Sirius/XM satellite radio tuners

dragon1952
dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
edited May 2011 in The Clubhouse
I'm seriously considering getting this service for my Sirius/XM ready receiver. So are there tuners/antennae with better SQ or are they all pretty much the same? I've been researching this I can't seem to find a straight answer.
2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited May 2011
    You do Google searches up the arse and all you get is garbage. Try searching for best option for installing on a home XM/Sirius ready receiver, or any variation of that and you get everything but what you are looking for. As far as sound quality there has got to be best or better option here.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited May 2011
    Nah, they're all pretty much the same. I once tested Polk's home XM tuner against an XM Roady, or what ever it was called. They sounded EXACTLY the same, FWIW. The signal is the same in both, so...

    Your looking for background tunes, anyway, right???
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2011
    amulford wrote: »
    Nah, they're all pretty much the same. I once tested Polk's home XM tuner against an XM Roady, or what ever it was called. They sounded EXACTLY the same, FWIW. The signal is the same in both, so...

    Your looking for background tunes, anyway, right???

    You mean the upgraded DAC in the Polk XM tuner is no better than those in the portable units? I'm currently using a Samsung NeXus 25 with home dock to feed my 2 channel and whole-house audio system.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited May 2011
    amulford wrote: »
    Nah, they're all pretty much the same. I once tested Polk's home XM tuner against an XM Roady, or what ever it was called. They sounded EXACTLY the same, FWIW. The signal is the same in both, so...

    Your looking for background tunes, anyway, right???

    Yes, background music while I'm on the treadmill or in the kitchen. But it would be nice if it was better than Sonic Tap over the DTV receiver :frown:
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,624
    edited May 2011
    To be honest, I've noticed more of a tonal difference in radio vs. HDradio than I have in radio vs. satellite quality.....and satellite radio is much better than what you get over DTV.......
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2011
    brettw22 wrote: »
    To be honest, I've noticed more of a tonal difference in radio vs. HDradio than I have in radio vs. satellite quality.....and satellite radio is much better than what you get over DTV.......

    So which would you say provides the best sound quality?

    1. Regular FM Radio?
    2. HD Radio?
    3. Satellite Radio?
    4. DirecTV?
    5. Pandora?
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,624
    edited May 2011
    In order of how I like the sound, generally speaking:

    HD Radio
    Satellite
    Regular FM = Pandora
    DirecTV
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited May 2011
    dragon1952 wrote: »
    Yes, background music while I'm on the treadmill or in the kitchen. But it would be nice if it was better than Sonic Tap over the DTV receiver :frown:

    It should be a little better. but if your looking for it to sound like a cd, it ain't gonna happen.

    I used to get Sirius over my Dish connection, and had to turn it up more for some reason. I think it was the receiver's output.
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited May 2011
    Serendipity wrote: »
    You mean the upgraded DAC in the Polk XM tuner is no better than those in the portable units? I'm currently using a Samsung NeXus 25 with home dock to feed my 2 channel and whole-house audio system.

    No, not at all. What I am saying is the signal is still the same, regardless. You could be sending it through a CAL Alpha...

    I found it to sound the same. YMMV, of course...
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited May 2011
    Actually the Highspeed version of Sirius via Computer is better sounding but as far as receivers go I think they all sound the same personally.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2011
    amulford wrote: »
    No, not at all. What I am saying is the signal is still the same, regardless. You could be sending it through a CAL Alpha...

    I found it to sound the same. YMMV, of course...

    Interesting. I thought Polk advertised the XRT12 tuner as "reference" and the main selling point was sound quality.

    Now if the standalone tuners really sound the same as my portable, then I guess I just saved a few hundred bucks. I've always been looking for an XRT12 or other home audio tuner.

    From Amazon: "The XRt12 sounds better than other XM home appliances because of its high-grade parts and construction. If you already have XM in your home, Polk is certain you're not yet hearing its full sonic potential. The XRt12 maintains low noise and low distortion, delivering music that approaches CD sound quality. The digital bits and bytes of satellite radio must be converted to analog for listening, a job handled by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The reference tuner uses a Burr-Brown DAC, widely regarded as the best in the industry. "
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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