View Full Version : Fm radio- forgotten source?
Colinijohnson
16-06-2017, 08:11
Recently installed a huge 5 element directional fm antenna on the roof. Originally had an omni directional type, but due to location wasn't brilliant. New one gave 25% improved reception. I was disappointed with the results with my Cyrus 7 fm, as this tuner needs a perfect signal for best results.
Enter Rotel rt950bx. Bought off eBay for £25 in perfect nick. Wow! What a difference. I can't believe the quality of broadcasts on some fm transmissions. All this for a total outlay of £175. I was amazed by the quality of old recordings on the Jamie Cullum jazz show with Micheal Parkinson this week - it's opened a whole new world to me.
Cyrus 7fm to be listed on EBay soon, unless I get an offer...
I know fm keeps being threatened with extinction - but in the meantime will enjoy.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ali Tait
16-06-2017, 09:03
Keep an eye out for something like an Accuphase T101. That'll blow yer socks off!
Love fm radio. If your into classical music Colin just think how amazing the proms will sound this year through your rig.!!
Colinijohnson
16-06-2017, 09:33
Love fm radio. If your into classical music Colin just think how amazing the proms will sound this year through your rig.!!
Well I'm off to see Proms in the Park to watch heroes Ray Davies & Gilbert O'Sullivan - it would be good to somehow digitally record the transmission??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm and avid FM fan, and have recently bought a newer FM tuner the AVI S2000 Mk ii.
The main problems I have are poor reception for geographical reasons, and that the BBC's SQ is often abysmal, they not caring now about it and mic. technique is particularly to blame.
Neil McCauley
16-06-2017, 09:46
For those thinking of returning to the FM world, on a tight budget, here is a link to 43 pre-owned FM tuners under £30. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Radio-Tuners/22635/i.html?_from=R40&Display=Analogue&_sop=2&LH_ItemCondition=3000&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=14&_udhi=30&_nkw=tuners&LH_PrefLoc=1&_dcat=22635&rt=nc
walpurgis
16-06-2017, 09:59
Many nice little Japanese tuners on ebay for little money.
I hardly ever listen to radio, so I bought a Rotel RT-830AL for peanuts. It sounds just fine.
The JVC JT-V10 is well worth looking out for. It dates from the late seventies and was bottom of the JVC range at the time, but was highly regarded for its sound quality. I had one for many years. Cheap, plasticky and lightweight, but sounds very nice.
Beobloke
16-06-2017, 11:44
I'm sticking with FM for as long as I can. I have two very capable tuners and a receiver with a stunning tuner section and I love using them all.
I have six FM tuners and listen to the radio for two or three hours every day. Usually Radio 3 and 4, and recently LBC.
walpurgis
16-06-2017, 13:46
The JVC JT-V10 is well worth looking out for. It dates from the late seventies and was bottom of the JVC range at the time, but was highly regarded for its sound quality. I had one for many years. Cheap, plasticky and lightweight, but sounds very nice.
One here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272712605370?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
It will go for peanuts.
Arkless Electronics
16-06-2017, 14:10
The circuit similarity between tuners is something many probably won't realise but there is a small selection only of IC's used as IF subsystems/quadrature detector and stereo decoder. A similarly small range of pilot tone suppression filters are used at the output and a few companies only produce most of the "front end" boxes....
So? you may be asking? So unless you are buying something really exotic the innards of most tuners are almost identical no matter what make or model!
Sure one can find things that break the mold on this but they are few and far between....
E.g throughout most of he 70's and 80's I'd guestimate that 90% of European and USA tuners used CA3089 (or the later improved CA3189) IF amp and quadrature IC followed by the MC1310P stereo decoder IC. There were (and are) Japanese equivalents which are pin for pin compatible. A later generation of such IC's then came into use but probably a range of say 3 of the former and same of the latter type of IC was/is used in most tuners. Quadrature coils made by Toko are almost universally used, single tuned type in cheaper models and double tuned in better ones. Toko or Murata made pilot tone filters are almost universally used as well. Little wonder then that so many tuners have a similar sound. The precise way these parts are used accounts for probably most of the differences we do hear...
al b back
16-06-2017, 15:06
still usind naim tuners 01,02 and 03 plain and simplealso have a yamaha 7000. well made vintage tuner if you have a good ariel mines a Galaxy 17 made by ron smith in luton
http://www.ronsmithaerials.com/catalogue/G17.php
http://www.ronsmithaerials.com/catalogue/photos_install.php
Ron Smith thats one for the teenagers ! Always remember his adverts in the hi fi mags of the day. Wonder what happened to him
Hope he did nt slide of a roof somewhere ? Happy days.
