Shopping for receiver

[buffarg]

I'd like to find one that can pull in TO stations down here in Buffalo.

Anybody in Buffalo/Tonawanda found an FM receiver that will pull in 102.1 or 99.9 reliably (how about 96.3 or whatever the commercial-classical station is up there); my car stereo is pretty good (though not in the Southtowns) but none of my boomboxes could consistently.

Has anyone in TO found a receiver that will pull in Buffalo stations reliably (say WNED-FM)?

 

[Garrett]

Yup... it is all about the antenna. Generally outdoors and high is good. If you have to go indoors, the one from antenna performance is good (http://www.antennaperformance.com/).

When you want to go beyond there, some vintage tuners can offer very good performance... APS sells some mod'ed ones as well. They get a bit procey though...

 

[xarir]

WNED-FM has a relatively weak signal in Toronto. A better antenna helps, but the signal is still fuzzy. I use a Magnum Dynalab Etude tuner on my system that sounds fabulous and has the ability to pull in a signal pretty well. The website for Magnum Dynalab could really use a major overhaul but the info is accurate. You can often find an MD tuner (usually the FT-101A) on eBay for around $500 US.

The Magnum Dynalab MD205 Signal Sleuth is quite good at zeroing in / amplifying weak signals. The ST2 antenna is also pretty good if space is an issue for you.

And yes, 96.3 is the commercial classical station up here.

 

[BiggieE]

I just have a little Yamaha FM tuner, and I can pick up several Toronto stations...I have a 7 ft antenna on my house w/ a rotator...works well...

 

[WoodPeckr]

Have to agree with the TV antenna w/ rotator. Used to have a 7 ft TV antenna w/ FM hookup, and when aimed north it got every station Toronto offered crystal clear with very good signal strength.

A good directional antenna will make almost any decent receiver shine. You will be amazed at what distant FM stations it will pull in.

 

[buffarg]

I'm in an apartment building and don't think they'll let me put an antenna on the roof, unfortunately

Is 102.1 stronger than WNED? Just curious, since that one and 99.9 are the ones I'd like to hear better, and I picked a weak Buffalo station because I notice that it fades in&out when I drive to TO

 

[Sexy Violet]

I don't remember the name of the station or even the city, but in my old place I use to pick up a motown station out of the US, buffalo or detroit (I know two very different places) But I used to love it! I haven't been able to pick it up again since I moved (still within Toronto)