In very dense urban markets, the harmonics created can be so numerous as to create an overall increase in noise on all stations. These harmonics then mix with other strong stations to create ghost stations in the amp or mixer. This usually happens when the RF gain transistor and/or mixer is driven to overload and creates harmonics of a local station. The typical problem occurs when two or more strong local stations on different frequencies, as a result of non-linear effects in the tuner, combine to create a distorted signal at another frequency that is stronger than the station that should be there. One important reception characteristic of a tuner that is often overlooked, and rarely listed accurately on a spec sheet, is the tuner's ability to handle strong signals that can create mixing products. For what they're worth, key specs for many top tuners may be compared on the Specs Database page. Also, a tuner that is out of alignment will not function properly Stereophile's reviewers even used to receive brand-new misaligned review samples occasionally. Manufacturers' own specifications for sensitivity and selectivity are sometimes imprecise or exaggerated, and even two examples of the same model tuner may be very different in performance (especially when they're 20 or 30 years old!). Many tuners with good sensitivity can be modified to be more selective, but poor sensitivity cannot easily be improved upon. Listeners in more remote or rural areas, however, will generally be more concerned with sensitivity, which is the tuner's ability to clearly receive weak stations' signals. Adjacent channel selectivity, rarely quoted in manufacturers' specs, refers to rejection of a station only 200 kHz, or 0.2 MHz, away from the one you're tuned to.) Overload rejection and image rejection are other important considerations for listeners who live close to stations' transmitters. 4 MHz, away from the station you're trying to hear. (Alternate channel selectivity is the measurement of a tuner's ability to reject an interfering signal 400 kHz, or. For example, a listener in a metropolitan area where strong local stations crowd the FM band will need a tuner with excellent selectivity if he or she wishes to receive any of the more distant stations between the locals. Your own experience with a particular tuner will depend, to some extent, on reception conditions in your local area. We will review tuners of more recent vintage, but do not seek them out as fervently as we do the older stuff. Our primary emphasis is on tuners that were manufactured between the early 1970s and the early '90s, before home theater receivers largely replaced separate stereo components. We focus on tuners, rather than receivers, because (a) very few receivers come close to matching the performance of that manufacturer's top tuners, and (b) we stick to what we know best. We're also requesting input from readers on about 175 tuners listed in the On-Deck Circle, some of which will be added to the review pages once first-hand information is obtained and as our Editor's time permits. TIC's panel of experts (including audiophiles, FM DXers, engineers and tuner collectors) and an elite team of trusted contributors have personally used and reviewed hundreds of different FM tuners. : Uploaded Harman/Kardon Citation 18 Technical Manual (thanks JohnC). eBay listings that quote us incorrectly or without credit may be terminated without notice. Permission is hereby granted to quote our text so long as proper credit is given. Copyright ©2001-2023 Tuner Information Center.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |