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- Macloggerdx 5 63 – Auto Dx Radio Tuner Tuning
- Macloggerdx 5 63 – Auto Dx Radio Tuner Am Fm
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Stereo Tuners
![Radio Radio](https://www.machamradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MLDXv5-55.jpg)
By Chuck Hawks
McIntosh MR85 tuner. Illustration courtesy of D&M Holdings, Inc.
Some sort of tuner is a program source found in almost allhigh-fidelity audio systems. Old-fashioned broadcast radio may be, butpractically everyone listens to it, at least some of the time. Receivers, theheart of most home music systems, incorporate a tuner on a common chassis witha power amplifier and a pre-amplifier. Audiophiles using separate amplificationcomponents, whether an integrated amplifier or pre-amp/power amp combo, need aseparate tuner. The separate tuner is the subject of this article, althoughmost of the information also applies to the tuner section of a receiver.
Most tuners can receive both AM and FM broadcasts and someof the more recent models can receive subscription satellite radio (Sirius, XM,etc.). The most popular is the FM band. FM stands for 'frequencymodulation' and this form of broadcast offers lower background noise(greater quieting) and a wider frequency response than AM (amplitudemodulation) broadcasting. FM is the high-fidelity band and most FM stations aremusic-oriented. Almost all FM broadcasts are in stereo, while only some AMstations broadcast a stereo signal. Today, AM station formats tend toward news,sports and talk programs, although there are still some music-oriented AM radiostations.
Suffice to say that FM broadcasting is the more popularformat and the one of most importance to most component tuner manufacturers andcustomers. It is the FM section of an AM/FM tuner to which the lion's share ofthe technology and expense is devoted. In most modern tuners, the AM section isan afterthought, included only because it is expected. Many of the betterportable radios, especially the 'AM and shortwave' receivers, havefar more sensitive AM sections than many component tuners. If AM radio listeningis important to you, you will have to look for a tuner with a good AM section.They are in the minority, but there are some. A good AM tuner should have anexternal AM antenna input (usually a screw terminal), in addition to theubiquitous ferrite bar antenna attached to the back panel of the tuner.
Most people do not understand the importance of a goodantenna to radio reception. It is vital! A low sensitivity tuner with a goodoutdoor antenna will outperform a 'hot' (high sensitivity) tuner withoutan external antenna.
AM broadcasts are low frequency (long wave) and require alarge antenna for efficient reception. A 50-foot 'long wire' antennaworks well. (Actually, the longer the better.) These are available at low cost atRadio Shack and other outlets specializing in radio supplies. You can easilymake a long wire yourself using a random length of bare, stranded copper wire.The wire gauge is unimportant. String it between two posts or a convenient treeand the corner of your roof, insulating if from grounding by using a non-conductorto secure the ends. Crimp or solder an insulated wire down lead from one end ofthe antenna to the AM antenna input on your tuner. Your AM reception should begreatly improved.
There should also be FM antenna inputs on the back of yourtuner. These will accept TV type flat lead or, perhaps, a 75-ohm coaxiallead-in (TV cable). The entire FM broadcast band is between TV-VHF channels 6and 7, so what works for TV also works for FM radio. Radio Shack and otherelectronics stores usually sell outdoor FM antennas. Alternatively, roof top TVantennas usually work well. Just use a TV/FM splitter at the termination ofyour TV down lead and run from the FM taps to your tuner.
The most common type of indoor FM antenna is the dipole (a'T' shaped antenna) made from 300-ohm, two-conductor, TV flat wire.These can be pinned behind your drapes or tacked to the wall. They generallywork satisfactorily in an urban environment where FM stations are reasonablynear-by. Often included with tuners, they can also be purchased at Radio Shack.Alternatively, TV (or similar dedicated FM) 'rabbit ears' will servewell as indoor FM antennas.
As common as broadcast radio, particularly FM, is as aprogram source, there are fewer discreet tuners on the market than in previousgenerations of audio components. This is due to the prevalence of receivers inhome audio systems, since receivers incorporate a tuner, eliminating the needfor a separate component tuner. A/V receivers, the most popular category, typicallysubstitute an inexpensive chip for a real tuner section and let it go at that.Radio reception is an afterthought in most A/V receivers.
