Need help with Magnum Dynalab MD 90
 

Maybe this is the place to ask this.

I have a Magnum Dynalab MD 90, using a Day Sequerra FM Urban Antenna. There are several stations the MD picks up but gets no sound on. Apparently the tuner can't pull in the signal well enough to matter. The stereo LED is on with these stations, but the signal is almost non-existent. Living in NY there is a lot of multipath to deal with. I'm across the street from Brooklyn Tech high school, which is probably another reason why reception is tricky.

I wonder if MD's MD-205 Signal Sleuth will help, since it would amplify signals, or do I need to consider a new antenna or (gasp) tuner to pull in more stations in an urban environment?

Have you tried a simple dipole?

Not on the MD; I have one on the Harmon Kardon receiver in the bedroom. I could, if I can figure out how to situate it properly, try one and see what happens just to get an idea.

Charles.......Perhaps it is time to send the MD 90 to the factory for a total alignment. It will come back like new.


http://www.magnumdynalab.com/images/...md90-large.jpg






Or, maybe it's time to let her go and replace it with the Mganum Dynalab MD 108 triode tuner. :thumbsup:


http://www.magnumdynalab.com/images/...108t-large.jpg

Thanks for the new thread.

I don't know where those "there but not there" stations are located or their formats. And there are some stations that don't come in clearly, suggesting (to me) antenna positioning or signal strength is an issue for them. In two cases, I used to get them better than I do now.

While I don't think I'll lose sleep over this, I do wonder why it's occurring, and if there's a reasonable solution. Depending upon how curious I become and how badly I want to pursue that solution, troubleshooting is in order. Steps I can think of off the top of my head include checking the settings on the MD 90, then repositioning the antenna, replacing the antenna, trying an amplifier (MD's own Signal Sleuth), then upgrading or replacing the tuner; the McIntosh MR88 popped into my head, and now MD's own 105 as well (that 108 looks nice too). Outright replacement is a last resort, of course.

Charles.......The four stage tuning is an upgrade that will impact tuner sensitivity. The Solen caps in the output stage will improve the sonic performance as will the upgraded internal wiring to the output stages. That is a reasonable upgrade price. A tuner alignment and you would be rocking again. I say get the MD90 into Magnum Dynalab and have the service performed.

The other option, list it in the Marketplace and let some other lucky person have it to get the upgrades done and own a fine Magnum Dynalab tuner.

^^^
Oh no! I'd pulled that post you quoted back to edit and ended up deleting it. I wanted to add that there's an upgrade to the MD 100 for $660. It offers:

• MD 100 audio section

• High grade polypropylene Solen capacitors in the audio path

• Upgrade the RF section with low tolerance hand selected critical components

• WBT/RCA connectors

• Balanced outputs

• Precision tuning assembly

If I decide that I really want those phanotm stations (whatever they are) and I get nowhere with the antenna, I can either go for the Sleuth or the MD 100 upgrade. It's things like this that take me down the path to "hobbydom," if I'm not careful. Well, this and curiosity. But I lean toward the 100 upgrade in a circumstance like this, frankly.

And as usual Dan, you offer good information.

Charles.......That upgrade sounds like a bargain, too. You also mentiuoned the Magnum Dynalab MD205 Signal Sleuth. I have one that I am presently using with a McIntosh MR74 tuner. It improves the signal quality of at least eight stations that used to be fringe and objectionably noisy. The MD205 is worth it's price of $440.00.

I was leaning toward going for the conversion (not upgrade) to the 100; but the Sleuth is less money (though not a huge difference). This is why the antenna angle is important. If moving the Day-Sequerra around doesn't get much traction, that would lend some weight to experiences I've had with amplified antennas; they were of limited help. But that was a different apartment, and the 205 is a different animal and probably more powerful than what I used in those other circumstances. Reception in general is dicey in this area so I'd want the best solution. NYC is a beast.

Here, therefore, is my plan. As before, I want to try repositioning the DS antenna, despite limited placement options. But depending upon those results, I will contact Magnum Dynalab and seek feedback on which option (MD205 or MD 100 conversion) offers the most bang. Or maybe I get both, even.

And away I go . . .

I heard from Magnum Dynalab today, and their preliminary assessment is I would do best to change out the antenna. They suggest their SR-100 for my particular circumstances. Or if I want, I could go for one of their internet tuners, and I could trade in my MD 90 toward that.

The antenna is only $35, so why not try that, I'm thinking, before going a more expensive route. Besides, its smaller profile would give the SR-100 more placement flexibility, even in my crowded apartment.

