[net.audio] How to Choose a Tuner

tom@rlgvax.UUCP (Tom Beres) (09/29/83)

Recently there was a question asking how to choose a receiver (or was
it asking for recommendations?  Well, the following is still good advice).

The October issue of Hi Fidelity mag has an EXCELLENT article on
choosing a receiver.  It discusses what to look for, when to look
at the specs and when to sit back and listen, and even gives a good idea
of what to expect in the various price ranges! I found the article
informative, easy to read, and astonishingly USEFUL, rather than the
usual "Thy Specs be Law" and "there's no substitute for $$$" the audio
mags (HF included) usually preach. The article was written by E. Brad
Meyer, who does not work for HF, which may explain its overall quality.

Some of the points:
	What watts and DBW watts mean in terms of volume.
	Don't worry about the power-amp specs(!)
	Do worry about the tuner specs
	Try to listen to the receiver using the same phono cartridge
		you plan to use and similar speakers (the receiver/
		pickup combination will cause about the largest difference
		between systems).

My note:  the last point may be idealistic, since the stereo shop may
not be able to demo the cartidge you are planning on.  If you already
own a turntable/cartridge, perhaps bring your cartidge with you?


- Tom Beres
{seismo, allegra, mcnc, brl-bmd, we13, gatech}!rlgvax!tom