You have purchased a home theatre system, but there is a problem. Though the music sounds great coming from your media players, the FM radio is not pleasing. Somehow, there is too much hum, or the sound isn’t rich enough.
Well, many people don’t know this, but home theatres were not meant to be radio receivers. If you want to listen to crisp and clear FM radio, you may want to get the best vintage FM tuners.
These devices do a fantastic job cleaning the signal so that the sound is pleasant to listen to.
In this post, I will introduce to you some top-quality vintage stereo tuners to match your style. These are sure to give you unmatched audio performance.
Benefits of Using Vintage FM tuners
If you want good fidelity and signal pickup, you are better off with a separate tuner. While a home theatre is built to process and amplify audio and sound effects, a dedicated tuner is designed to receive radio signals.
With that, you can already see why fm tuners are worth getting. The benefits of a vintage fm tuner include:
- Impressive vintage looks – it reminds you of the good old days
- Compact nature – most of them are built for small spaces
- Excellent performance – if you want to listen to clear radio sounds, these are the real deal
- Easy to use – they come with large humanized buttons and knobs for control
Our 7 Best Vintage FM Tuners Reviews
Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Vintage Stereo Receiver
What if you could have a good sound and decent features for under 200 bucks? And no, I’m not talking about a used item but rather something new from a renowned brand that comes with a warranty. That’s what the Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver offers.
If you’re an audiophile who needs a receiver that allows you to enjoy two-channel music seamlessly, this baby is for you. It is built to provide great performance without any eccentric features that you’re probably not going to use.
Rated at 200 watts, the unit can drive two pairs of loudspeakers. For instance, you could power a pair of loudspeakers in your living room and another pair in a separate room.
With an a/b switch, the device lets you use all the speakers at once or play from only one pair. Sounds cool, doesn’t it?
Versatility makes this one of the best vintage fm tuners. Whether you want to source your music from vintage sound machines or newer devices like smartphones, this tuner has you covered.
For example, there are 4 RCA inputs. You can use these to bring in audio signals from your DVD player or another media device.
Aside from that, there is a phono input. This lets you connect your phonograph or turntable.
The newer technology on this device is Bluetooth connectivity. It allows you to play sounds wirelessly from your phone or any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Highlighted features:
- 2-channel stereo receiver
- Has 30 FM station presets (no AM)
- The design is low-profile – only about 5 ¼ inches tall
- Has a headphone jack – ¼ inch
- 4 stereo RCA inputs
- Comes with a remote control
- Features Bluetooth connectivity
Moukey Home Audio Amplifier Digital FM Tuner
Are you looking for an inexpensive but quality digital FM tuner with excellent sound? Introducing the Moukey Home Audio Amplifier Stereo Receiver. This is a budget-friendly option that offers you an incredible array of features and functionality.
Albeit cheap, the unit is high-grade. It is a solid build with a classy aluminium finish. Moreover, the design is compact. Thus, it needs only a small amount of space. This makes it excellent for an RV or any small living space.
As a 2-channel stereo, this unit allows you to attach 2 sets of speakers at once. Hence, with enough amp power, you can enjoy a beautiful audio impact.
One of the benefits of this baby is the sheer number of devices you can connect to it. At the back of the device, you will find two sets of audio inputs. This is where you can attach your DVD, CD, or another audio player.
If you like recording your voice, you’ll find the two 2.5inch karaoke microphone inputs really useful. There is also a headphone output and ports for USB and SD connection.
As mentioned, this is also an FM player. Right above the inputs, you will find the FM antenna slot.
The device comes with a free antenna, but as many people can agree, this antenna isn’t much help. If you can get a good antenna separately, the FM performance will be top-notch.
Highlighted features:
- Easy control with clear, responsive buttons and knobs
- Bluetooth connectivity with a 40-feet range
- Compact, sleek design, great for small spaces
- The Control panel includes an LED screen for easy monitoring.
- Multiple connectivity ports – 2 RCA, 2 mic ports, SD, USB, AUX, headphone
- Can be connected to 2 sets of speakers
- Choose between 115/220 volts of power.
