FaNraRE FT-r FM TUNERSteven Stone

Fanfare FT-l FM tuner

l'71 he official designation for FM, is Frequency Modulation, but

t- I think FM stands for FreshMusic. Since before the age of recordedtimg FM has been where you go to heârnew music, be it the latestJimi Hendrixalbum or a recent release from theKronos Quartet.

FM is my mainline for new music-I'm a total FMjunkie-but FM is alsoresponsible for my involvement withhigh-end audio gear. It startedin 1977with this little Lynn, Massachusetts FMstation that I couldn't pick up with myPioneer receiver, so I purchased an NADFM tuner. Then I replaced the rest ofthereceiver with separates; then I replacedthe separates with Revox gear; then Ireplaced the Rwox gear with Quad gear;then I replaced the Quad gear with. . .

you get the picture. À rabid audiophilewas born, and FM is to blame.

Marv Southcott, President of FanfareElectronics, Ltd., is also a rabid FMjunkie (although he'd be the last personto describe himself as such; unlike yrstrl¡ Marv is a eíuilizeilhtman). FIe wasone ofthe founders ofMagnum Dyna-lab, where he worked with ManfredBreunig on the original Magnum Dyna-lab FiI-101 tunerproject. Marv is also theatthor of Redisewer FM Stereo, an er<cel-lent primer on FM stereo for the termi-nally confused. Marv left MagnumDy-nalab in 1991, and in earþ '93 foundedFanfare Electronics, Ltd.1 to developproducts for the FM-tuner and FM-reception market. The FT:1, Fanfare'spremier product, represents quite anauspicious beginning.

TncnNrcar sruFFThe Fanfare FTll owner's manual statesthat "The Fanfare FT:l is a highly sen-sitive FM tuner augmented by encellentselectivity and offering a host ofimpor-tant feetures. Not the least ofthese fea-tures is clear firll-spectrum stereo recep-tion with excellent sonic accurary andsoundstage reproduction." Amen.

I Fmfa¡e Elænonics is ø¡ associated with Vicor Gold-stein's Fanfa¡eDistribution, which importsJadis, Silæch,and Combak Harmonix products.

The FT:1 also has an infrared remotecontrol with all-front-panel functions:eight presets, wide/narrow IF bandswitching, rwo-position DX switchingfor "local only" reception, fast up/downmanual tuning in 50kHz sæps, auto-seekmode to automatically fìnd stereo FMstations, silent pushbutton controls, anda special "band" switch for future RFbandwidths. The Fanfare features spe-cial noise-reduction circuitry, two sets

ofunbalanced audio ouçuts ftIi and Lo),one set ofbalanced XLR audio outputs,and a composite output (for FM broad-cast use). In other words, the FT:1 hasall the bells and whistles of a mid-fi dig-ital tuneq plus sound quality associatedwith the best audiophile products. It'savailable in either rack-mount (19l/) ornon-rack-mount (17l/) versions ûnishedin goes-with-anything black. Other fin-ishes may be available upon request,depending on how hard you beg andhow much you're willing to pay. Thesample unit was the rack-mount versionin ubiquitous black.

The FT:l is an analog tuner design. Itdoesn't use a frequency-synthesis "blackbox," but discrete circuitry using tunedcoils and MOSFET solid-state dwices.It does use a proprietary digital micro-processor circuit called UNISET*, whichconstantly samples for accuracy the fre-quency tuned to-ifit detects any drift,the UNISET* monitor immediat ly

"d-justs the tuner to keep it properþ tuned.RF stages in the FT:1 use high-quality

varactor tuning devices and MOSFETRF amplifiers; IF stages utilize hand-selected ceramic filters for best group-delay characteristics. The low-level RCAoutput is direct-coupled, while the high-level output is boosted by an audio-gradeamplifier stage. As long as the FT:1 isplugged into a working AC outlet, the

tuning circuit stâys on: Ifyou listen verycarefully, you canhear some signal com-ing from the FT:1 when it's turned off.Don't worr¡ your system hasn't devel-oped RF problems-it'sjust the FT:1'sway ofletting you know it's still there.

