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peter foster wrote:

The station that I most listen to is 105.9 MHz that broadcasts from one location 50 miles away at 100kW power and that is detected by 2 FM aerials mounted as a parallel array with rotator and ~ 40 feet of coaxial cable to the TU-X1.  The best signal strength that I can get on that frequency is ~ 82 dBf on the signal meter, and it sounds very fine

Did you try to use external attention – it will reduces any FM hiss is you have it. You might buy a cheap $10 TV 75R 20dB attenuator and it will be VERY useful with TU-X1.

peter foster wrote:

However, when I have compared a broadcast with the same recording on one of my CDs, then personally, I prefer the CD playback, on my system.  The difference is minor but noticable to my ear and the best way I can describe that difference is that the FM broadcast appears to have some very subtle or minor equalization happening that reduces some fine detail like being pushed further away from the stage of a live performance.  I am not complaining, because they both sound great to me, just slightly different.

Well, this subject is of course upon a specific station and it is very hard to make any generalization. When they broadcast a live thing then nothing can touch it. The best of the stations that use no compression output the FM stream that is unimaginably good. What they spin not live music they do engine a lot of garbage into the feed, like limiters, sensor filters and so on. I do admit that I also recognize the reduction in fine details, much worsening of HF + compression and some coloration but I am not too convinced that it is so bad. In addition to all audio-nasty things it has, as you correctly pointed out, a feeling that it is further away from the stage. More details are hidden but also mode details are exposed to imagination. If the station people do not over-zeal with those idiotic compressors then FM sound has that caramel-sesame texture that I found so dream lucrative!!! In addition the fact that I can’t stop event does something very positive to my listening attention. It is like watching live a football game (I mean a real football not the American stupid surrogate) – if you miss something then there is not instant replay… That all make me to have more fun from CD via FM then from CD off my playback… Or perhaps my CD playback is just too crappy…

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