Ability to LOCK on to weak and distant FM stations

I've read some of the other reviews here and I disagree with many of the stated weaknesses. This is a great tuner. It's ability to lock on to weak and distant signals is UNSURPASSED with any other tuner that I've heard.

I found the sould quality is excellent, and at 90db signal to noise rating it is actually one of the highest and cleanest tuners out there regardless of price! And audioreview has given this piece a CHOICE Award Winner rating.....and you don't see that with many components, do you!!!!

I had the TX-950 tuner on the other day and my girlfriend asked me if she could change the CD....that should tell you everything. If other reviewers are complaining about lack of clear highs or deep bass or lack of music from this tuner, I suggest they revisit other components in there system. Mine is used with an ARC preamp, Classe' amp, Magnepan speakers and quality Harmonic Technology ICs....and I hear nothing but clear, clean music even from distant stations. But this is a subjective format.

In conclusion, I simply don't understand why people pay such high dollars for FM reception/tuners when this piece provides all the quality music anyone could ever want. But this again is just my opinion.

Similar Products Used:

MD FT 101A & Etude

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My apologies to "parlez vous" for he claims to have actually listened to the product. I meant "Paul" instead.

Similar Products Used:

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Great resale value. A remote for those who care about those things.

Way way overpriced.

Sorry guys, for an audiophile tuner the TX950 is only average in sound quality and average in reception. Therefore, it is way over priced. I listened to it with many different interconnects and even used a large roof antenna. While it sounded OK and did nothing poorly, it did nothing special either. Considering you can pick up a mid to late 1980s vintage Onkyo Integra Tuner for under $50 on eBay (which will out perform the TX950), spending another $300 for this thing is really a waste, if sound quality is what you want. If what matters to you is features, this thing is loaded. It may even make toast.

The only thing I like about it is the $200 profit I make re-selling it on eBay.

Similar Products Used:

Every Onkyo Integra Tuner, Yamaha T-1000, TX480, TX400, T80, A few NAD, Cambridge Audio

Gets the air around instruments and life into music nearly as good as tubes, transparent without SS hardness, excellent reception capabilities

Build quality, tuning knob is like a hollow cap to a Coke bottle, reduced parts quality in some areas yet somehow sound is better than TX-1000u (yet TX-1000u is a more substantial unit in terms of build quality but all these post 1980 Yamaha Tuners are toys in build quality compared to the 1976 Yamaha CT-7000 & CT-7000b or the T-2), T-85/T-80 tuners (simplier circuit with possibly better implementation of better parts where it matters), better power supply could help the somewhat lean bass (bass is fast so it makes up for the apparent ultimate extension issue)

This is an exceptional sonic value (period) and a build quality let down. But on balance I would take the sound over worrying about build quality. If you have never heard an excellent tube tuner playing a good signal from a non-commercial FM Statin you don't know how drop dead obvious a tube tuners musical presentation is over any solid state design (no wonder Magnum Dynalab's top $5,800 tuner uses tubes in its design). However, I NEVER EVER would have believed how close A/Bing the TX-950 came to my very best tube tuners that were recently aligned and supplied with the very best NOS Telefunken and Mullard Gold Pins. Would I take the TX-950 over the tubes (far better than almost any solid state tuner I have heard in terms of instrument air and general musicality)? Never in a century for good local stations. But I would for more distant stations and for less critical listening or if I was strapped for cash. Retubing with the best tubes and alignment costs of tube tuners easily surpasses the used cost of the TX-950. But then again, good tubes should last 10 or more years in most peoples systems (meaning 5-10 hrs per week listening). The TX-950 is a super high value winner and I would make it as one of my top 3 choices in the under $350 used market. I would give it an Overall Rating of 3.5-4.0 but because some people go way over board on the negative in Audioreview I felt compelled to give it 5 stars to help balance things out. But I can truely say that it is "Far better than I imagined" especially given the build quality and the Kleenex box weight. SO from that aspect it deserves a 5 star. But do listen to a great tube tuner, aligned, and fitted with the best NOS (new old stock) tubes and you will never turn back!