EncoNonrrcsI own several tunersf each of whichrequires a trþ to the component rack fortuning and adjusting. Kary my cat, hates

it when I get up to ûddle with anythingin my system-she thinks listening ses-sions were created so she can bed downand catch a Gw winks in SS's lap. TheFT:l's remote control gets a five-pawrating from Kat¡ since it allows me tomake all the adjustments from my chair.Not only can I change stations from mysitting position, I can alsojump throughand change presets, switch from wide tonarrow band, change into mono if thesignal is bad, and turn the tuner on andoff. Only thing it doesn't do is makeKaty lighter. Yep, remote control is amust for the cat-encumbered FM lisæner.

The Ff:l looks prety plain. But mosttuners are posiúveþ plug-ugly. At leastthe FT:l avoids the Ginza-at-midnight,cacamorphic, lights-bel1s-and-whistleslook. Its layout is workmanlike and log-ical, resembling a piece ofpro broadcastgear more than home-electronics equip-ment. Its LED display indicates signalstrength, frequency, stereo/mono infor-mation, Wide/Narrow setting, DX set-ting, and a setup display when you'rechanging presets. While the FT:l prob-ably won t steal any industrial-designawards away from B&O, it's simpleenough that you'll never get a headachelooking at it.

2 Cunently I have a Dym FM-3, ScotdAmpq Ll110B,Fishe¡ 2008, Harman/Kardon Citation IIIX, Marantz

FM stereo tuner with analog tuning and full-function remote control. Usable sen-

sitivity: l0.SdBf/monq ll.SdBf/sterco 50dB quieting ænsitivity l5.0dBf mono; 35.0dBf

stereo Capture ntio: l.SdB. Selætivity: 55dB/wide, 75dB/nanow. Adjacent<hannel

selctivity: lOdB/wide, 25dB/nanow. Tuning range: 87.5-108.5MHz in 50kHz steps.

S/N ntio: 75dB ( A-weighted). THD: 0.15% monq 0.300/o stereo. Stereo sepan-

tion (lkHz): 50d8. AM suppression: -70d8. SCA suppression: -70d8. Power con-

sumption: 25W. Dimensions: 19'W by 3.5" H by 10.25" D. Weight: 15 lbs. Serial

numhr of unit testd: 1(X)2. Prics $1195. Appro<inute numhr of dealen: 20. Manufæ-

turer: hnhre Electronics, t¡d.,2100 Old Union Road, Buffalq NY 14227. Tel: (8ü))

26-TUNER, (90s) 793-79s3. h* (905) 793-5984.

SrEneorurrr,Junr 1994

208, and a Magnum Dynalab Etude.

147

SvsrpuSee my Green Mountain Audio Diamantereview elsewhere in this issue for the fLlllist ofequipment I used during the pre-paration ofthis review. I used nvo differ-ent antenna setups for runer compari-sons: The first system consisted oftheMagnum Dynalab Silver Ribbon indoordipole antenna attached to the MagnumDynaiab model 205 Signal Sleuth; thesecond system was an outdoor TV/FMantenna from Radio Shack with a RadioShack rotor and distribution box. I alsomade much use of the collected worksof Philip K. Dick.

SorrNnThe DenverlBoulder area is blessed witha wide variety of FM stations rangingfrom left-leaning, all-volunteer coÍnnu-nity stations like KGNU to slick, all-classical-music, Mercedes-and-broker-age-services-laden commercial stationslike KVOD. I live in the foorhills oursideBoulder. Here, multipath and weak sig-nals abound, making FM receptionsomething of an interesring spectarorsport. Since dipole ribbons scrunched upin dust-laden comers don'r cut it ar 68801an outdoor antenna feeds my videoroom, and a Silver Ribbon dipole antennais hooked up to a Magnum Dynalab Sig-nal Sleurh in my large listening room.For the last three years, my referencetuner has been the Magnum DynalabEtude. I've needed ir.

