FS: Denon AM/FM Tuner

[zydeco]

Item: Denon TU1500AE AM/FM

Location: Perth

Item Condition: Excellent (10/10)

Reason for Selling: No longer being used

Price: $200 [excluding shipping]

Payment Method: Cash, Bank Check, Electronic Funds Transfer

Extra Info: As new condition with remote.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Sweet sounding tuner. WAY under-rated. Better than almost anything except some very high models.

[djb]

the BIBLE/tuner information center also rates it highly

suspect RD is the north american designation code

Denon TU-1500RD (photo) search eBay

The TU-1500RD is a very common current model tuner with RDS capability and an optional remote control. Our contributor Girard, a well-known DXer, reports: "The TU-1500RD is my DX tuner of choice these days. RF performance is wonderful, and changing the four IF filters for better selectivity is very easy. In wide mode it uses two of the filters, and in narrow mode it uses all four [two of which have a fairly narrow 180 kHz bandwidth - Editor]. It's not bad with the stock filters, but I modified mine by replacing all the filters with 150 kHz Muratas. In this configuration it's very close to being as selective as the Onkyo T9090II. What I like about the TU1500RD is the sensitive and apparently low-noise front end. I've measured mine down to 0.5 microvolt for a usable (in DX terms) mono signal. The tuner handles my high-RF environment (less than five miles from two 100,000-watt FM stations) better than any tuner I've ever tested. I like this tuner so much that I sold my T-9090II. When you open the TU-1500RD it looks like a gutless wonder inside, because most of the components are surface-mounted on the 'underside' of the circuit board. There are very few components mounted on the 'top' of the circuit board. The tuner does not automatically switch from narrow to wide IF mode while tuning, but it does have selectable Auto/Manual tuning mode. I always run mine in manual because in auto it wants to scan to the next fairly strong signal it finds, which is annoying. In manual, it tunes normally in 100 kHz steps, but in manual mode it won't do stereo. [Could there be a problem with this one? - Editor] I think that's kind of odd, but it doesn't bother me for DX work. In either auto or manual, it retains whatever IF setting (wide or narrow) you've selected."

DXer Matt S. adds, "I too am pleased with the TU-1500RD, although I've not modified the filters. The audio quality is far superior to my Yamaha TX-900 but the .01 MHz tuning step on the Yamaha is very useful. I decided the best thing for me was to leave the Denon unmodified and use both tuners as conditions warrant. Having not used a 'regular' (read: unmodified) tuner in years, I can't really compare this unit to other unmodified tuners, but it does fine on adjacents if a signal is up. The real fun, of course, is the RDS display built in." Another DXer, Mike Bugaj, has a writeup on mods for the TU-1500RD, as well as a comparison to the Onkyo T-450RDS, on his website. But DXers Bill N. and Randy Z. complain that "the extended mute every time you change frequency, almost a full second," basically means that the TU-1500RD has to be DXed with in mono. Bill adds, "There is also next to nothing you can do to tweak that tuner as there just isn't much inside other than the big IC that has everything built into it, and the service manual isn't terribly helpful on what pins do what."

Our contributor Dan has more on the TU-1500RD: "The first thing that impressed me was the attractive design and somewhat intelligent layout. The buttons are a little on the small side but spaced far enough apart to be used without hitting two or more buttons at once. Using it for the first time was extremely easy with little surprise. The tuning knob works just like an analog tuner does, except in 'Auto' it will scan until it finds the next station. It doesn't change from narrow to wide mode automatically either, but will stay in either mode when searching. I noticed that the tuner was trying to lock onto even weak stations that barely had any signal that I don't normally don't listen to, but changing to 'manual' would bring in many cleanly. Sonics-wise, nothing really jumped out at me, it was pleasant and non-fatiguing. Soundstage had very good depth, bass was very natural-sounding without being obnoxious or overly boomy, highs were a little laid back, but the detail and clarity is excellent. Overall I'd say the sensitivity of this tuner seem to outweigh any sonic deficiencies there might be because you can hear more stations better than before, at least I can, and any sonic shortcomings are relatively small compared to other less sensitive tuners. The RDS can be a very nice feature, probably more suited for use in cars, but helpful when DX'ing. I think this would be a good tuner for someone who doesn't want to have to pay to have a vintage tuner upgraded and repaired - it just works well out of the box." The rack-mount version of the TU-1500RD is called the TU-1500RDP, with the "P" apparently standing for "professional" as with the Marantz ST-6000. The TU-1500RD usually sells for $110-160 on eBay, but as low as $75-90 and up to $200 or more are not uncommon. The record low is $42 in 9/09 for one with a remote.

[ray4410]

Item: Denon TU1500AE AM/FM

Location: Perth

Item Condition: Excellent (10/10)

Reason for Selling: No longer being used

Price: $200 [excluding shipping]

Payment Method: Cash, Bank Check, Electronic Funds Transfer

Extra Info: As new condition with remote.

[ray4410]

hi, how much postage to mount martha victoria 3934,thanks ray,,also is it black or silver.

[rob2]

I'm interested in this tuner (if its still available) but am unsure how to proceed, or how to send a personal message. (I work on computer all day yet feel like a Ludite when I'm on this site as I have a lot of trouble figuring out how things work).