HD Tuners and The Summit submitted by Scott

friday, january 16, 2009

Now that 91.3 The Summit has the HD Radio signal on air, it's time to enjoy the new sound on your existing receiver. Having looked at several tuners priced under $250, I decided to try the Sagean HDT-1X with my 6.1 surround system. Here are the specifications of this unit:

Features

Dimmable Graphic LCD Display turns off with unit.

Program Associated Data Services Displays Information such as: call sign, channel frequency, data rate, radio text, audio mode, service mode, signal quality, signal strength indicator.

Force Analog Mode

Split Audio Mode

Selectable Stereo/Mono Mode

IR Remote Control

Larger, Hardcase Remote
Spec
Built-in Player Radio
AM/FM FM 87.5-108

AM 520-1710

Hybrid and Full Digital Radio Reception

40 Memory Presets (20 FM, 20 AM)

FM RBDS function available with PS, PTY, RT and CT features

Connectors Optical SPDIF and Stereo-RCA
Dimensions 16.8" x 10" x 2.8"

Connecting the unit couldn't be easier, simply connect the included antenna, connect either the RCA jacks with the cords supplied, or as in my case, plug a SPDIF Optical cable. The optical cable not onlyy allows a single cable solution but avoids an analog-to-digital conversion before sending the signal to the amp. Now plug it into power (no external transformer required) and you're ready to go.

This tuner does an amazing job with the analog signal, much clearer and stronger than the standard tuner. It does an equally amazing job with the HD, allowing me to get a clear signal on both the HD channels from The Summit. To improve the signal evern more, I added a splitter to the rooftop television antenna which improves the signal quality significantly and now brings in 2 HD channels from WKRK in Cleveland Heights, which I have never been able to recieve on any tuner.

Another plus of this unit is something that has bothered me with almost every HD radio; it has a dimmable display that when the unit is turned off, the display backlight turns off. It's so nice to have a unit that doesn't force you to use it as a night light. When you are making any station or settings changes the display is at your selected display level and after 15 seconds dims. Very nice when you're relaxing in a dimly lit room.

Overall, this reciever will allow you to enjoy the great programing on 91.3 The Summit on your existing stereo or surround receiver at a reasonable price. Prices on this unit range from $149-275 at the time of this post.

For additonal information on this unit and to read other user comments check Newegg.com at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882720013&Tpk=hdt-1x
posted by scott at 9:45 am 0 comments
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