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Chose this over the Sony based on other reviews suggesting the Sony ran hot. The station presets for the digital broadcasts don't stick. The tuner eventually loses the KCBX-2 preset and selecting either 1 or 2 will just tune to KCBX-1.For some reason, there's a slight delay (it says it's "linking") when it tries to tune KCBX-2 but not KCBX-1, even though both are broadcast in digital (one signal stronger). Like other reviewers, I bought this specifically for the HD broadcast of our local Public Station, which has more and better programming than their analog-only broadcast. This "linking" delay might be the root of the preset loss but I haven't played with it enough to determine. And for that, it works fine. Not a lot to say about it since it generally does what it's supposed to do.Reception is as good or better than my receiver so I made it the default tuner for all stations I listen to. In other words, if preset 1 is for KCBX-1 (digital version of their analog broadcast) and preset 2 is for KCBX-2 (digital only broadcast, with separate programming).
The sound quality doesn't strike me as being any better or worse than analog.I'd give it 5 stars but for two issues:1. Price is a bit high2. This only happens after having been tuned to some other analog-only station. This is a modest annoyance but, for the cost of the tuner, I'd expect better.And for energy efficiency geeks obsessed by vampire loads, the Sangean uses about 2 watts when in standby.
It's a favorite public radio station and broadcasts a very small 1.9KW. I admire tuners that are just that - tuners - and nothing else. But you will get a good tuner, somewhat better than Pioneer's super tuner even. Here's an example: Compare with KQED that broadcasts 110KW and easily transmits HD to me, the station KALW SF. [.].Just note that RDS is used with analog broadcasts.All in all the radio is very nice and efficient so I can't complain. I live a long way from transmitters (65 miles) but have very low multi-path interference so in general our reception is great.
This warrants more discussion where I have posted this topic because I have seen HD all the way down to 14 on the signal meter. You won't even get a volume button with this unit. I get KALW at 17 out of 18 on the signal meter but not HD. That said HD radio somewhat like HD TV takes a little more boost in terms of dBu signal strength. So even when you're getting a full analog stereo signal that may not translate to digital HD. So clearly the signal meter is analog and not accurate for digital.
When connected directly with a digital optical cord to a set of speakers there's plenty of volume to spare.
After only 2 weeks the tuner stopped working. I've sent it back to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. When it was working I loved it.
The unit sucks a bit of energy all the time keeping its clock on and illuminated. However, this unit captured more distant FM signals, both analog & digital, than my older analog receiver.
The product specs were on target. An excellent receiver that delivers both analog AM/FM and HD AM/FM radio signals.
Sadly, few AM stations are broadcasting HD in my area. I have yet to try the optical output option, but the RCA type output sent through both low and high quality receivers/speakers have been excellent.
HD radio is cleaner and crisper sounding than analog, but the FM difference is not as striking as the AM. (I am using an attic mounted FM antenna).My only real complaint is the lack of a complete shutoff on/off switch.
First I would like to say that this is a great radio tuner. This radio tuner, however, does do a better job than my A/V Receiver tuner, even in analog mode. Unfortunately, in my location, it didn't pull in HD stations as well as I had hoped. My favorite station is about 60 miles away across low coastal land (East Central Florida) and I was hoping to be able to pull in it's HD signal. I found the supplied dipole antenna to be best, better than even the C.Crane Reflect, which, in my experience, is not much use at all, and certainly not worth the price. My local Public Radio HD station has digital drop outs which I can't seen to figure out, except that it always seems to happen when an airplane goes over.My recommendation is that you buy this radio for your component system to add HD, especially if you live within about 50 miles of your favorite stations.
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