Straight forward question, I hope. Are Magnum Dynalab tuners really as good as I’ve heard? I have the opportunity to pick up a FT101a locally for what looks to be a fair price. I’ve had a couple tuners in my system over the years and I can’t say any of them ever did much for me.
I like mine, but I don’t think it’s the best tuner imaginable, but I can’t afford the very best. I like the tube stage and balanced output. . . . Decent sound. I live in an area that I only want to hear about four stations and my favorite is over sixty miles away and doesn’t always come in extremely well. . . sigh.
Would a Magnum Dynalab F-205R FM Signal Amplifier help with the weak favourite?
Perhaps, but too expensive for my blood these days.
They are very good, as was the no longer available Fanfare tuner.
Keep in mind however the sound from a good tuner is still compromised by the incoming signal. It will not sound as good as a CD, but still vastly better than the average tuner.
I am enjoying an MD106T tuner but I always enjoyed their tuners even their entry level tuners.
MD 105 owner here. Worth every dime I paid for it. Remember a super tuner can be no better than the signal it’s fed. I’m lucky to have a superb signal from WFMT Chicago to listen to. Oh and do yourself a favor by investing in a decent antenna. Not one of those cheap 300 ohm ribbon things. If you’re going to buy a fine tuner, it’s worth buying a good antenna for it. Enjoy.
I have one also. I listen to radio (WBGO) every day. It’s excellent.
I used to check a website called fmtunerinfo.com about all the models of the FM tuners. There is a review of the FT101a ! That model is a great candidate for audiophile modification !
Having had one and since sold it I’d say they are fine, but my butt ugly Mitsubishi DA-F10, DA-F20 and Kenwood KT-7020 out performed it sonically. The DA-F20 being my preferred tuner to this day.
Check out the Tuner Information Center for an unbiased comparative review of various tuners.
You are best off with a Channel Master FM antenna and a CDE-HAM-2 rotator on a high mast, (36 feet), with a Channel Master FM preamplifier mounted at the antenna balun. I have this set up at my summer home and it will pull in FM from 75-80 miles away with either a Mitsubishi DA-F10, DA-F20 or the now long gone KT-7020. In my college days I worked with a fellow student and professor in a sideline business, Tele-Comm Co., installing satellite earth stations, TV and FM antennas. You need to start with a quality antenna and Fm preamplifier. The professor was Paul Mayes at UI Urbana, specializing in electromagnetics, and log-periodic antenna design.
To my ear it seems a lot of what is put out on FM that merits listening is mp3 at best. I know of several FM station exceptions, but they are rare and typically community radio, driven by audio oriented djs spinning vinyl live. BTW, WFMT is a national treasure, and WNUR is a plain riot to listen to, especially their morning jazz.
Antenna wise I have a large one mounted inside my attic and it’s pointed halfway between Baltimore and Washington. I also have an even bigger one on the chimney, pointed the same way. I’d have no issue adding a rotor to the outside one if there were stations I wanted and that would pull them in. I’ve always believed an antenna in the attic at a minimum was needed for acceptable radio performance. The tuner is currently attached to the one in the attic but that could easily be switched. It sounds like it would be a good investment to pick up the tuner. Thanks everyone.
I really enjoy mine.
The tubes seem to soften and warm the FM feed a bit.
I use a Magnum Dynalab antenna (not absolutely sure they make 'em but they sell 'em on their web site) that works great for me. Its called the ST-2 Omnidirectional FM Antenna.
I installed it along the inside edge of a window in the bonus room that houses my HT/Stereo combination system.
My tuner is an upgraded Etude, which was modified to 102T specs. way back in 2007.
Here are some pictures, just for fun:
Once dialed in on a good station, it’s a really enjoyable source. I don’t use it a lot, but I like to throw it on in the background sometimes and listen to dedicated music programs from time to time.
I would not hesitate to recommend a MD Tuner.
FWIW.
[Note: I have no idea why the images keep rotating when they load. I played with them on the desk top and no matter what I do, they load so they are rotated as shown .]
I will say that when I listen to the radio, it’s for background music or news. SQ has never been a consideration as long as the signal is free of static.
For me it would depend on the programming, news I listen, jazz I listen, classical I listen, otherwise it is background or off. Having two tuners presently neither see use anymore. I can get what I need streaming with a more reliable signal. In general the programming is not worth the effort save WFMT, WNUR, and some community radio.
It’s all good. I needed to do some neck exercise anyway
That’s affirmative. I have a MD102T going strong for over 10 years. I listen to local jazz/classical FM station without an antennae. Unless you’re in the boonies or something, the ST-2 FM antenna should work just fine.