Analog vs Digital tuners.

camp21178
camp21178 Posts: 273
edited May 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
There are so many experienced audiophiles here that I thought you folks might have an opinion. I have 4 analog receivers, 2 digital receivers, one analog tuner and one digital tuner. I have listened to all of them for many many hours, and have listened to some of them side by side, and I have come to one conclusion, to me, the analog tuners sound way better. Maybe it's just me, should it even matter? Maybe I just love the blue glow from my Marantz 2220b or the neat lighted dials of my other gear and it influences my decision. Any thoughts?
Post edited by camp21178 on
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited May 2011
    If you truly want great sound from the radio pick up a sonos ZP90 and use a external DAC like a Cambridge Dac Magic. Not to mention everything else it can do wil only add to your musical experience.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited May 2011
    It's not really the analog/digital - it's the care taken with and quality of the "back end" of the tuner, after the RF amplifier, oscillator, mixer, IFs, limiters, and detector.

    Here's another hint: think "vacuum tubes" and you'll be home.

    P1020751.jpg
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,447
    edited May 2011
    there are some very nice Digital tuners. I will always gravitate towards a good Sansui or Kenwood analog any day

    Tuners i have had include Yamaha Tx930,ct 600,Carver Tx11b and my favorite and current tuner Sansui Tu719
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  • 55LS70
    55LS70 Posts: 184
    edited May 2011
    I just hooked up a Mapleshade modded H.H Scott 330D tuner and 335 multiplex adaptor and it sounds great. Well, at least when compared to the slightly modded Pioneer TX-6500 II it replaced. There's no comparison. What mhardy6647 says is good advice. "Think "vacuum tubes.""
    Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's

    Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC

    Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
    upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand

    Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's

    H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited May 2011
    If you really use FM for a lot of your music, a Yagi antenna mounted on the outdoors on the roof, with a rotor will make a major difference in the quality of your reception and sound. You have no idea how good FM can sound with a good outdoor antenna. I think the Antennacraft FM-6 sells for about $50 without a rotor. You can also buy the omni directional type.

    So, once you mount an antenna on the roof how do you know where to point it? Go to: http://fmfool.com/

    Put in your address and you can see where all the FM station transmitters are relative to your home. Very cool website!
    Carl

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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,047
    edited May 2011
    My modded Sansui TU-717 puts out a beautiful sound. It compares favorably with my CDP. And I'm only running it off a T antenna.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2011
    55LS70 wrote: »
    I just hooked up a Mapleshade modded H.H Scott 330D tuner and 335 multiplex adaptor and it sounds great. Well, at least when compared to the slightly modded Pioneer TX-6500 II it replaced. There's no comparison. What mhardy6647 says is good advice. "Think "vacuum tubes.""

    X3 on the tube tuners! My Pilot is just as good as the best Mac, Marantz and Fisher's of the day, Mh's Sherwood and 55's Scott can hold their own too.

    The Pilot just has it's orginal antenna stapled to the back of the cabinet, it pulls stations like a train. Get a tube tuner if you lsten to a lot of FM.

    Pilot002.jpg
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited May 2011
    In my exp. Fm brosdcast quality stinks regardless of" tuners" used haven't listened to fm (per say) since I started streaming. Have access to most local and all over the world with much,much better sound. Would like to have a really cool looking tube tuner just for the visual impact but would still stream for listening!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited May 2011
    Good sounding FM stations may still be found in many major markets - for best results, start 92 MHz and work one's way down (not up) the dial!
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,047
    edited May 2011
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Good sounding FM stations may still be found in many major markets - for best results, start 92 MHz and work one's way down (not up) the dial!

    Exactly. My station of choice is at 90.3 and is publicly funded. They play great music often off of vinyl.
    soundfreak1 wrote: »
    In my exp. Fm brosdcast quality stinks regardless of" tuners" used haven't listened to fm (per say) since I started streaming. Have access to most local and all over the world with much,much better sound. Would like to have a really cool looking tube tuner just for the visual impact but would still stream for listening!

    Streaming from the internet "much much better" than a good analog tuner? No way... not even close.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited May 2011
    soundfreak1 wrote: »
    In my exp. Fm brosdcast quality stinks regardless of" tuners" used haven't listened to fm (per say) since I started streaming. Have access to most local and all over the world with much,much better sound. Would like to have a really cool looking tube tuner just for the visual impact but would still stream for listening!

    I'm not sure if it is age, agenda, lack of experience or just plain ignorance, but this is an extremely uninformed opinion.