Similar Products Used:

I am a tuner collector so sorry about the long list: McIntosh Tuners MR-71, MR-67 (these two are my favorites for good local stations without strong stations adjacent to them), McIntosh MR-500, MR-510, MR-78and MR-7083 (like this the best of the SS McIntosh Designs regarding sound), Rotel RHT-10 (most transparent tuner by a substantial margin), Magnum Dynalab Etude, Sansui TU-9900, TU-717, Citation 23, Fisher 200B (really excellent tube tuner if purchased in excellent condition and with Telefunken or Mullard gold pins), Accuphase T-101 & T-100 (these are simply wonderful SS Tuners at the complete opposite end of build quality of the relatively flimsy Yamaha TX-950), Roxsan Capsian (very good 3D sound for a SS tuner and, yes, cool looking), NEC T-6 & T-600E, Adcom GFT-555 & GFT2; Yamaha TX-1000u, T-85, T-2, Hitachi F5000, Onkyo 9090II, Pioneer F-93 (simply the best tuner for pulling in distant stations), Citation IIIx (very nice tube tuner), Scott 350 and 350B (tube margins) and many many more (just got tired of taxing my memory). Tuners connected to APS-13 FM Antenna (17ft antenna) on rotor with a Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth 205 and RG6 cabling. Some associated electronics: Threshold T3i preamp, Classe CA-400 power amp, B&W801 series 3 main speakers, Analysis Plus Bi-wired Oval 9 speaker cables, DH Labs Air Matrix Balanced cabling, Cobra Power Snakes connected to Bel Canto DAC1 and Synergistic Reference AC Master Coupler to T3i, Monster HTS-5000 line conditioner.

None compared to my Yamaha T-85

Price, sound, build quality, flimsy tuning knob, flimsy rear panel RCA connectors, output sound level

I have to agree with Richard Valentine (5 reviews down), I just don't understand all the hype. Maybe it's just consumer ignorance.

Anyway, I bought one of these in 1993 when they first came out. I figured it would be a nice upgrade to my Yamaha T-85 tuner (which had performed flawlessly since 1987 and which I still have in my main audio system). Even though I was initially put off by the light-weight build quality (TX-950 is 7.66 pounds, T-85 is 11 pounds) and flimsy little tuning knob, I decided to wait until I got home and actually heard it before I drew any conclusions. I mean, common sense tells you that newer models should be improvements on older ones, right? Well, sad to say, common sense didn't apply in this case. Before I left the store, I also picked up a four page TX-950 brochure so I could compare specs when I got home. By the way, I still have the brochure. Maybe I should put it up for bid on Ebay.

To put it mildly, my ears were underwhelmed! The TX-950 just didn't have the richness of sound and high frequency detail of the T-85.

The TX-950's specs were only marginally better than the T-85's in only two areas: 50 dB quieting sensitivity (TX-950 was 1.55uV, T-85 was 1.6uV) and usable sensitivity (TX-950 was 0.8uV, T-85 was 0.9uV). For the uninitiated, with these two specs, lower is better.

Stereo separation of the T-85 is 68 dB compared to the TX-950's 60 dB. That's a whopping big difference.

The T-85 has two pairs of gold plated RCA connectors (high output-1 volt/low output-0.5 volt) and a heavy duty gold plated antenna connector. The TX-950 uses the typical el-cheapo chrome/rhodium/whatever jacks on the back. The TX-950 also has only a low 0.5 volt output. Believe me, that extra 0.5 volt that the T-85 gives makes a big difference in the sound quality. But of course, I wouldn't expect the TX-950's flimsy little "toy train" power supply to put out much juice. To compare internal component quality, I took the top cases off both the TX-950 and the T-85, but I wished I hadn't. The degree of disappointment was somewhat analogous to seeing one of your favorite actresses, whom you idolized in your youth, doing one of those late night denture ads.

One thing I couldn't understand: The TX-950's specs says it has a frequency response of 20 to 20 kHz. An FM radio station only has a frequency response of 20 to 15 kHz. I guess the extra 5 kHz of response is there for a marketing gimmick. With that in mind, the 20 to 15 kHz frequency response of my T-85 is more than adequate.

One area in which the TX-950 beat my T-85 hands down was in the number of preset stations. 40 for the TX-950 and a mere 20 for the T-85. Fortunately, there are only two stations that I listen to frequently, so 20 presets has served well since 1987 and probably will continue to do so in the forseable future. If I ever need 40 presets, I'll just stack two T-85's on top of each other. Oh yes, I do have more than one T-85. I bought a few when I realized they were about to be discontinued and replaced by such a marginal performer as the TX-950.