The Fanfare Ff:l's performance is deÊinitely on a par with the Etude's-dif-ferences in audio quality between thetwo were very subtle, similar to thedifferences berween rwo different meterlengths of top-quality audio cable. Thetuners sounded very similar, with vir-tually no discernible differences in bal-ance, dynamics, or tonal quality. Onstrong stations likeBoulder's KBCO, theErude had slightly better focus andsoundstaging. On medium-strength stâ-tions like KBDG ("Big Dog Country")from Denver, I couldn't detect any differ-ences between the units. On poor-reception stations like KUNC publicradio from Greele¡ CO, the Fanfare FT:t had less hash and trash rhan rhe Etude.Again, most of these differences werevery slight: The two tuners sounded sosimilar that, other rhan hearing the clickof the switch, it was virtually impossibleto hear when I had switched them.

The transparency of both rhe Etudeand the F?1 was often scary. For exam-ple, I host an audio show on KGNU,Bou-lder's local communiry radio station,called Audío 101, created "by audio nerdsfor audiophobes." My partner TerryReardon and I tape our show in KGNU's

less-than-state-of-the-art productionstudio, outside of which is a buildingunder construction, complete with achorus line of grunting dumptrucks.When I listened to one of oì.rr recentshows while comparing theEtude andthe FT:1, I could track the rrucks rum-bling across the back ofthe soundstage.Nice high-tech production vâlues: te¡-rifying fidelity, perfecr reproduction oflow-level truck rumble.

CoNcrusroNOne of my least favorite publications isCmsumer Reports. Even before they trashedthe Suzuki Samuraif I found their vaiue-for-money, lowest-common-denomina-tor analysis ofaudio products repugnant.Sound never seems to matter to CR,justfeatures and price. Feh.

It is ironic, therefore, that I find thatwhat sets the Fanfare FT:l above its com-petition is its value for the dollar. While theFT:1 is the Magnum Dynalab's equal inperformance and sonics, the Fanfare isergonomically ilpenot and costs $155 less.Ifyou add to the Magnum Dynalab theoptional remotg which gives remote con-trol ofthe five presets, tuning, and on/offcapabfities, the difference is $634 plusshipping. That's enough to pay for quitean elaborate antenna. Alsq the FT:l's spe-cial "band" switch allows for the poisi-bilry ofupgrading for future RF 6ands,assuming Fanfare makes this available.

Vhle the Roæl RFfË10 tuner reviewedby Don Scott in the November 1993 Ste-reophile (/o1.16 NolQ p.230) is also wonhycompeticìon, the Fan_åre has superior out-put capabfities, with both low- and high-level single-ended RCA, and balanðedXLR and composire ourputs. This choiceof outputs allows you to avoid the RHT-l0's Achilles' heel: the excessive outputlevel on heavily modulated starions. iheRotel costs $1500-$305 more rhan rheFanfare.

Given rhat both the MagnumEtudeand the Rotel RHf:10 are rared as ClassA tuners in Stereophile's most recent"Recommended Components," I scronglybelieve that the Fanfare FT:1 deserves notonly Class A srarus, but the bargain"$$$" rating as well. You can spendmore bucks on a tuner ifyou want to, butsmart money will purchase a Fanfare Ff:1 and spend the extra dinero on a super-califragilisticexpialidocious anrerura. FMmay not stend for Free Music, but withthe Fanfare FT:l tuner, your FM sourcemight be the least-expensive Class Ainput in your sysrem. S3 I've owned one of these four-wheeled mechanicalmountain goats for over tlvo years. Great car OnJy rollsover ifyou do wicked stupid stuffwith it while driv-ing drunk. Serves you right.

JSAUDIO

ffiSrrneorHrrr,JuNe 1994

149

ance and its effect on the eflective frequenryresponse ofa given speaker (most notablyin the bass region), we must point out oneimportant factor: Frequenry-response vâr-iations caused by the loudspeaker/roominteraction are far more prominent thanthose caused by the above-noted charac-teristic ofour amplifiers. Response vari-ations of I 10dB (or more) are typical inthe range of 20H z to 200Hz in rnost audio-philelistening rooms. Therefore, our over-riding concern is ultimately the believa-bility ofthe reproduced sonic illusion tothe most sensitive and resolving ofall testinstruments, the human ear!

