now. They have great audio (especially in AM mode), and the internal antenna works well too. They can accept an external longwire as well. Check them out.. the only cost $160.00.
-Bru P.S. I don't know anything about their ability to receive 2 Meter signal though. |