Presentation , build quality , price vs performance, quiet , beautiful appearance

limited availability, the people that have them don't want to give them up

Wow! now I understand what all the fuss is about I bought this as a collectible and never imagined that it would sound so good I hooked it up and was blown away by the presentation that the tuner gave, detail, soundstage ,depth, truely amazing if more people had these National Public Radio would not have to try so hard to raise funds. I am only sorry that I waited so long, all you need to do is turn that perfectly balanced tuning wheel and you are hooked that's the way it is supposed to feel Thanks Mcintosh Thanks Nick

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Mcintosh mr74 , nakamichi st-7 , Fanfare Ft1AL

stunning sound

to some maybe the price not to throw a free plug to audio classics but my tuner looks and sounds brand new

to some spending 1500 on a seems crazy but to sum up my mr78 it sounds better than alot of mid level cd players ive heard

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mac mr 500

Sound Quality. Selectivity. Looks.

Analog, no presets

I compared the McIntosh MR78 side by side with 2 tuners for 2 different qualities: Sonic performance, DX Performance.
Tuners compared to: NAD 4300/Yamaha T-85
**Don't discount the 4300. It's the ultimate sonic sleeper.
*The NAD is known for quality SOUND
*The T-85 Known for DX ability.
Results: MR78 Sound quality is on par with the NAD Monitor Series 1700 that I use(Incorporates 4300 Tuner)so close, its hard to form an opinion of the "better one". Seems the NAD may just edge out the MR78 ever so slight and I'm taking slight, being the detailist of all time. It edges it in the area of isolating individual instruments in the soundstage with perfect clarity, but just by the tiniest bit. Damn near a draw with the MR78.
DX performance (compared to stock Yamaha T-85): Interesting results. The T-85 was able to dig out a station at 107.9 better than the Mac, in that it had less noise in the background, BUT... that was it! At all other parts of the band the MR78 won hands down. Almost as if the Mac wasn't doing so great at that one extreme end of the band.(alignment?) On a station at 101.1 the mac was able to get clearly and in great seperated stereo a weak station that the T-85 had just ok...but wouldn't come in--in stereo no matter what fine tuning or bandwith. And this scenario replayed itself on several stations and beam headings. I was very impressed with the MR78 for its digging to the surface ability with such clarity. So here I was, hearing a beautiful sounding stereo seperated classical station on 88.3 with full quieting on marginal signal and the T85 was in mono and not sounding so hot.The mac being able to defeat all auto options really helps with DX. All 3 bandwiths are really very different than each other also giving you the feeling that you are really controlling vast circuitry versus just pushing a button, which in the 85, wide/superwide for instance is exactly that. So here I get the sound of the 4300 and the surpassed DX ability of the T-85. If you can live without a remote or digital readout, the MR78 is the best of both worlds. Top DX machine, Top sonic quality and Gorgeous looks. For a look at it and specs, see:
http://www.audioclassics.com/detail.php3?detail=MR78
Mine is in a walnut case and the photo at this link doesnt really do it justice. You can also get them cheaper than the price at this site.

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Yamaha T-85 Nad 1700 (4300 Tuner)

Excellent fidelity, clear reception ( even at great distances)

NONE!

I purchased this tuner from a friend in Tucson for $750.00 U.S. It was fairly dusty and the bezel was hanging off. I would have rated the condition as 5.5 out of ten. I sent the unit to Audio Classics for the Modaferri Modification. It came back a perfect 10, except for the -55db light which appeared to have either been burned out, broken, or just overlooked.
The selectivity of this tuner is superb. I was able to recieve a classical FM station 150 miles away using an indoor antenna (Magnum Dynalab ST-2). I used the -22db selectivity mode while also using the filter in mode 2. Both fidelity and clarity were unsurpassed.

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Marantz 10 B

great sound, great reception

My sample drifts a bit over time...