Thanks again, Dick, for your positiveevaluation. We look forward to your com-ments on some ofour future amp designs,which will once again push the envelopeof reference-caliber sound in tube-amplifìer design.CuusJonNsoN CnRIsJENsENPresident VP, MarketingJoHN SroaN Sonic FrontiersVP, Product Development

GnvpgoN ExoRcrsrSYSTEM DEM,{GNETIZEREditor:We would like to thankJonathan Scull forevaluating the sonic improvements pos-sible from the Gryphon Exorcist. Hedescribes the results as being "easily dis-cernible," with a "quieter, wider presen-tation coming from a'blacker,' more'vel-vety' background."

Ve are pleased to see a comparisonbetween the various system-enhancementproducts available today. The Exorcist isdifferent from other similar products inthat it is actually a miniature signal gener-ator producing a very precise and full-bandwidth pulse tone which we feel isessential for proper system dem gnetize-tion. [/e avoided using the CD mediumas a vehicle for demagnetization due to theinherent problems of signal loss and limi-tation in bandwidth reproduction.

Doucras Sprrr¡nGryphon USA

FaNren¡ rt-rEditor:I'm not quite sure how to respond to thisreview. It has me somewhat overwhelmed.

Now that I have recovered: lf I may, Iwould like to clarify some things men-tioned by SS that are potentially mislead-ing. First, the "band" switch on the remoæis for "future development." While thereare a few projects out there thet are worthyofconsideration, none have been proto-fyped yet. However, I am not a proponentof"planned obsolescence" eithe¡ so I canonly say to those who purchase an FT:lthat factory upgrades will be oflered wher-ever appropriate.

Second, the mention of being able to"hear" the tuner even when it is turned"off ': this occurs only when the pream-plifìer's volume lwel is turned way up. Theaudio is about 70dB down. It was notmentioned in âny literature because I felt

it might spark some orperimentation. And,that is usually the time when a great bigspike decides to visit the user's audio sys-tem. Suffìce it to say, it is not bothersometo low-level audio passages from othercomPonents.

Also, if I may, I would like to mentiona couple ofimportant feetures thât werenot addressed in the review. One is that theFT:l is "6eld serviceable." Either ofits fourPC boards are "swappable," including theRF board, with no further alignment re-quired. Also, the FT:1 carries a limitedthree-year, transferrable w úrar,ty.

Contrary to SS's comments about hav-ing to "beg" for a different faceplate ânish,comeJune (or thereabouts) we will havefaceplates available with graphics that willmetch, generally, with the motiß ofseveralof the major audio electronics manufac-turers. More information on this and a

faceplate switch program is available bycontacting Fanfare FM. For now, onlyFanfare's original motifwill be availablein 17tt .

Over the past few years I have had thepleasure ofworking somewhat as an advo-cate for the FM listener, and for the FM sta-tion. Because ofthe Ff:l's reference qual-ity, it allowed an enswer to a questionusually asked of FM stations: "How doyou know how good you sound ifyoucan t tell how good you sound?" The FT:1is already in broadcast service as â repeeterdemodulator, and as a means to sample tme'bfÊair" quality. But it is my wish that as

many FM stations who are truly interestedin their actual sound [can have an oppor-tunity to hear it]. I can think ofno betterway to do it than to make a demo FT:1available to them. All they have to do is paythe shipping and handling. A sale in thiscase is much less important than the netresult ofthe actual test. Perhaps it's thealtruist surfacing in mg but the station willnow have a reference to go by. Whoknows? Maybe they will adust their audioto more pleasant and realistic levels. Andthose who are already "optimizing" theiraudio will be able to do even better. In anycase, it is the listener who will ultimatelybenefit. Based on the success ofthat pro-gram, a dedicated "pro" model will be onthe market comeJanuary'95.

Finally, I think it very imporant to men-tion that the FTll is a product ofUS designand US manufacturing excellence. And Ihave a lot ofpeople to thank for helpingme bring the FT:-1 to market, especiallythose out there in audio land with whomI have had the pleasure ofbeing associatedover these past 10 years.

Thank you, Stereophile. And thank you,SS. M¡nv Sourncorr

President, Fanfare Electronics

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SrEnronnrre,JUN¡ 1994 207