REPRISE: Competitor to the MR88 (with HD)?

[rnrmf1971]

Originally Posted by Clark2

Thanks very much for the quick reply! I'll check into the Rotel. Do you recall the model?

Interesting you mention the Sangean. I suppose you mean the HDT-20? I've seen little to suggest that it rises to audiophile standards on either analog FM or HD, nor does it appear to give the user control over which is fed to the audio outputs. Have you used it? How is the sound quality? -- Clark2

I've never heard the Sangean but I believe it has a digital output which is bonus. The Rotel model is the RT-1084 and is probably the most serious audiophile tuner with HD capability outside of the MR88. Checking out the RT-1084 is on my list, one of these days. They made it in both black and silver.

[Maks]

FWIW I listen to my MR88 with the HD auto-blend mode on and I'm happy w/the sound. DXing ability is excellent as well. For me it'd come down to how long you're willing to wait, MR88s sometimes pop up in the market here and AC seems to get them in from time to time. There is also a tuned up MR74 in the market, I have a MR74 and with the selectivity and filters makes a heck of a DXer and is said to be the best analog Mc tuner.

[Weirdcuba]

I tried an hd tuner prior to my current one (MD108T SE) and don’t care for the sq at all. I had the little Sony digital tuner that is no longer available new, but can be had for a few hundred bucks used. It was fine, but the signal was just not what I wanted.

Like you, I have a couple very good local options and the analog signal is awesome. Call Jim Richards back and get a used MD and I think you’ll be more than pleased.

[Clark2]

Thanks, all, for the helpful (if somewhat disappointing) input. I'll have to digest it all... -- Clark2

[W9TR]

Clark,
If I read your original post correctly you asked two separate questions.

The first was about eliminating HD self noise. There are large number of tuners that have post detection filtering. For example the MR 78 and MR 80 tuners have excellent post detection filters. The MR 80 is arguably the best performing tuner McIntosh ever made.

The second question was about tuners that also decode HD. Fewer choices. Mostly car radios now.

The third question was, is HD an audiophile medium?

The answer? Absolutely not! It is digitized at low bitrates and sounds terrible, similar to XM radio, sometimes worse. It is a sham.

The best option is to buy a great analog tuner with excellent post detection filtering and enjoy!

[Weirdcuba]

Originally Posted by W9TR

The best option is to buy a great analog tuner with excellent post detection filtering and enjoy!

Ditto. Find a used magnum dynalab, accuphase or McIntosh or equivalent and enjoy. If you have great stations, it’s quite cheap and quite enjoyable and you’ll never think about hd again.

[Maks]

I've never listened to the pure HD signal, but the comment that it's similar to XM has me wondering. I might have to try my MR88 in true analog mode vs blend.

[rnrmf1971]

In the Orlando area, the only HD stations that even approach the awfulness of satellite radio can be the HD2 and HD3 stations of some broadcasters. The main stations are mostly crystal clear and great quality. My NPR and it’s HD2 classical and the affiliates jazz station that broadcasts in HD sound fantastic.

[Maks]

That's been my experience as well, the sub-channels are obviously low bitrate but I notice a slight improvement in quality once HD locks in on a main channel.

[W9TR]

You’re lucky.
HD radio has lots of options that can be configured by the station manager. The FM hybrid digital/analog mode offers up to 150 kbit/s of lossy data. The pure digital modes use up to 300 kbit/s bitrate. So basically equivalent to 320 kbp/s mp3.