digital tuner VS analog tuner

danger boy
danger boy Posts: 15,722
edited September 2007 in Electronics
this is in now way scientific.. just my observation today.

I did an A/B test on two older tuners I have hooked up to my SDA 2 ch separates..

The analog tuner is a Pioneer TX-7800 and the digital tuner is a Kenwood KT58

I know the Pioneer dates from around 1979 or so.. I'm not sure about the Kenwood. I can't find any info on it.. but I'm guessing mid 80's or so.

Basically I hooked up both of them using the same signal cable 2's to my pre amp.
and I tuned both tuners to the same stations and switched between both tuners back and forth.

The Kenwood KT-58 beat the analog Pioneer for clairity without any problems. I was disappointed in the Pioneer TX-7800 as my other Pioneer is such a good tuner. My other Pioneer tuner is a TX-9500II.. and is still my reference tuner that I haven't found any used tuners I have owned that sound better than that one. I guess not all tuners by the same company sound the same at all.
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Post edited by danger boy on
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Comments

  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited September 2007
    http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/

    More tuna information and comparisons than you can imagine.

    The best tunas were made before 1985 IMHO.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,954
    edited September 2007
    The best tunas were made prior to about 1966, actually (although I'll give Dick Sequerra credit for the Sequerra tuners he did quite a while after the 10B).

    Your Marantz 10B
    Your REL Precedent
    Your McIntosh MR-67 and MR-71 (OK, the MR-78's pretty nice, too)
    Your Fisher FM-1000
    Your Rodhe & Schartz EMS broadcast monitor

    Now, I'll grant you that some of the later, solid state tuners (e.g., some of the better Kenwoods) will outperform their predecessors in terms of RF/IF performance (sensitivity/selectivity) but not (generally) sonically, or in terms of sheer soul.

    Heck, I really like my humble little Sherwood S-2000 and S-3000, which sound really great and cost really little.

    TX2andbottlehead.jpg
    Just my NSHOs of course...
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2007
    I can't believe how well the tuner works in my MX115(circa 1971-4).
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,838
    edited September 2007
    DB, any tuner that old could benefit from a service/filter upgrade/alignment. Analog tuners are especially in need of this since the variable capacitor gets dirty and the circuit doesn't perform the same because of this. The digital tuners are more resistant to changes over time, but they can still be improved with an alignment.
    So, its not really fair to compare a tuner that is almost 30 years old to a newer one unless the older tuner is seviced and working to its full potential.

    Not really sure if the TX-7800 is worth sinking any money into or not though.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited September 2007
    Some of the best tuners ever made are still being built by these guys. http://www.magnumdynalab.com/fmtuner-md109.htm
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited September 2007
    I use my Polk XM tuna all the time..

    I really think my Parasound T/DQ-1600 is one of the best I have ever had, even better than the Nakamichi.

    I also have an old Fisher that I got from Russman , for my uncle to use in the Rig that I have been putting together for him....
    I have not used it much, but I do know that each one of these is a completely different animal...


    seems like I have a tuna from every 15-20 years apart...70`s, 90`s & now

    That magnum looks pretty cool, although I don`t know of anyone that has owned one
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited September 2007
    Mrh, have I seen that picture before? ;)

    I use a mono Sherwood S-3000 II in the whole house rig, one of the best sounding tunas I've had. I've got a few Sherwoods I've been hording, they just sound SO good.

    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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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2007
    agree with billbillw.. that this older Pioneer tuner could benefit from an filter and maybe cap upgrade and complete alignment.. it's unfortunate that I don't have a qualified enough repair shop here that will do it correctly. and as he said, may not even be worth the cost to me.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited September 2007
    old tuna`s are KOOL !~
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited September 2007
    I just bought the Rotel RT1084 and am waiting for it to arrive. I'm hopeing it is as good as I have heard, we'll see this week.

    Dave
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited September 2007
    I was really supprised at how well the Parasound sounded !

    I bought it to match my HCA-1000, and the 850 pre..

    it`s my garage rig...with a pir of 38i`s


    I would love to get one of those old 200 lb tuna`s from back in the day...like I see in old school threads..

    Hey DB, got any pic`s ?
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,954
    edited September 2007
    Mrh, have I seen that picture before?
    Well, yah, but at least it's not the one I usually use! :-)

    Didn't know you were a Sherwood tuna guy!
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