A B tuner test results
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bikezappa
Posts: 2,463
Hi Well I finally got around to setting up a comparison A B test. Recently I purchased a Pioneer F91 tuner that was advertised as being in excellent condition for a very low price. I connected it up as was just amazed and blown away with the sound. I listened with the new tuner to an afternoon of the live Met broadcast and was very impressed. The next day I listened to another small college station that usually plays an afternoon of a capella groups. I was totally amazed by the stereo separation and bass output of this tuner with these singers.
I then tried to set up a reasonable A B comparison which I know was not perfect. I had purchased an antenna switcher from Radio Shack that was remote controlled. I connected my antenna input to the switcher and connected the two output antenna connections to the Pioneer and my Revox tuner. I then connected the out put of both tuners to tape 1 and tape 2 of my Revox amplifier. The Revox amplifier allows you to adjust the input levels of tape 1 and tape 2 to so that you can match the sound levels to each other. I didn't use a sound level meter but just used my ears to match these levels between the Pioneer and Revox tuners. I listened and compared the two tuners with only one powerful FM station. I had very good signal strength on both tuners. The big bass was there on the Pioneer and was also there with the Revox. I switched back and fourth between both tuners for 30 minutes. I had the Radio Shack remote antenna switcher in my left hand and the Revox amplifier remote in my right. I would switch from antenna A to B while at the same time I would switch from tape 1 to tape 2. I only did this comparison with one powerful FM station. The sound was the same on both tuners. I couldn't tell the difference between either tuner if my life depended on it. Both tuners sounded great and had equally quiet back ground noise. The big bass that I first heard when connecting the Pioneer was also there on my Revox.
Maybe the newness of the Pioneer tuner made me listen more closely and that is why I noticed the bass and separation more. I don't know. I will try to repeat this test with a more difficult FM station with less signal strength and with more back ground noise to see if I can detect differences between the tuners.
Peter
I then tried to set up a reasonable A B comparison which I know was not perfect. I had purchased an antenna switcher from Radio Shack that was remote controlled. I connected my antenna input to the switcher and connected the two output antenna connections to the Pioneer and my Revox tuner. I then connected the out put of both tuners to tape 1 and tape 2 of my Revox amplifier. The Revox amplifier allows you to adjust the input levels of tape 1 and tape 2 to so that you can match the sound levels to each other. I didn't use a sound level meter but just used my ears to match these levels between the Pioneer and Revox tuners. I listened and compared the two tuners with only one powerful FM station. I had very good signal strength on both tuners. The big bass was there on the Pioneer and was also there with the Revox. I switched back and fourth between both tuners for 30 minutes. I had the Radio Shack remote antenna switcher in my left hand and the Revox amplifier remote in my right. I would switch from antenna A to B while at the same time I would switch from tape 1 to tape 2. I only did this comparison with one powerful FM station. The sound was the same on both tuners. I couldn't tell the difference between either tuner if my life depended on it. Both tuners sounded great and had equally quiet back ground noise. The big bass that I first heard when connecting the Pioneer was also there on my Revox.
Maybe the newness of the Pioneer tuner made me listen more closely and that is why I noticed the bass and separation more. I don't know. I will try to repeat this test with a more difficult FM station with less signal strength and with more back ground noise to see if I can detect differences between the tuners.
Peter
Post edited by bikezappa on
Comments
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You didn't say which Revox tuner you have as they made a few very,very good one's, however the Elite F91 is easily one of Pioneer's better efforts.
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I think it is the B 260S tuner with 60 presets. It is a real work of art that cost $2500 new in 1980s.
I get mixed up with all the id numbers. -
I have a Revox B226 CD Player from the same era as your tuner. I am also a tunerbug. I have a Philips AH6731, A Denon TU-767 and an SAE T14. Currently I am running with the T14 I find that people are always surpised at the sound quality you can get form a good tuner.
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I have the B 150, 160 tuner and amp and then went nuts and got the B 250 and 260S tuner and amp. I also have their great reciever B?? I forgot the numbers.
I have always wanted the B225 or 226 CD player to complete the set. How do the old Revox Cd players compare to the new stuff? They aren't cheap even 20 years old.
I really like the remote that goes with the B series. It does every thing with logic and simplity. What remote do you know of that can select speakers A or B?
I have a few tuners and you are right people are amazed what a good tuner and antenna can sound like. I love the live FM broadcasts form WGBH in Boston with no compresion. -
My ol’ 226 has become more like a museum piece to me than an active component in my system (although it still works) the sound is lovely; though not quite up to the standard of the 226S. Unfortunately I never got the remote with mine; if you have had yours since new you are likely aware that they were not included and cost a small fortune at that time as an added option. Still if I could go back…..
A good tuner is great thing; I can’t get into to satellite radio because it sounds so terrible by comparison. One of my summer projects this year is going to be to erect new external FM antennae. I am looking forward to it.
Nice to find a fellow Revox fan. -
lakesailor
I have tried to buy a Revox B226 or B225 cd player with bad luck. The first one i bought was broken and resold it for a big loss. The others I just don't bid high enough. I'm just worried that the CD player will not be working right but I wouldl ike to add one to my collection of Revox stuff.
Question, how well does your cd player work and what does it lack compared to the new units?
Thanks for any information.
