Hi-fi Components

This unit is part of the Quad II/22 setup with the same power requirements. It is an audiophile-grade AM tuner with two bands, LW and MW, and two switchable bandwidths, 'tune' and 'wideband' (12KHz). This rare early version is reputed to be the best-sounding of all Quad AM tuners

The legendary Dynaco FM-3 was one of the best-sounding valve tuners of the era. They were produced in enormous numbers, largely as kits. After all this time an FM-3 will certainly need alignment, and possibly renovation, including coupling capacitor upgrades and PEC filter correction. We have serviced this model and can correct the de-emphasis to 50μS for UK/European/Australia/New Zealand broadcast conditions.

These are not among the most sought-after of all British tuners, for reasons which escape us. They have superb technical specifications, and audio performance quite similar to the Troughline series.

These are among the most sought-after of all British valve tuners, with exceptionally stable tuning due to three separate design elements; two stages of limiting; and quite remarkable sound. The original factory stereo decoder is now of historical interest only: we can either service and align it, or we can replace it with a modern unit.

McIntosh made fine valve tuners, notably the MR66/67/71 and MAC1700 series, which we have serviced, including the MR66's outboard MA-6 MPX decoder.

These exceedingly rare units (fewer than 1000 /R units built in 1954-5 only) were low-sensitivity high-fidelity AM tuners. The /R had 3 preset stations (BBC Home, Light, and Third Programmes), plus a phono feed-through connection. It was connected directly to a Quad I or II power amplifier at 20mV level.

The correct name for this is 'the AM tuner', although it is often known as the AM1. This unit is part of the Quad II/22 setup with the same power requirements. It is an audiophile-grade AM tuner with several bands and switchable bandwidths. European models had LW, MW, and SW bands; export models had MW, SW1, and SW2 bands. Both models had three selectable bandwidths: 'narrow' for tuning; 'filter' which provides a 10KHz notch filter which needs to be retuned to 9KHz since AM frequencies were reallocated to 9KHz spacing in the 1970s; 'wide' providing a 12KHz wideband unfiltered output, which sadly is more than double what any AM station broadcasts these days.

This is essentially an 'AM tuner' in an FM2-sized case with an independent power supply. Like its predecessor, it is an audiophile-grade AM tuner with LW, MW, and SW bands and switchable bandwidths. This was Quad's last valve tuner and also their last AM tuner. Only 2000 were made and they are now much sought-after, changing hands for four-figure (AUD) prices.

The correct name for this is 'the FM tuner', although it is often known as the FM1. This is part of the Quad II/22 setup, needing to be powered by the 22 control unit or a separate 330VDC supply. When well-aligned, it is a very serious audiophile contender among valve FM tuners. There are four or five circuit variations, depending on serial number, including valve changes. The original factory 'bird-cage' decoder is now of historical interest only, and should generally be replaced with a modern unit. However we can certainly align and renovate this original MPX unit, which will substantially improve the sound.

This is essentially an 'FM tuner' in an AM3 case to match the 33 preamp, with an independent mains supply, and with somewhat better stereo performance than the 'FM tuner' due to minor circuit tweaks, and an internal stereo decoder. Not to be confused with the later solid-state FM3 which superceded the FM2: see below. Although the FM3 is a most competent performer, many audiophiles and collectors prefer the FM2, especially with a modern stereo decoder. We can replace the FM2 decoder with a much better-performing modern unit.

This is the solid-state replacement for the FM2 above, fitting into the same case as the 33 preamp and looking almost identical to the FM2 from the front, except that the indicator lights are in the reverse positions. There are three distinct versions: serial nos. 1-5884, 5885-9999, and 10,000 upwards. To our ears the early FM3 before serial number 5885 sounds better than the later one, although it is more of a servicing headache: the MC1305P decoder chip used early in the production run has seven adjustments to the two required by the MC1310P used subsequently.

The FM4 tuner matches the 34 and 44 preamps and is a superb piece of work, with 7-preset station memory, and a laid-back sound to die for. We can now supply and fit a new CPU made by Quad for this tuner, which not only allows for 14 pre-set stations but also eliminates the battery. We can also supply and fit a factory modification for early models with long-term frequency drift.

The FM66 and subsequent FM77 and FM99 Quad tuners are substantially similar to the FM4, but with a revised RF section and remote control.

These exceedingly rare units were low-sensitivity high-fidelity AM tuners. The HR1 made 'no attempt at sensitivity' and was designed to listen to nearby BBC transmitters only. It was connected directly to a Quad I or II power amplifier at 20mV level.

The Radford FMT1/2/3 FM tuners were built to complement the SC22 (valve) and SC24 (solid state) preamps. The FMT1 is a valve design using 1xECC85 in the RF and mixer stage, 3xEF89 in the IF strip, 1xEF80 as the limiter, an EM84 tuning indicator valve, a ratio detector, and an optional muting circuit. No stereo decoder was supplied but a modern one can easily be fitted. The FMT2 and FMT3 are solid state designs, again with ratio detectors, and with a quite nice stereo decoder fitted as an optional extra. We can fit a modern IC-based stereo decoder to any of these models.