Charles.......The Magnum Dynalab SR-100 antenna doesn't seem to be much more than a folded dipole with a base. It's primary advantage will be ease of installation, simple to connect to your tuner, and convenient to twist around for tuning the station you want. $35.00 won't break the bank, so hopefully it will work.

As for the Magnum Dynalab Internet tuners, you will still only be listening to MP3 sound no matter how well the design is of the analog output stage. Over the air analog FM signals deliver far better frequency range and dynamics, particularly when tuned to a station that prides itself on broadcasting a high quality, low compression signal. The FM (frequency modulation) audio spectrum ranges from 20 Hz to 15,000 Hz.

Even with the huge number of stations I'd have access to, I'm not quite sold on an internet tuner. I think the idea behind the suggestion was it's a way to bypass the reception problems inherent in an environment like mine. As for the SR-100, it has gotten at least one very positive review (in Affordable$$Audio) and seems well worth a try. The reviewer lived in a bad FM reception environment as well, which is encouraging (he was using a Mac MR67 tuner, by the way). The conversion to an MD 100 is not off the table, though, pending the results with the SR-100.

I ordered the SR-100 this AM. It should arrive next week. I have a 25ft coax made by RCA (RG-6) I could try with the SR-100, as its form factor gives me a few more placement options.

Charles,
Sounds like a good plan. Using a smaller, non amplified antenna may be your best bet. Are you able to receive these phantom stations on your other receiver?

The Magnum Dynalab tuners are very sensitive, so they make excellent long distance performers. The downside is they are susceptible to overloading by strong nearby stations. You're living in an RF jungle! There may be other tuner options that would work better in your specific circumstance.

One way to tell if you have strong nearby station is a program called FM fool. You enter your address and it gives you a list of stations from strongest to weakest.

Tom

I hadn't heard of FM Fool. It may be worth a try. The SR-100 is still on backorder, so I don't have it yet. A few more days and I will contact the vendor, perhaps. Maybe I'd get an idea of when it might be coming.

There is a Harman-Kardon receiver in the bedroom with a traditional wire dipole attached; I haven't tried that in a while. But I remember getting a station or two better in there than in the living room. Location, location (I actually have a cell phone, and I get more bars in the bedroom than anywhere else in here).

As for the MD-90 itself, the idea of converting it to an MD-100 hasn't gone away; there's even an option for the MD-105, MD's top solid-state tuner. I'm pleased with the sound as is, so any conversions would be more about improved ability to pull in FM signals.

Charles,
Good luck, I hope the new antenna makes a big improvement. As you said, location is everything, so I wouldn't sink a lot of money in an upgrade unless there is a way to try it in your specific location.
Tom

In the meantime, this is the Day-Sequerra, sitting on top of one of my LP shelf racks. I've had it since the mid-90s. As you might imagine, its size precludes much variety of placement, at least in this apartment.

Hi Charles,
I found some info on your current antenna here:
https://sites.google.com/site/mpbarn...sequerratuners
It is a very well designed antenna, but it doesn't really offer any directionality so it won't help with multipath.
The SR 100 will offer some directionality, so it will be better for multipath.

Here's something you can try while waiting for your SR 100. The FM urban can be used effectively when placed horizontally. It may make a difference in your specific situation, or give you some options for placement you didn't have before. It's worth a try and it is free. The worst that can happen is no improvement. If you have a very strong local station, you can rotate the antenna to minimize the interference from that station. Also you can run a long coax cable to it, say 50 feet, with no issues. This may give you more flexibility.
Tom

Tom, I'd thought of that but never tried it, as the one place I could put the DS is occupied by equipment boxes: it's on top of two bookcases in front of a window at the front of the apartment. If I could find or make a space somewhere else for the boxes, I could do it, probably need to remove the antenna's base though. I would also have to reconfigure my system so I could relocate the tuner to the rack nearest that window, which should allow me to use my 25-ft. coax cable.

Of course, I could set this up as a test without having anywhere else for those boxes to go, just to see. . .

I'd give it a whirl, even if only temporary - getting closer to an outside wall can sometimes help a lot.

I've heard from Audio Advisor today. The SR-100 is still on backorder.

I noted there's a M88 for sale at a good price. Maybe this will go away, but I'm now wondering if I would get more stations with the M88, besides the obvious fact that the MD-90 is FM only. I have no business doing this with everything else going on here, but I may look into that idea while I wait for the STILL back-ordered SR-100.

I don't need more stations necessarily, and don't listen to most of the ones I do get, so perhaps it's a waste of time. But a good photo of an interesting product will do that . . .

UPDATE: Audio Advisor is expecting their MD order by week's end. They will ship within 24 hours after that.

Finally . . . the SR-100 shipped today! It is being shipped by USPS 2-day Priority Mail. I guess I should have it this weekend or so. Once I get it and set it up, perhaps we'll see what's what.

I am in touch with MD (Jim Richards specifically) and am considering a move to a MD102 (certified used) or the more recent MD105, which replaced the 102. Both, says Mr. Richards, are a little more sensitive than my MD90, so they may be able to pull in a few more stations. There is also the MD90SE, but he made no such statement about it being better than my MD90 at pulling in stations. It should perhaps sound a bit better, at least.

I think I'd like a 102 (if available). But I know the 105, MD's top solid-state tuner, would be a sweet spot; I'd never feel as if I needed to go further. Not that I'll have the money for such things later on.

I have found Jim Richards to be a straight shooter. I have the 108T and it is awesome. Good luck - great products. FM is still my favorite format.

Not sure what I want to do, really. The easiest on my wallet would be a new MD90SE. Part of me wants to go for it with the MD105. A 102 (if available) hits the middle ground just right. It'll be better and more sensititve than the MD90, so I might get another station or two, or some of those I get now better.

I'll get back in touch with Mr. Richards when I have a bit more clarity. The 105 is $3K, I believe; with the trade-in that's still $2200.

And I never actually tried the SR-100 antenna.

Consider a Terk FM Edge indoor amplified antenna for $35. I have one downstairs in the man cave and it hits like a champ YMMV...

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Consider also trying a signal sleuth. It straightened out some issues I had with channels I could get and added a few more that I was previously unable to receive. About $400 if I recall - worth a shot.

Best thing though - just bust it for an upgraded unit. I'm listening to the 108T now and it's awesome.

Another exchange with Jim Richards. They have a MD102 with silver faceplate available. I'd prefer a black one, but since they don't have it, I'll have to get used to silver. If I can picture that in my setup, that's the way I'd go. Otherwise, it's the MD90SE or MD105. The 90SE's audio section can be upgraded to 105 status, but I'm not sure my original purpose (a more sensititve tuner) is served by the 90SE. The certified used 102 is the less expensive option over a new 105; let me think . . .

MD can make you a black face plate for the MD102, I had one made for my MD108 several years ago...

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I put that query to Jim Richards. I'll see what he says.

It appears from his responses that the 102 and 105 are the same or similar in sensitivity. If so, I might overrule my preference for black and take the silver faceplate 102 if custom faceplates aren't an option. The 105's upgraded sound isn't a big sell right now, but I like its look. It appears to be dark aluminum, not black, but preferable to silver. I could reconfigure my system to better integrate the 102; perhaps in the center rack where my Furman SPR-20i sits; it has a partially silver faceplate, with that same dark aluminum look on the sides (the 105 could go in there too, perhaps).

Ok, MD can have the faceplate re-done in black for $250 (their cost). So I have begun the process of ordering the MD102. I gave Mr. Richards my information, and they will send me the 102 when complete; I'll then send them back the MD90.

The process is going to take three weeks, maybe four. They expect the unit back around the second week of August, then it has to ship to me. I can wait.

I have a tracking number from UPS on the MD102; estimated delivery is 9/20 by end-of-day.

Did it end up taking md a month longer than you had anticipated?

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I'd say yes, in that it took longer than I was told initially. MD expected the unit back mid-August. But it's not a big deal as long as it gets here and works.

Getting the 102 a month sooner would have made a small difference budgeting-wise, but that's about all. The UPS e-mail, sent at MD's request, came Thursday.

I'm about to send my 108t in for the se upgrade and some cosmetic changes (gold faceplate and amber lighting, instead of blue) and I hope it doesn't take two months. My tuner is easily my favorite sounding source - two months would hurt.

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Jim.......So, you decided to go for the SE upgrade in your 108T. I will be very interested in your impressions once you have the tuner back home.

I'll be looking for your thread. :thumbsup:

The blue lights just do not work with the rest of my system, then the gold face plate, so I figured if I'm going to send it in, then I may as well do the upgrade at the same time. Waiting on them to get in some componentry, but should happen in next couple of months. Full report to come.

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The MD102 arrived today. I put it into my setup.

The MD102 is a bit larger than the MD90, but so far sounds quite good. Will explore it as time goes on. For now, I'm just giving it a couple of days before shipping off the MD90.


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