With tuners like this, AM would have a chance

I recently bought a tuner off of an online marketplace — a Denon TU680NAB, arguably one of the best tuners of the modern age. It was developed by Denon in cooperation with the National Association of Broadcasters to showcase the best of what AM and FM radio offered back in 1993, the year it was released to the public, and included improved AM and FM reception and fidelity.

I wrote about it soon after it was released, though I returned the unit I had bought in favor of keeping the competing Carver TX11B. Both the Denon and the Carver featured AM stereo reception utilizing the Motorola C-quam standard, one of four competing stereo broadcasting standards available for AM, and the most widely adopted in the United States.

I probably kept the Carver more from snobbery than anything else, though like the Denon it offered amazing reception on both bands, great sound and great looks. I still own it.

But the Denon was always something special, so when I saw a great deal online, I decided to grab it. The funny thing is that I almost didn’t — the shipping was more than I had hoped, though in total it was still a very fair price. So I bit the bullet, sent the money and, as my Dad used to do when he bought collectibles, I didn’t tell my wife what I did.

I have yet to do a sideby-side comparison of the new model with the Carver, or even the J.C. Penny MCS tuner that also receives AM stereo. Of course, no local AM stations even broadcast in stereo, so that can’t be compared. But listening to AM on the Denon so far is pure joy.

Even without stereo, and even though there is more interference on the band than there was in 1992, the sound is stunning. Noise-blanking circuitry minimizes much of the local interference from sources that “buzz,” like fluorescent lights and electric motors. The frequency response on AM is tremendous, extending past 9 khz, according to tests run in 1993, far past the typical 3 khz most AM tuners since the 1980s allow. And it shows. AM sounds great.

FM reception is similarly impressive. Even with just a standard wire antenna — I have yet to connect it to my house antenna — the stations it receives are clear and easy to tune, even when shortspaced and coming from as far away as San Diego … on a clear day, of course.

This tuner is theoretically obsolete. HD tuners and radios have theoretically replaced traditional analog tuners, especially in cars. In reality, all tuners are obsolete; so much listening is done online using smart speakers, smartphone apps and online, either traditional AM and FM stations that stream their signals, or services such as Spotify and Apple Music that are online exclusives.

But I can’t help but wonder that if the National Association of Broadcasters could persuade radio manufacturers to make tuners with specifications like those found in the Denon — whether or not they also feature HD — perhaps analog broadcasting could have a couple more decades to compete. Especially if AM stations that mostly dropped HD broadcasts turn on analog stereo again. Certainly seems to be worth a shot.

Back on the air

KRDC (1110 AM) was off the air for about two weeks due to transmitter work, apparently related to upgrades that will allow KSPN (710 AM) to share the transmitter site. Increased land values are causing AM station owners to rethink and repurpose their vast landholdings used for transmitter sites; KSPN is expected to begin sharing the 1110 transmitter site in the near future, according to Inside Radio, though an exact date has not been officially announced.

New voices on 88.5

Julie Slater will take over the 11 a.m.-3 p.m. midday slot on Adult Alternative 88.5 (KCSN FM). She replaces Marc Kaczor, who will remain at the station and focus on his duties as program director. Slater started her shift March 14.

New to the Saturday lineup on 88.5 is Lesley James, who will anchor the noon-4 p.m. slot starting this week. James replaces no one, as the station ran jockless during most of her new show hours; Don James will now start his show at 4 p.m. rather than 3.