Pyle Wireless Bluetooth 4-Ch FM Vintage Home Stereo
Do you like a stereo receiver with a big screen at the front to give you a more modern appeal? You may want to check out what Pyle is offering.
The Pyle 4-Ch Home Theater-Stereo Receiver features a solid build and sleek features that make it look great in any space. Since it is a compact device, you needn’t worry about where to put it.
Albeit little, this baby provides enough power for up to 4 sets of speakers. Rated at 300 watts, this hd fm tuner is robust enough to power multiple speakers with an impedance of 4 to 8 ohms. This way, you can easily enjoy the high-grade amplified audio performance.
Seeking versatile sound tuners capable of working with different types of media players? This receiver will suffice. There are 6 inputs on it – two at the back for DVD, CD, and more, and four at the front.
The four inputs at the front include ports for SD, USB, and microphone jacks. That, of course, gives you more freedom with regard to where to source your audio.
Looking at the panel on the front, it is easy to see just how much control you have. There are multiple buttons for tuning, auto-scanning, playing/pausing, switching between AM and FM, selecting the input, and so on.
Highlighted features:
- 300-watt output for richer and clearer audio
- Compact design that saves space
- Multiple inputs for USB, SD, AUX, RCA, and more
- Comes with both AM and FM capability
- The 4-channel stereo that easily accepts 4 sets of speakers
- Equalization controls including treble, bass, echo, and more
- Has a fan heat exhaust system to prevent overheating
Sunbuck Dual Channel Sound Power Audio Receiver
When it comes to balancing between affordability and quality, almost no brand out there offers something better than Sunbuck. For the quoted price, I figured their Dual Channel Sound Power Audio Receiver would be cheaply built with a terrible hum. How surprised I was!
This baby features a good building with a metal housing that is more than enough for a home stereo.
Rated at 180 watts of power, and being a 2-channel receiver, the device accepts two sets of speakers. The beautiful part is that it produces a rich and crisp sound.
Another amazing thing about this unit is the level of versatility it offers. Although it is small and really cheap, it gives you five input options. You can connect an SD or USB at the front. And at the back, you can connect things like a DVD or CD player.
Control comes easy with this unit. At the front, you find knobs to control equalization features like the bass and treble. There’s also a large volume knob and buttons for controlling the media you’re playing.
The only negative, perhaps, is that the bass is a little lacking. Other than that, this is a good-quality stereo receiver with a nice clear audio output. The volume maxes at 30, and the sound packs serious clarity.
Highlighted features:
- 180 watts peak power – multiple speakers and high-grade audio
- Compatible with Bluetooth devices for wireless audio
- Has nice responsive knobs for equalization control
- 5 inputs for media playing devices
- Can connect to two sets of speakers
Pyle 200W Home Audio Power Amplifier Reviews
Here is another amazing stereo tuner receiver from Pyle. Though little, this device packs a punch. What’s more, it has sleek features that make it a fantastic choice for you if you need something elegant.
There is a large screen at the front that displays all the functions and inputs used. Also, some buttons are installed with LED lights. These two features make it a colourful scene when you’re playing the music, especially at night.
Do you love karaoke? If so, the Pyle 200W Home Stereo Receiver is exactly what you need. This unit comes with two mic ports so you can connect a microphone and sing along to your favourite tracks.
What makes this even more exciting is that there are great features to tweak the audio output to your desire. These include the echo effect and the mic bass, and the mic treble.
The device is rated at 200 watts. Hence, it produces a clean sound with no hum or noise. You can connect 2 sets of speakers with an impedance of 4 to 16 ohms. That denotes that with good speakers, you can enjoy high-quality audio performance.
There are 6 inputs on the unit. With these, you can hook 3 RCA sources, a DVD or CD player, an iPod, a microphone, and other items you may want to connect.