Serious radio listeners will need a separate tuner. Some ofthe best tuners are no longer made, but are still in high demand on the usedcomponent market. Marantz no longer offers a component tuner, which seemsstrange, since several of the all time best vintage tuners were made by Marantz.The circa 1964 Marantz 10B (vacuum tube) tuner is reputed to be the best soundingtuner of all time. The Model 20B, successor to the 10B, is also very highlyregarded for its superb sound. Higher performance is available from the 1975vintage, solid state Marantz 125 (dual meters) and Model 150 (built-inoscilloscope for tuning). Marantz's Model 2130 of 1978, also with an onboardoscilloscope, is extremely highly regarded. The Marantz Esotec series ST7 andST-8, introduced a year later, are very similar to the 2130. These are all high-endtuners and extremely well built. Almost any vintage Marantz tuner, especiallyone of the upper level models, is worth having if in good operating condition.Naturally, these upscale Marantz tuners are among the more expensive tuners onthe used market.
Marantz's main competitor in component tuners, at least inthe USA, has always been McIntosh. McIntosh tuners are also highly regarded andequally well made. McIntosh's first tuner was the mono MR55, an AM/FM tunerwith a particularly outstanding AM section. The FM sensitivity was three microvolts;the AM sensitivity was only 1.5 microvolts. When the MR55 was made, AM radiowas still important as a music source. I owned an MR55 for many years and itwas the best long range AM (Dx) tuner I have ever used. The first McIntosh stereotuner was the MR65B, a vacuum tube, FM only unit sold from 1962-1964. MR65'sare still good tuners, with a 2.5 microvolt sensitivity. The MR-73 was thefirst McIntosh tuner with the familiar black glass front panel. This AM/FM unitwas also the first McIntosh solid-state tuner. It was sold 1972-1979. The topof the line McIntosh of that period was the MR77, an FM only tuner ofexceptional performance. All McIntosh tuners are premium models, since theyhave never made popularly priced components. Any McIntosh tuner in goodoperating condition is worth owning.
The Sequerra tuners were designed by Richard Sequerra,designer of the famous Marantz 10B. The Sequerra Model 1 was a solid-state FMtuner introduced in 1974 and discontinued a couple of years later. It was toprated throughout its short life, but very expensive for the time, with a totalproduction of only about 1400 units. (The majority of these were reportedlypurchased by radio stations.) Day-Sequerra, Inc. is still in business andspecializes in broadcast radio and TV equipment. Their website iswww.daysequerra.com
Kenwood, long a major player in amateur ('ham')radio circles, also made excellent stereo tuners. They had the radio technologyand applied it to their component AM/FM tuners. The top of the line Kenwoodtuners are considerably less expensive than used Marantz and McIntosh tunersand perform at about the same level. Although not built to quite the'bullet proof' standard of the top Marantz and McIntosh tuners, theseclassic Kenwood tuners are very nice and may be the best bargains on the usedmarket.
Another 'hot' tuner was the Rotel RT-1220, whichboasted an FM sensitivity of 1.5 microvolts and AM sensitivity of 15 microvolts.Sony, Yamaha and Sansui have also produced some fine tuners.
Macloggerdx 5 63 – Auto Dx Radio Tuner Preamplifier
If I were buying a new tuner today, since at this writingMarantz does not offer a new component tuner, I would look no farther than theMcIntosh line. Unlike most component manufacturers, McIntosh still offerstuners of uncompromising quality. The current McIntosh line includes the MR85(AM/FM), MR87 (AM/FM designed for the European, Asian and Oceanic regions) andMR88 (AM/FM/XM/HD). Of these, the MR85, at about $2800 (2011 MSRP), is theleast expensive. Other new component tuners available in 2011 include the AccuphaseT-1100, Cambridge Audio 650T and Azur 550T, NAD M4 (also C445, C425, C426),Naim NAT05 XS, Onkyo T-4555, Parasound Ztuner V.2, Quad Elite FM, Rega Radio 3,Rotel RDG-1520, Teac T-R680RS (also T-R670) and Yamaha TX-497 (also T-S500).This list is not all-inclusive, but these are reasonably well known manufacturers.