I've got a Magnum Dynalab FT-101 that I paid $300 for, and I love FM! It has incredible sound, like you I'm amazed at the quality of the broadcasts. I too need a better aerial, but the stations I get sound quite good, and someone else can pick the songs for a while. And best of all it's still free. I don't think that FM will ever go away for that reason. Especially in the car, where most people listen, as long as FM is available I won't be spending a cent to subscribe to some digital broadcasts. Sure my CDs and vinyl records sound better, but not by a lot, FM sounds surprisingly good!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The only FM problem I have is with some live concerts on BBC Radio 3. The programmes where they play recorded music are usually fine, as are those with live music in the studio. But some of the evening concerts recently have been poor. The problem seems to be twofold: the miking of orchestras (usually too close, sometimes sounds as if a tuba, say, is a solo instrument when it should be part of the overall sound); and the over-enthusiastic use of limiters, reducing what should be stunning crescendos to what sounds subjectively as if it's quieter than what comes before and after. One wonders what the set-up process is for these concerts away from the studio. Sometimes it reduces what is probably stunning orchestral playing to the level of compression you get on Classic FM!
Ron Smith thats one for the teenagers ! Always remember his adverts in the hi fi mags of the day. Wonder what happened to him
Hope he did nt slide of a roof somewhere ? Happy days.
He's dead I believe but his son George who runs the business was Southern Spain, I bought one of his ariels a couple of years ago (2012) and he e-mailed me some advice on siting etc, seemed a really nice guy BTW.
The only FM problem I have is with some live concerts on BBC Radio 3. The programmes where they play recorded music are usually fine, as are those with live music in the studio. But some of the evening concerts recently have been poor. The problem seems to be twofold: the miking of orchestras (usually too close, sometimes sounds as if a tuba, say, is a solo instrument when it should be part of the overall sound); and the over-enthusiastic use of limiters, reducing what should be stunning crescendos to what sounds subjectively as if it's quieter than what comes before and after. One wonders what the set-up process is for these concerts away from the studio. Sometimes it reduces what is probably stunning orchestral playing to the level of compression you get on Classic FM!
Tend to agree, but the BBC Proms are always well relayed. I've heard that the Optimod system is not employed for the Proms broadcasts, but I'm not certain.
I have a GTA Leak Trough-Line III & stations I know to broadcast at no more than 256 kbps, on a good day, can sound better than most CDs.
In the middle of moving house, Fm signal was non existant at old house, Just tested at the new place, only a Denon TU260 but finally I have Fm again!
He's dead I believe but his son George who runs the business was Southern Spain, I bought one of his ariels a couple of years ago (2012) and he e-mailed me some advice on siting etc, seemed a really nice guy BTW. Thanks for that tony glad to see the Smith name still rules in ariel land.
Minstrel SE
22-06-2017, 10:01
Yes I have a roof aerial and FM is lovely.
I have five FM tuners and just listen to Radio 3 and 4 on FM.
I am a bit confused about how long FM will last or I would look for the very best tuners. I have two Creeks 3040 / 3140 an Arcam Alpha 1, a Denon 260 and a Marantz 6000. I keep an eye on the Db signal reading on the Marantz and its just interesting to compare these budget tuners.
I have a fetish for big vintage tuners but havent got room for them.
I admire the Quad FM4 with the focus to label just a few presets with BBC lettering. I never neded more than a few presets I live the sound and simpicity of the Creek 3040
Best wishes
martinjohn308
26-06-2017, 03:48
Yes Ron Smith died a few years back his engineers travelled miles installing the Galaxy 17. His son George runs it now but doesn't carry out installations.
I bought a Naim 101 with Snaps new in 1988 I have a rotator on the aerial and I get got reception.
Regards,
Martin
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.