    I've purchased and auditioned 20 tuners during the past year, keeping and rebuilding/realigning two; a Kenwood KT-5020 opamp/solid state unit and a Fisher KM-60 analog/tube unit. Both compare favorably with the CD/SACD and in my opinion, exceed anything yet to be streamed. The Fisher is a sleeper and is my favorite.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited May 2011
    Live audio on top-notch FM from console through transmitter to tuner is (still, believe it or not) capable of amongst the best fidelity reproduction to be had. In the 1950s and into the 1960s, it was the reference standard for hifi reproduction.
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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2011
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Live audio on top-notch FM from console through transmitter to tuner is (still, believe it or not) capable of amongst the best fidelity reproduction to be had. In the 1950s and into the 1960s, it was the reference standard for hifi reproduction.

    Big +1, http://radio.azpm.org/classical/ in town does live feeds locally and has special live feeds fron Russia and Europe, although these come from a satellite, they still sound wonderful on the old gal :smile:
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited May 2011
    The T and rabbit ear antennas can and do sound very good. But the outdoor Yagi takes the SQ up significantly, it's not subtle!
    Carl

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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited May 2011
    schwarcw wrote: »
    The T and rabbit ear antennas can and do sound very good. But the outdoor Yagi takes the SQ up significantly, it's not subtle!

    Last fall I was able to bundle an amazing antenna and rotor plus cabling for both for not much over $100 from these folks.

    This antenna alone sells for $80 to $100 before shipping elsewhere . . . http://www.tselectronic.com/shop/product/Winegard-HD6055P-Platinum-Series-Finest-Outdoor-FM-Antenna/43

    As good as a basic antenna can sound, get one of these 40 or so feet in the air and you will begin to get a feel for what broadcast FM can do.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    I prefer an analog tuner.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited May 2011
    I prefer analog over digital in many forms but for radio analog is a must. With Tubes is even better.
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited May 2011
    Don't mean to be arguementative but" WAY" I've not tried tube tuners yet in the several I've tried were flat, no soundstage to speak of and absoultly no dynamic range just laking in every way and I live in the tampa bay area not B. F. E. Its not even a contest! Side by side in real time compairisins now I primarily stream from pandora and am very pleased with the sound. I'm using a bluetooth direct imput to my pre and it never ceases to amaze me! I will agree that some streaming sources don't measure up to pandora but I can hear (not deft) and the diff. Is dramatic maybe the 1/2 doz. Of so tuners I've tried have been crap, even had one in the shop thinking it needed to be realigned and adjusted but the tech said it was within fact. Specs. And didn't charge me!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited May 2011
    Just for the record (inspiredsports) I'm 57, have no agenda (except trying to learn more) and have been into audio sinse I was 15. Albeit (midfi) up until the last 6+ years when I stepped up ( for me) to some nice equip. Also don't think I ignorant either!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    I have no need or interest in tube tuners, just an analog design. Tubes are overrated.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited May 2011
    Not in a tuna boss. Id rather have a good mono tube unit than a stereo solid state. I know it's an odd statement but in my experience 7 or more tubes in the unit and the sound is substantially better. Get up in the 9 to 13 tube range, wow. The 5 tube units, eh take it or leave it.
    Cheers
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    Potatoes, Potahtoes.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited May 2011
    The real issue is having anything worthwhile to tune in the first place. Thank goodness for NPR and a few college stations around here. Other than that its all Clear Channel and no thank you.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited May 2011
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Potatoes, Potahtoes.

    Absolutely, to each his own. I have ta agree with Russ on this though. The more tubes the better.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited May 2011
    You "more tubes" guys need to pick up a 1930s E.H. Scott radio...
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited May 2011
    Scott_350D.JPG

    HH Scott 350D, circa 1964-67, 9 tube all analog FM goodness.

    I love this thing...
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited May 2011
    This is beginning to read like a cable thread. Toobs Rule.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2011
    mantis wrote: »
    If you truly want great sound from the radio pick up a sonos ZP90 and use a external DAC like a Cambridge Dac Magic. Not to mention everything else it can do wil only add to your musical experience.

    You hit the nail right on the head with this one! I never heard the Cambridge Dac Magic so I can't comment...but I will comment on the hot rodded Music Hall tube DAC that I have paired up with the Sonos ZP90 & it is off the charts smooooooth!!!! Internet radio, local stations, Rhapsody, Pandora, my ripped CD's, you name it it flat out sounds delightful. By the way, what's a tuner? :wink:
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • camp21178
    camp21178 Posts: 273
    edited May 2011
    4485 silvertone.jpg
    My favorite tube tuner. A 1937 Silvertone 4485 that I inherited from my Grandparents. I started playing with that thing in the early 60s and fell in love with it. Still works pretty well.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited May 2011
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    By the way, what's a tuner? :wink:

    What the OP asked to discuss with NO MENTION of digital streaming :rolleyes:
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter