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Sony HD Tuner
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pmsummer
simul justus et peccator
Old_Tech
Yer-isn't!
What are you looking for in a tuner? HD or vintage sound?
RxDx
Speaker collector
Yes. There's probably nothing less than 5 times the price of the Sony (new) that will match its sensitivity and selectivity. OTOH, its sound isn't comparable, for some. But that's why they make EQs
geiman
E Wave appellation #49
I was going to buy the Sony but decided to do radio station streams on the internet instead. Why? two things, 1. There are no good program sources at the classical station I listen to. They play vinyl and tape as well as internet feeds such as broadcasts from the Dutch National Orchestra for example. Their internet feed doesn't have all the broadcast "hash".
Plus on the internet I can listen to virtually any radio station in the world. Nearly all of them stream on the internet.
I just plug my laptop in my aux input and away we go!
Plus on the internet I can listen to virtually any radio station in the world. Nearly all of them stream on the internet.
I just plug my laptop in my aux input and away we go!
whyaskit
music.
I have owned both and while I love the sound of the TX-9100, I still own the Sony HD tuner.
Why? You may ask. There is some really good HD2 and HD3 stations that I really like and they have less ads. It is not a bad sounding tuner, it is just a little sterile sounding when compared to the 9100.
For me, the extra stations, less noise and features were worth it. The TX-9100 is a very good and quiet reciever. It sounds just fantastic, lush!
So what is more important to you?
Why? You may ask. There is some really good HD2 and HD3 stations that I really like and they have less ads. It is not a bad sounding tuner, it is just a little sterile sounding when compared to the 9100.
For me, the extra stations, less noise and features were worth it. The TX-9100 is a very good and quiet reciever. It sounds just fantastic, lush!
So what is more important to you?
Bob@FM
Well-Known Member
Interesting thread.
The Sony is neither warm or vintage sounding. It excels at sensitivity and selectivity.
If you need neither, you should consider another tuner.
Disregard anyone telling you you need to spend 5X to get warm or vintage sound.
Try a Kenwood KT-8005, Sherwood S3000IV or S3000V, Fisher KM-60, all usually sold for less than 100. IF you want warm vintage sound.
Back to you Jim.
RadShak1251
Super Member
Except for a couple stations here, one listener-supported and the other a college station, I finally gave up on commercial OTA radio in the late 90s.
Horrible music choices, way too many commercials and airhead DJs that knew nothing about the music they played.......but mostly because of the lousy music! Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to listen to the old tunes, the newer stuff and especially, discovering brand new material which has really been an exciting development for me.
Btw there are more and more internet-capable table radios, some with outputs for a component system, and a few standalone "tuners" that don't need a computer at all to work, and instead just need a working broadband modem (our 5.1mbps DSL modem has no problem with any streams I've encountered; not surprising since it can also handle the much more data-intensive 720P hi-def videos on Youtube and other video sites).
And most "stations" sound decent, at least for enjoying the music itself if not at the highest resolution, since the minimum streaming rate nowadays is usually 128kbps, with more and more using the 256kbps rate which via my $120 Altec-Lansing computer speakers, for all practical purposes sounds like a CD. And one college station I was recently made aware of, 90.1 KEXP Seattle, uses a 1411kbps rate which IS the data rate of a CD - cool!
Back when I was in college I always planned on owning a nice standalone tuner along with a nice outdoor antenna w/rotator. I am still considering doing this for the few stations I still like to listen to, mostly because I simply enjoy fiddling with gear that deals with those invisible waves out there.
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Old_Tech
Yer-isn't!
I was listening to my Sony last night it was a live HD broadcast. The sound was just fantastic. I have found especially with my new speakers I am enjoying it's quiet and distinct sound more so than my vintage gear which tends to sound warm yet will not bring out quite the detail the Sony does. With HD alot will depend on the program quality you are listening to and your reception.
I would have enjoyed the vintage gear equally as well during this program but the Sony really did sound that much better to me. For the price it's just amazing and if coupled to an outside antenna you have a great match for exceptional sound. I have vintage tuners I paid some bucks for and yes they do sound warm and I really enjoy them but the Sony is miles ahead in sound quality partly due to the fact it is new technology, parts and engineering.
I would have enjoyed the vintage gear equally as well during this program but the Sony really did sound that much better to me. For the price it's just amazing and if coupled to an outside antenna you have a great match for exceptional sound. I have vintage tuners I paid some bucks for and yes they do sound warm and I really enjoy them but the Sony is miles ahead in sound quality partly due to the fact it is new technology, parts and engineering.
markc2
Super Member
So far so good, just bought mine about 1/2 hour ago. Seems to run a little hot. Goes well with my tubes so far. I might have to switch the 5751's out of my c220, seems like it needs a bit more gain.
It actually has in my system a spring in it's step which is kind of nice. Voices especially when the live announcer talks are quite nice.
I am waiting patiently to see if it gives me my digital headache I get sometimes.
It looks very nice feels a more expensive than what it is. The size is kind of cool. Nagra size anyone?
Mark
It actually has in my system a spring in it's step which is kind of nice. Voices especially when the live announcer talks are quite nice.
I am waiting patiently to see if it gives me my digital headache I get sometimes.
It looks very nice feels a more expensive than what it is. The size is kind of cool. Nagra size anyone?
Mark
geiman
E Wave appellation #49
Thanks for the tip for the Seattle radio station, Radshack. Here's a quality feed for you to enjoy.
http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/webradio
http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/webradio
Old_Tech
Yer-isn't!
Except for a couple stations here, one listener-supported and the other a college station, I finally gave up on commercial OTA radio in the late 90s.
Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to listen to the old tunes, the newer stuff and especially, discovering brand new material which has really been an exciting development for me.
Btw there are more and more internet-capable table radios, some with outputs for a component system, and a few standalone "tuners" that don't need a computer at all to work, and instead just need a working broadband modem (our 5.1mbps DSL modem has no problem with any streams I've encountered; not surprising since it can also handle the much more data-intensive 720P hi-def videos on Youtube and other video sites).
And most "stations" sound decent, at least for enjoying the music itself if not at the highest resolution, since the minimum streaming rate nowadays is usually 128kbps, with more and more using the 256kbps rate which via my $120 Altec-Lansing computer speakers, for all practical purposes sounds like a CD. And one college station I was recently made aware of, 90.1 KEXP Seattle, uses a 1411kbps rate which IS the data rate of a CD - cool!
Back when I was in college I always planned on owning a nice standalone tuner along with a nice outdoor antenna w/rotator. I am still considering doing this for the few stations I still like to listen to, mostly because I simply enjoy fiddling with gear that deals with those invisible waves out there.
I had the Squeezebox gear for awhile on a tryout and I agree the music that can be found and the quality of some is just amazing. especially when compared to local FM broadcasts. CD quality -you bet! I finally got rid of the Squeezebox service as I found most of their highest rated streams did not even connect although the few that did sounded real nice.
Get yourself a helper first and then put up that outdoor antenna you will really have some fun!
RadShak1251
Super Member
Thanks geiman. I've been dabbling on & off with listening to classical and this looks like it will help me to figure out which categories I like.
I have a few albums of classical(?) music, for example: "The Firebird Suite" (on Telarc - watch out for the bass in this recording!!); "Pictures At An Exhibition" (a Living Stereo CD); "Grandcanyon Suite" by...I forgot!
on thrift store vinyl. This may sound strange but some non-classical albums helped me get interested in this category, in particular The Seduction of Claude Debussy released in 1999 by The Art of Noise. Here's the title track. There are voice overs scattered through the entire album by the British actor John Hurt that describes Debussy and his music, the track "The Holy Egoism Of Genius" in particular.
RadShak1251
Super Member
:yes:
And being interested in shortwave, I might also use it to hold up one side of a looooong single-wire antenna. Despite what the internet offers, there is still something kind of mysterious & entertaining to me about hearing music and voices via invisible waves from all the way 'round the planet.