Actually, if I had been prescient enough to know how these things would have been coveted in the future, I would not have rushed to take mine back (on the same day of purchase).
When I told the salesman I was a "little" disappointed in the TX-950, he replied that I wasn't the only one bringing them back and that Yamaha had embarked on an aggressive "cost cutting" (meaning quality cutting) campaign. He said Yamaha was going after the mass market where there were more dollars to be made and where the consumer was not as informed, discriminating or demanding. Smart move Yamaha.

The only really good thing about the TX-950 is the amount of profit you can make selling them on Ebay. Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to find a few of them at the flea market or at a garage sale. But, even then, I wouldn't give more than 10 to 20 bucks for one, and that's for one in mint condition. Happy shopping Ebayers.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha T-80, Yamaha T-85

Nice sound,lots of presets

Build quality,lack of remote,ugly orange LED display

I purchased this tuner on audioreview.com and while I have no complaints about the sound, the build quality certainly cannot compare to the components in the rest of my system (arcam, musical fidelity and sonus faber). The tuner is musical, strong FM stations come through clearly, and I seem to have decent reception on the weaker ones (not fantastic). I have not compared this machine to anything else, but based on the current build quality of the sony ES line, if you can pick up a used ES tuner for less than the current ebay asking price for this tuner, it might be worth investigating.

Great sound, amazing reception, streamlined appearance, lots of pre-sets, two antenna inputs

Does not come with a remote control; no detachable power cord

Never having heard it, I picked up a used TX-950 on Ebay after reading the reviews here. I was not disappointed. I live in a poor-reception area at the bottom of a hill in a valley. Using a $50 Terk Pi indoor powered antenna, I am able to pick up stations I didn't know existed before! I can only imagine what it would do if I had a good roof antenna.

The sound is stunning. It throws a huge soundstage, has great stereo separation, and is extremely low noise. Of course, the old adage, "garbage in, garbage out" applies. If the station is playing a poorly recorded piece of music, don't expect miracles from the tuner. However, if the station is playing a well-recorded piece of music, be prepared to be amazed at how well the TX-950 reproduces it.

Luckily for me, the remote control from my old Yamaha RX-595 receiver works on the tuner, and I am able to change pre-set stations (40 max, or 24 with call letters programmed in) from the comfort of my listening chair.

I don't usually say this, but "believe the hype"! This tuner is the real deal.

Associated equipment:

TX-950 > Alpha Core MicroPurl copper interconnect > Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp > Analysis Plus Oval 9/Oval 12 bi-wire speaker cable > Soliloquy 5.3 speakers.

Similar Products Used:

FM tuner built into Yamaha RX-595 2-channel receiver

I bought a Yamaha TX-950 tuner, to replace an aging and wholly unsatisfying Sony device. I am extremely pleased with the smoothness, detail and clarity of the sound. Some of my friends commented that music from the Yahama tuner sounds like it's coming from a CD. I am especially impressed with its ability to produce suprisingly good sound from very weak signals. The tuner is also loaded with excellent features, such as antenna selection, narrow/wide HF range, fine tuning and so on. This machine sounds like much more expensive tuners. The only comparison that comes to mind is the Audiolab 8000T. Strongly recommanded.

I own the TX-950. too me it is the tuner with the most bang for the buck.It have a lot of feature that is actually useful in making better reception and sound. It also have very easy to operate front panel and clear LCD display.

I wish it have a full featured remote, I mean is that the present remote can not turn on and off the power of the tuner and it can only act as a station memories selector.

Also the cosmetic is to modest. I wish Yamaha could make it with wood trim and also

A balanced XLR output like the one in the Accuphase T-109 would be a feature that will surely elevated this tuner into the so called high end class.

But I presently satisfied with my choice and for that very cheap price I
would be stupid not to buy it. The Accuphase might be a more high end tuner (fancy expensive look and XLR balance output) but it is certainly not six times better than the Yamaha if you make comparison base on the retail price.

What else can one say? Great features, sensitive, remote control station change, good cosmetics. Price is right. Two thumbs up!