I echo the praise from the other reviewers. This unit is very flexible in pulling weak stations, and has an overall dynamic and timbral 'oomph' to its sound quality that you just don't expect from a tuner. I wouldn't say it sounds like my turntable or cd rig, being perhaps a shade on the warm side, and having to contend with whatever is coming over the airwaves. But it is great fun, especially with acoustic jazz/classical and choral music. And boy, does it make compression effects all too obvious! A wonderful unit...perhaps I'll someday get it together to ship it to Audio Classics in New York, where I understand the original designer performs upgrades....

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denon TU-850

Great selectivity and sensitivity, build quality, tonal characteristics

A little finicky when tuning.

A truly remarkable product. The only tuner better than the old Heathkits. The dynamic range is at the limit of better fm broadcasting. I can notice the drop off in bass on most stations, a function of the broadcast.

I purchased this product without the a case, but found a rosewood aftermarket product that is gorgeous. This unit is truly beautiful.

I can tune apx 20 fm stations in my limited fm area, which is truly remarkable.

If you live on the east coast, this unit is a must for a great system.

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Heath AR-15, Lafayette,Technics ST-8500

I just bought a McIntosh MR78 tuner and I am very impressed with it.Build quality is just superb. Certainly, they don't make them like they used to.

Performance is extraordinary. Its patented IF filter section is superb. This is arguably the world's finest tuner. Nothing can touch it. It can receive virtually ANY station on the dial. Fidelity is impressive for a FM tuner.
Kudos to its designer Richard Modafferi. What an impressive piece of audio gear.
Go and get one NOW!!!

I acquired this tuner on an eBay auction, based on Nestor's suggestion and after having researched it on my own over the "net". Sale price was $860.This unit has a low serial number and was probably made in 1972 or 1973. It was in excellent shape, and only needed a new light bulb.
This tuner has an extremely balanced, warm and detailed sound. But what really sets it apart is the variable selectivity, which (when needed) lets the tuner lock onto a signal and exclude all noise. The result sounds like a turntable or CD player in terms of quality, and it is easy to forget you are listening to a broadcast (until the commercials come on). Even when signal strength varies, the tuner presents a consistently high quality result with no fluctuation. It has features which allow you to adapt it to your needs - such as antenna matching circuitry, variable muting and selectivity, a signal strength meter which tells you when your antenna is properly adjusted, a tuning meter which helps find the best signal. You can even adjust the dial pointer to precisely match with actual station call numbers by way of a screw accessible from the side panel! The display brightness can also be dimmed with a switch.
McIntosh Labs still offers parts and service at reasonable cost, should you ever need any. As a bonus, it is very well built and looks like a million bucks. I am a happy camper.

reception, clarity, sound quality

price

I am giving the MR-78 five stars for overall rating, and a 4.5 for value, since other analog tuners from the 70s probably are comparable in terms of receptivity and sound quality for quite a bit less on the used market. I paid 400 for a nice unit, cosmetically and functionally. That's less than the MR-78 sells for on ebay or audiogon.

I would generally agree with the other reviewers. This is the best tuner I've ever heard. It is hard to tell the difference between the tuner and a cd. I am using a BIC beam box as the only antenna (it's an indoor, nonamplified boxy thing). The signal comes in at a 9 or 10 out of 10 for local channels. Very clear. There is minimal, if any, hiss or other problems resulting from "multipathing." I am able to adjust the box using the tuner's guages to maximize signal strength and elimate distortion.

You can actually talk in typical audiophile terms such as "soundstage," "imaging," and "warmth." The tuner is as satisfying to listen to as cds or other sources.

It is probably built very solidly, weighs quite a bit. I don't foresee having too many problems with its dependability.

If you've got the money and care about having an audiophile quality tuner, go for it. But for about one-sixth to one-eighth of the going price for the MR-78 you can get a very good old Pioneer, Kenwood, Onkyo (I really like my second system's Onkyo T-4055, which does great in a basement!), Marantz, etc.

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