Listening to my MR85

[prepress]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......I like both the MR85 and the MR88 tuners. I have each one on separate outside antennas so no splitter to degrade the signal from a single antenna. The MR88 selectivity is better on the MR88. It is able to pull in listenable signals from greater distances than the MR85. When listening to late night jazz broadcast from the University of Florida NPR station I prefer the MR88. I have no issues with the sound of the MR85. It produces an good stereo image and clean sound but the MR88 pulls in the same stations and more, plus the MR88 receives the new HDFM signals that sound very good and are completely interference free. There is a lot to like abut the MR88.

Thanks for the input. Sounds like the MR88 is what I want, if I change out tuners. Still thinking about that.

Audio Classics will be at the NY Audio Show next month, which I'm thinking of attending. They have some M85 tuners in stock. My Magnum Dynalab MD 90 sounds good, but I'm being spoiled (corrupted?) by all the Mac gear and talk. I'm dangerously curious about a Mac tuner now.

[Grasshopper]

I just picked up a pre-owned MAC6700 integrated, with a build on tuner.

I have the McIntosh AM antennae, what do you tuner folks use as an FM antennae?

[AudioGremlin]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

I just picked up a pre-owned MAC6700 integrated, with a build on tuner.

I have the McIntosh AM antennae, what do you tuner folks use as an FM antennae?

It really depends upon your location relative to your selected FM stations. If you're close by a simple indoor T antenna may do. To successfully receive more distant stations you will probably need an exterior antenna with gain i.e. yagi array or similar. If you go the (crazy) 'high-end' route you could always have a remotely steered mast mounted high-gain antenna system

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by AudioGremlin

It really depends upon your location relative to your selected FM stations. If you're close by a simple indoor T antenna may do. To successfully receive more distant stations you will probably need an exterior antenna with gain i.e. yagi array or similar. If you go the (crazy) 'high-end' route you could always have a remotely steered mast mounted high-gain antenna system

I don’t have the appetite for an exterior FM Antennae, so it’ll have to be indoor.

Can I just buy a regular cheap-o one (like at radio shack) or is there a better quality one you’d recommend (ideally something I could buy on amazon)?

[AudioGremlin]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

I don’t have the appetite for an exterior FM Antennae, so it’ll have to be indoor.

Can I just buy a regular cheap-o one (like at radio shack) or is there a better quality one you’d recommend (ideally something I could buy on amazon)?

You could try a really cheap one just to see how you get on. If that doesn't work well then it'll definitely need a re-think.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by audiogremlin

you could try a really cheap one just to see how you get on. If that doesn't work well then it'll definitely need a re-think.

10-4!

[vegaracer1]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

10-4!

I have a cheapo eBay ant. It is amplified and will pull in a couple stations in my rural area. Normally I only have one station so the improvement is considerable.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by vegaracer1

I have a cheapo eBay ant. It is amplified and will pull in a couple stations in my rural area. Normally I only have one station so the improvement is considerable.

Cool. Thanks!

[vegaracer1]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Cool. Thanks!

Many choices, 5.00 to 250.00. I guess it all depends on your area and the strength of the signal. Mine doubles as a TV antenna.

[stereo_5]

prepress...…………..

I had a Magnum Dynalab MD90 and I moved up to a MR85 which I bought from Mike at Audio Classics last September. I like it much better, sounds wonderful and never loses the station. I am using a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna. My main rig had a Magnum Dynalab MD100 tuner and I replaced it with a MR88 FM HD tuner. This one sounds a bit better than the MR85 and I listen to it for hours on end. I am running another Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna for this one as well.

I paid 835.00 for the MR85 rated a B1 and the MR88 was 2600.00 also rated a B1 from Audio Classics. The price difference is quite substantial between the two tuners, so take that into consideration. Either way, you can't go wrong.