Highlighted features:
- 200 watts of power for quality audio output
- 2-channel stereo compatible with up to 2 sets of 4-16 ohm speakers
- Aesthetic looks with a large LED screen and LED buttons
- Great for karaoke with volume, m-bass, and m-treble mic controls
- Comes with equalization buttons for the audio
- Accepts varying audio inputs – 6 input slots
KEiiD Stereo System with Wooden Speaker
If there is one unit that couldn’t miss being on this list of the best vintage tuners, it is the KEiiD CD Player/Stereo System. Everything from the built quality to the performance of this baby is simply incredible.
If you value uniqueness, this device is for you. It is two items in one – a stereo receiver with a CD player and a pair of speakers. It is the wooden casing that gives it a unique touch with truly vintage looks. There are two finish options to choose from – brown and black.
This device is actually a car CD radio head unit repurposed. Because of that, the device is not only unique but also powerful and durable.
On the front, there sits a nice 5-inch LED screen. It displays all the track and input information, making control a piece of cake.
Since the speakers are already incorporated, you don’t need extra speakers. There is a 4-inch bass speaker on either side of the receiver, and both speakers feature an adjustable 10dB bass, treble, and midrange.
This is great news if you’re trying to have a simple media system. You can use the device as your TV sound bar. To connect to your TV, you can use an RCA cable or the 3.5mm input.
Highlighted features:
- Beautiful vintage looks with a wooden case
- No need for speakers – there is one on each side
- Multi-media stereo with inputs for RCA, CD, USB, AUX, line
- Has a huge LED screen displaying the inputs and tracks
- Two finish options – brown and black
Moukey Stereo Amplifier for Home Audio Speaker
Are you looking for an amp or FM stereo with Bluetooth to connect to speakers? The Moukey Stereo Amplifier for Home Audio Speakers fits the bill.
With most low-priced stereos, Bluetooth doesn’t work very well, and it keeps getting interruptions. What makes this unit special is that its Bluetooth works superbly. You can connect to different devices wirelessly without any hitches.
What about the sound quality, you ask? This is a 100-watt receiver that easily accommodates one speaker set. The sound is not excellent, but it is good enough for a home setting. There is no humming or anything like that. Most importantly, for the price, it is totally acceptable.
For karaoke lovers, this is yet another stereo worth investing in. That is because his mic slots and features to give you control over the audio you record. In that regard, there are m.volume and m.echo knobs as well as knobs to tweak the treble and bass.
If you need a truly multi-media device, this unit is worth checking out. You can connect an RCA, USB, SD, MP3, and other players. And remember, you can play audio wirelessly via Bluetooth.
Highlighted features:
- 100 watts power – adequate for a home setting
- Comes with Bluetooth connectivity with a good range
- Karaoke features include the mic, m.echo, and m.volume
- Comes with equalization controls, including bass and treble
- Multimedia stereo – connect SD, USB, RCA, CD player, and more.
Comparison Table Of Vintage FM Tuners
| Name | Power (watts) | Number of speakers you can connect | Bluetooth | Mic for sound recording | Remote control |
| Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver | 200 | 4 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Moukey Home Audio Amplifier Stereo Receiver | 220 | 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pyle Wireless Bluetooth 4-Ch Home Theater Stereo Receiver | 300 | 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sunbuck Dual Channel Sound Power Audio Receiver | 180 | 4 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Pyle 200W Home Stereo Receiver | 200 | 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| KEiiD CD Player/Stereo System | 180 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Moukey Stereo Amplifier for Home Audio Speakers | 100 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Things to Consider Before Buying Vintage FM Tuners
If you’re an audiophile, you can agree that owning vintage stereo tuners feels amazing. These devices take you back to the old days and keep you entertained with good audio quality.
However, before you go out there and purchase a vintage stereo FM radio, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
The build quality
How a tuner is made will determine its longevity. Therefore, when looking for the right unit, check what it’s made of, especially the exterior body. Aim for a nice metal case. With that, you’re sure the delicate components inside will be kept safe.
There are tuners with wooden cases out there. These might not last as long as metal, but they possess a gorgeous vintage appearance.
Size
One of the aspects that folks love about vintage stereos is their compactness. That means space is not a problem.
