Accuphase T-106 Vintage Tuner

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General:
Super impressive and moderately rare stereo tuner from Accuphase.

During long-term testing I was somewhat blown away by the musical quality of stations tuned in from this tuner. Especially considering we regularly see and test some of the best tuners ever made.

The T-106 features a digital readout with no less than 14 station presets, fixed and variable RCA output at the rear, plus two analog meters that are a joy to watch in operation. One is for multipath and the other reads signal strength.

Click here to view the vintage Accuphase T-106 sales brochure featuring all the technology and specs packed into this tuner.

Note: The AM section of this Tuner is not functioning despite our attempts to bring it back into normal operation. 

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
A small dent present on the top of the unit. Some scratches on the case, also mostly on the top surface. Overall its in presentable condition.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
This unit came into the shop in non-working condition. We located a shorted capacitor on the control board that was causing the display and control functions to act up. We replaced this capacitor along with the other three of the same type on the control board. All FM features are now functional but the unit cannot switch into AM mode.

Brand Background:
The name ACCUPHASE was adapted by taking the prefix ACCU from the word "accurate", and combining it with PHASE which is a most important factor in audio technology. We feel it is a very fitting brand name to describe our products that fully portray this and other important characteristics, which penetrate the innermost depth of audio technology. Our endless pursuit of quality requires a very high degree of processing which persuades us to avoid the use of mass production systems. Consequently, production volume is limited and Accuphase products are available only at a restricted number of specialized stores.

Accuphase equipment is not subject to the whims of market fashion since they are made, above all, to achieve true high fidelity sound reproduction. This is the foremost reason why our products have enjoyed long-run production.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
Fixed and Controlled (Variable) RCA Outputs. Captive power cord.

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Unit and Manual

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Specs:
Total harmonic distortion ratio: 20Hz - 0.04% 1kHz - 0.04% 10kHz -0.08%
IM distortion factor: 0.03% (80 dBf input, ±75kHz deviation)
Frequency response: 10Hz to 16kHz, +0 -0.5dB
Stereo separation degree: 100Hz - 50dB 1kHz - 50dB 10kHz - 45dB
Stereo switching input voltage: 20 dBf[AM tuner section]
Reception frequency: 522kHz to 1611kHz
Total harmonic distortion ratio: 0.3% (1 mV / m, 1 kHz, 30% modulation)
S / N ratio: 50 dB (1 mV / m, 1 kHz, 30% modulation)
De Emphasis: 100μS
Output voltage: 0.3V (30% modulation)
Antenna: FM - 75Ω unbalanced (300Ω balanced converter included)
AM - Air core loop antenna
Tuning method: Quartz synthesizer system 14 stations random memory tuning
Detection method: FM - DGL method AM - Synchronous method
Output impedance fixed output: 200Ω
Adjustable output: 1.25kΩ (maximum)
Meter: Signal strength, multipass / modulation switching type

Dimensions:
17.5" x 14.6" x 5"

Weight:
19.8 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1984

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot.

On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR. Vintage analog tuners also have moving parts related to the tuning gang and dial string. These parts are inspected for smooth operation.

If the unit passes visual inspection it is bench tested for a handful of key performance parameters using a Sencore SG80 AM/FM Stereo Analyzer. The SG80 allows us to “simulate” an ideal radio station using precision test signals instead of music. This device in conjunction with an oscilloscope allows us to properly evaluate the following parameters:

1) AM Reception (Where Applicable)
2) FM Mono Reception & Tuning Meter Function
3) FM MPX Reception (Stereo)
4) Dial Tracking: How accurately the tuner dial or display indicates the actual frequency of the broadcast being received.
5) Stereo Separation: A properly working stereo tuner will have minimal crosstalk between the left and right channel.
6) Sensitivity & Signal Strength Meter Function: By lowering the output of the SG80 we can simulate weak stations and determine how well the tuner will be able to pull in weak distant stations. This adjustment also helps us verify signal strength meter function.

If the tuner has acceptable performance related to the parameters above we connect the unit for listening tests with a simple dipole antenna. We listen for audio reproduction quality of local stations and evaluate how many stations the tuner can receive while we sweep through the dial.

We are looking to verify that the tuner can decode stereo on strong local broadcasts and pick up a wide variety of local stations at the bottom, middle, and top of the frequency band. At this point we also test convenience features such as muting, filters, built in oscilloscope function, etc.

We finish up with an extended listening test on our long term test rig. We tune in to a strong local station and monitor for drift over a minimum period of 2-3 hours.