All component tuners should come with specifications thatallow comparison. Electrical specifications do not tell you exactly how a tunerwill sound, but they are useful comparative tools. Here are the specificationsfor the McIntosh MR85 tuner:
Macloggerdx 5 63 – Auto Dx Radio Tuner Tuning
FM TUNERSPECIFICATIONS
USEABLE SENSITIVITY
14dBf (1.4uV across 75 ohms)
50dB QUIETING SENSITIVITY
Mono: 19dBf
(2.4uV across 75 ohms)
Stereo: 35dBf
(15uV across 75 ohms)
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
Mono: 75dB
Stereo: 70dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Mono: 20Hz to 15kHz, +0/-1dB
Stereo: 20Hz to 15kHz, +0/-1dB
HARMONIC DISTORTION
Mono: 0.3% at 100Hz,
1kHz and 10kHz
Stereo: 0.45% at 100Hz and 1kHz;
0.65% at 10kHz
INTERMODULATION DISTORTION Flip4mac studio pro hd 3 3 7 3 download free.
Mono: 0.25%
Stereo: 0.45%
CAPTURE RATIO
1.2dB
ALTERNATE CHANNEL SELECTIVITY
75dB
SPURIOUS RESPONSE
100dB
IMAGE RESPONSE
75dB
RF INTERMODULATION
65dB
STEREO SEPARATION
45dB at 100Hz and 1kHz
35dB at 10kHz
SCA REJECTION
65dB
AM TUNERSPECIFICATIONS
SENSITIVITY
20uV (external antenna input)
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
48dB at 30% modulation
58dB at 100% modulation
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Mono: 20Hz to 15kHz, +0/-1dB
Stereo: 20Hz to 15kHz, +0/-1dB
HARMONIC DISTORTION
0.5% max at 50% modulation
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
50Hz to 6kHz NRSC
ADJACENT CHANNEL SELECTIVITY
45dB minimum IHF
IMAGE REJECTION
65dB min, 540 kHz to 1600kHz
IF REJECTION
80dB minimum
GENERAL
RATED OUTPUT
1.2V Fixed
0-1.2V Variable
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
Less than 100 ohms
POWER REQUIREMENTS
120V 50/60Hz, 20W
OVERALL DIMENSIONS (H X W X D)
5 3/8' (13.8 cm) x 171/2'
(44.5 cm) x 17 1/2' (44.5cm)
WEIGHT
25.5 lbs. (11.6 kg) net
43 lbs. (19.5 kg) in shipping carton
These can be taken as representative of a modern, highperformance, stereo tuner. Take note of the FM specifications for sensitivity(particularly at 50db quieting), signal to noise ratio, frequency response,harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, alternate channel selectivityand stereo separation. On the AM side, sensitivity, signal to noise ratio,frequency response and adjacent channel selectivity are important factors.
If possible, audition the tuners you are considering side byside, connected to the same antenna system. (The antenna system is critical.)Even better, arrange to audition them in your home. The way a tuner sounds andworks in the real world is more important than any specification. A tuner thatboasts an FM sensitivity of 1.5 micro-volts may not work as well in your homeas one with a 3.0 micro-volt sensitivity, depending on a variety of outsidefactors, such as your distance from the stations to which you want to listen,the proximity and operating frequencies of other area radio stations, groundclutter and so forth. 'Try before you buy' is always good advice.
Macloggerdx 5 63 – Auto Dx Radio Tuner Am Fm
Like all audio components, electrical specifications andperformance are not the whole story. Build quality is also an importantfeature. Since tuners are electronic devices with few moving parts, they shouldlast a long time if built with good quality components, including durable, longlasting switches and knobs. Top quality components and workmanship areexpensive, but worth it in the long run. Superior build quality is one of thereasons vintage Marantz and McIntosh components are so highly regarded and whythey often cost more now (used) than they did when new. Good listening!