However, not all tuners are made equal. Some are bigger than others, and ultimately, your needs should help you decide what size to get. You can also check the weight before buying.
Wattage
A lot of people get confused as to what the wattage implies. Wattage is simply a measure of the level of power the receiver/tuner is able to drive to your speakers to produce sound.
The higher the number of watts, the stronger and clearer the sound.
Higher-wattage tuners cost more, but they produce a more impressive sound.
Input ports available
This is a huge consideration to make when looking for the best vintage FM tuners. You got to ask yourself this – what kind of devices do I need to connect to the tuner? If you want to connect things like your DVD/CD, computer, TV, MP3 player, and other devices as media sources, then you need to ensure there are ports for them.
Usually, audiophiles look for a tuner with ports for RCA, USB, SD, and AUX.
If you’re a karaoke lover, check if the device has mic ports. That’s where you’ll hook your microphone.
And if you have a phonograph or a turntable, make certain the unit comes with a phono port.
Outputs available
Just like the inputs, the outputs are important. Audio outputs allow you to connect speakers, headphones, home theatres, and so on.
Be sure to check if your prospective tuner has the kind of output you need.
Number of channels
One way to know the number of speakers that you can connect to the stereo is the check the stereo’s channel number. A 2-channel stereo is one that allows you to connect 2 sets of speakers, while a 4-channel stereo lets you connect 4 sets of speakers.
Of course, the more the number of speakers that can be connected, the higher the price.
How to use vintage FM tuners
Vintage FM radio tuners provide great functionality. They bring in a clear FM radio signal for a clean sound, and they allow you to play crisp music from other media devices.
You can use a vintage FM tuner to listen to FM or AM radio or to listen to audio from your DVD, MP3, PlayStation, or other media players.
To get started, you will need a tuner, speakers, cables, an antenna, and a media device like a TV or DVD player. Here are the steps to follow:
- First, connect the antenna cable if it is not already connected. The antenna plug is normally located at the back of the device.
- Secondly, connect the speakers to the tuner. The speaker ports are typically at the back of the unit.
- Connect the receiver to the power. You only need to plug the power cable into the socket and switch the power button.
- Next, check if there is an input button at the front. If there’s one, click it to set the input to FM radio.
- Use the dial to get your favourite station. If your receiver is more advanced, there’s a station search button in the control panel or the remote. Use it to auto-search channels and save them on your device.
- Then, use the appropriate cable to connect a media device to your tuner. Depending on the sort of ports available, you can connect the unit to a TV, CD/DVD player, or other media sources. Once again, remember to use the input button to change your source from FM to line-in or AUX. If you’re in luck, your tuner has Bluetooth connectivity, which makes things even easier.
Frequently asked questions
Why get a vintage FM tuner?
Vintage FM tuners/receivers have excellent capability to receive clear audio signals. Apart from the crisp sound, there are also the elegant old looks that these babies have. If you want something that reminds you of the good days of the past, try getting a vintage FM tuner.
What does an FM tuner do?
While a receiver receives the radio signals, a tuner separates these signals from noise, ensuring the sound is crisp and clear.
Apart from the vintage Marantz tuner, what great tuner can I get?
Marantz has a history of performance and good quality. However, there are other excellent options in the market, such as Sony, Pyle, Moukey, and Sunblock. These brands offer you solid-built vintage receivers with great features and exceptional performance.
Do vintage stereo tuners have Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is an important technology that allows you to play media wirelessly. Thankfully, a few brands, such as Sony and Pyle, are offering vintage tuners with Bluetooth connectivity.
Final Word
If you’re looking for better sound quality, the best vintage FM tuners will serve you well. As you’ve realized, these devices come with great perks – they are compact, beautiful, and compatible with modern media devices.
When looking for the right option, be sure to check the features. For instance, you might want a unit that comes with a mic slot or Bluetooth connectivity. Or perhaps you want to be able to connect an SD card or a USB disk. Before making your purchase, ensure the device has the features you need.
Rest assured, with any of the units in the review above, and you will enjoy great performance, ease of use, and durability.
