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dantheman91
13-01-2012, 18:06
HI

I have been offered ones of these tuners very cheap and was wondering id it would go with my 33/303 i cant find many reviews on it. whats do you guys think.

Dan

hifi_dave
13-01-2012, 19:03
As it was designed to go with the 33/303, it will work very nicely.

dantheman91
13-01-2012, 19:08
Hi

lovly jubbly thanks

Barry
13-01-2012, 19:12
I have one, along with an FM3. As you know the FM2 is valve based with a built-in (solid state) stereo decoder.

Both work very well with Quad gear, both series 3 and 4. As to the 'sound', I would describe the FM2 as slightly 'warm' sounding, laying somewhere between that of the Leak Troughline and the solid state FM3.

DSJR
13-01-2012, 19:43
My FM2 was smooth and soft, but sounded delightful with a decent radio 3 live broadcast. What these oldies can't abide is the hideous distortion and compression on radio 1 and the commercial stations.

According to One-Thing-Audio, their decoder makes an excellent modern upgrade on the thing in the Quad and fits exactly apparently.

dantheman91
13-01-2012, 19:56
HI

do i need a stereo decoder then.

dan

Reid Malenfant
13-01-2012, 19:58
Not according to Barry as it has one built in :)

DSJR
13-01-2012, 20:06
It does, but it's old and crude, that's all, and needs a highish input impedance on the amp - all explained in the manual if you can get one...

dantheman91
13-01-2012, 20:26
HI


THANKS

dan

spendorman
13-01-2012, 20:39
I believe that the FM2 had a built in decoder, was self powered, but otherwise was similar to the mono FM1 and styled to match the 33. I've never owned one, but do have FM1+Quad external decoder, FM3 and FM4.

The FM1 was nice sounding on it's own, but the decoder destroyed all that in my view. I was meaning to fit a modern decoder, but never got round to it.

hifi_dave
13-01-2012, 20:46
IMO, the FM2 and the FM3 are nice units as they are and fit in beautifully with the 33/303. They aren't the best sounding or most advanced tuners but I can forgive them for the styling and the way they work with their matching amp.

surv1v0r
11-07-2013, 10:26
Hi

Sorry to revive an ancient thread but I wondered where I might be able to buy replacement valves for an FM2? I have one and it sounds beautiful - I want to make sure that it stays that way. I have tried emailing alleged valve suppliers (e.g. MullardMagic) but other than thanking me for my enquiry I never get any further. The valves involved are:

6BH6 (x3)
6BJ6
6AL5
12AX7
12AT7

Thanks

julesd68
11-07-2013, 10:46
If the dealers are not playing ball I would pick them up on ebay when you find suitable quality examples from reputable sellers -

eg there are 3 x NOS Mullard 6BH6 here - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6BH6-MULLARD-NOS-VALVE-TUBE-MA13-/370808437444?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tube s&hash=item5655e7bac4

You could ask for the test results.

DSJR
11-07-2013, 11:53
A lightly tweaked FM3 is the better tuner and far less warm-n-rosy sounding to my ears. Not very sensitive though and by the time it was in its prime, the bigger jap tuners annihilated it for desirability and performance..

Firebottle
11-07-2013, 15:08
Aaron you can get the lot from http://www.vacuumtubes.net/prices.htm for $43 plus postage. That would be about $60 all in.

A good supplier to deal with, you can e-mail to check stock before ordering, they respond quickly.

:cool:Alan

surv1v0r
11-07-2013, 17:25
If the dealers are not playing ball I would pick them up on ebay when you find suitable quality examples from reputable sellers -

eg there are 3 x NOS Mullard 6BH6 here - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6BH6-MULLARD-NOS-VALVE-TUBE-MA13-/370808437444?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tube s&hash=item5655e7bac4

You could ask for the test results.I had looked on eBay but am somewhat nervous about buying claimed NOS items where I don't really know how to check it out - can you offer any advice on reliably, safely checking valves - I do have a DVM.

Thanks for the link :)

julesd68
11-07-2013, 18:30
I don't have a valve tester so rely on buying tubes from reputable dealers with a good returns policy!

Whereabouts in London are you based? I might have another suggestion for you ...

surv1v0r
11-07-2013, 21:31
Aaron you can get the lot from http://www.vacuumtubes.net/prices.htm for $43 plus postage. That would be about $60 all in.

A good supplier to deal with, you can e-mail to check stock before ordering, they respond quickly.

:cool:AlanHi Alan, I have now researched the link you sent me and have discovered the following:
6AL5 $3.00 (also EAA91 & CV4025)
6BH6 $4.00 (x3)
6BJ6 $4.00
That gives me a cost of $19

I then get to the 12A?7 valves where it all becomes MUCH more confusing because there are all sorts of alternatives which I can't evaluate (see links)
12AT7 http://www.vacuumtubes.net/RES%20Audio%20pages/12at7.html
12AX7 http://www.vacuumtubes.net/RES%20Audio%20pages/12AX7.html
The price of these range from $10 to $100! - Why the difference and which / what would I be wisest to go for?

HELP!

Firebottle
12-07-2013, 06:05
This is where the demand for these sort of valves by audiophiles across the world comes into play.

There are small differences in the characteristics between makes, also the rarer ones become (much) more expensive. They do sound a little different in a lot of the valve gear available and there are folks that like to keep swapping valves, also known as tube rolling.


For your requirement I would go for the cheapest and see how it sounds to you.

:cool:Alan

surv1v0r
12-07-2013, 08:41
Thanks for that Alan - I can cope with the concept of "supply and demand".
I have been offered a Brimar 12AT7 and a Brimar 12AX7. The only valve names that I am really aware of are Mullard and General Electric - is Brimar a recognised and respected name?

ps - I love your Sir Patrick Moore quote.

Firebottle
12-07-2013, 09:52
Brimar is a good make.

Thanks for the comment on the quote :D

hifi_dave
12-07-2013, 10:09
Brimar is another good old brand.

PS - beat me to it !!!

The Grand Wazoo
12-07-2013, 17:22
Here's a radical suggestion from me - why not leave it as it is?
Tuner valves don't exactly get subjected to massive stresses, you know. The fitted devices are probably excellent as they are and you may just be wasting your money. In fact, I'm pretty sure you will be!

surv1v0r
12-07-2013, 22:07
Less radical than you suggest.

I wouldn't naturally buy replacement parts for something that still works. My FM2 is probably more than 40 year old, it was serviced by Quad almost 30 years ago. If I could be confident that a replacement would be available on the day when one of the valves inevitably gives up I wouldn't worry.

I don't feel uncomfortable about considering protection ;)

The Grand Wazoo
12-07-2013, 22:11
No, nowt wrong with laying in spares for a future failure. I suppose I was counselling against changing them for reasons of 'improvements'.