Magnum Dynalab FT-101 Digital/Analog Reference FM Tuner, w/ST-2 Antenna

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This model is in my top five tuners of all time primarily because of its price to performance ratio. I can’t imagine a better tuner for the $$. 

It's also our best selling tuner!

This unit includes the excellent Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna (not pictured) which is our favorite model and what we use in our shop.

This FT-101 was carefully reviewed and tested in our lab where it performed admirably.

It did not require *any* service or calibration. All dials and indicators worked without issue just as they should.

While it foregoes station presets to keep costs down, all efforts were put into its sensitive and delightful sound. 

It features three backlit analog meters to help you manually tune the station which also makes it look super cool . The three meters read Multipath Interference, Tuning, and RF Input.

The digital display avoids troublesome analog tuning indicators that keep you wondering what station you’ve tuned. 

On the back you’ll find low and high gain outputs to match to your preamp.

Overall physical condition is good with slight signs of use but no deep scratches.

Magnum Dynalab actually still services these vintage tuners per their website and they will also take it on trade against other items from their current product line.

Click here for an original FT-101 review from 1986 with technical specifications.

Recommended Cables:

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best 

The SkyFi Testing Process for Tuners:

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 a strong local station and monitor for drift over a 2-3 hour period.