Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner by Sony
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Our Price: $499.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner
Digital camera Review: Best HD Tuner for its Price Range
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are finding that the sound quality of FM is not up to par with some of the more expensive FM tuners of the past, it is because of the compressed nature of HD radio signals, not because of the performance of this tuner. To get the most out of this unit, it needs to connected to an outdoor FM antenna or most stations more than 20 miles away will revert to the analog signal and you will not receive the substations. The only issue holding this back from 5 stars is that the quality of AM reception is average at best and it is extremely difficult to get an AM HD signal to lock.Digital camera Review: Best HD radio offering I've experienced to date
Summary: 4 Stars
AM section is at or above the quality available on other 'tuners' be they HD or conventional analog.
This unit just does what it is supposed to - receive radio signals on AM & FM. Sensitivity and selectivity are good. Definitely not a 'gutless wonder' like others in the HD arena. Too bad there is not an automobile equivalent in the aftermarket HD receivers.
Price versus performance this is a worthwhile purchase.
Digital camera Review: Best audio buy I ever made.
Summary: 5 Stars
I listen to a lot of FM, mostly music and have always been somewhat disappointed with my otherwise excellent Onkyo home theater receiver. After reading a few glowing reviews of the XDRF1HD, I thought I'd try HD FM. I can't believe the extraordinary improvement. The listening experience is terrific. I live in the New York City area where there are many stations that have adopted the HD format. My favorite is WBGO, the NPR Jazz station out of Newark. It's not particularly powerful and was always a reception challenge, even with a Terk Pi antenna. Now the reception is perfect. It's clean and noise free and it doesn't matter where I am in the room.
Highly recommended!!!!!!
Digital camera Review: Best bargain for HD tuner
Summary: 5 Stars
I've worked with 4 other HD tuners and, despite some moderate gripes about this Sony, this is the best HD tuner I have found at ANY price.
I agree with many of the others who point out some short comings in the user interface and button usage.
BUT these are minor compared where it counts: bringing in stations clearly and cleanly, and sound quality. In these crucial areas the Sony is absolutely the best I've tried. Setup was easy, the manual was easy to follow, and after learning its quirks, I have no problem or irritation; and I switch between stations a lot.
Competitor models, all much more expensive, cuts out on the same signal, can't receive stations, and/or don't sound clean when they are tuned in.
The Sony does a simple, clever things when tuning into and HD signal [which take several seconds or more]. It tunes and plays the standard FM analog signal until it gets locked strongly onto the HD, then switches with NO noticeable pop or other audible artifact. Great! This is as easy as switching station in my car.
I liked it so much I bought a second one and now use it instead of my $1400 receiver's built in HD tuner. It is just better; and cheaper than other separate tuners too.
If Sony wants to improve this, read the other reviews; but keep the electronics the same.
Digital camera Review: Best buy...and then some!
Summary: 5 Stars
This tuner with a very small footprint puts out sound of an amazing quality. Whether you listen to rock or jazz or powerful symphony orchestras, this tuner from Sony delivers! Sometimes a product comes along with great quality at a small price -- this is one of those times.
Stereophile magazine raved about it. They were right.