Sangean HDT-20 HD Radio/FM Stereo/AM Component Tuner, Black

Downloaded the user's manual from the net. Very easy installation and setup, took about 15 minutes from opening the box to having it fully installed and working. Used one of the auxiliary inputs on my (higher-end) tuner/amplifier. HD FM quality is noticeably better than the native tuner in the amplifier and the HD tuner will now be the default. The unit also gives access to numerous (at least in my area) HD FM substations that cannot be accessed with a standard tuner. All said and done, pretty much a home run.

SPDT optical output (and coax) has a software defect. With higher bitstreams and some radio channels it makes a stuttering sound that occurred about every second. I returned the first unit to Seagan thinking it was a defect on the particular unit but the second one, though slightly better, still had the same stutter. This occurred only on some radio channels and was sometimes un-noticeable depending on what I think was the bitrate of the track being played by the radio station. I worked around this issue by connecting through the line-out interface. Its not as good as optical but the problem has gone away. SPDIF=buggy. Other than the annoying SPDIF issue this legacy HDRadio tuner is one of the best home HDReceivers that exist (within $500).

If you're serious about FM, you need this! Although Sangean is a respected name, primarily for portable and table radios, you normally wouldn't think of them in terms of stereo components. That said, I clearly understand why they opted to move forward with this item. Simply put, they offer the best FM reception technology on the market. This unit pulls them in like no other. While an outdoor antenna is optimal, even the supplied dipole draped behind your audio system will provide much better results than most integrated AVR tuners. Audio quality is top notch with both normal FM and Digital HD signals. The analog and digital outputs provide clean, low noise connection options and the large display is clear and easy to read. Unfortunately, it doesn't have an app, but after initial setup, the conventional wireless remote is really all you need. Great item!

I have a very good 1984 receiver, but after reading multiple reviews from hi-fi websites, thought this was worth a try. NOT DISSAPOINTED! Want to share a few points below -You may want or need to add a better antenna, depending on your location. I have never had success with wire antennas so did not try the one included, but some reviewers had good results so suggest trying that first. I use rabbit ears that I harvested from a junk 1978 TV set and get very good reception considering it is right next to the tuner. I tried multiple positions but was not pleased at first. Then I moved the tuner a few inches and got better reception. So there's that. But I did notice a difference in HD quality between stations with four-bar signal strength and the ones with five bars. When the weather gets better I'll try moving the antenna to the attic and hope that helps. The five-bar signals produce outstanding results.Also if you are not doing this already, be sure to buy some decent cables to connect to your receiver or amp. I set my tuner up with crappy ones first to make sure the thing worked, but was a bit disappointed. Then I purchased some good ones on Amazon and was quire pleased with the improvement. The pair was less than $30 and well worth it. Some people spend hundreds on them but this pair got the standard FM stations back to the quality of my receiver, so unless you have a receiver/amp in the four-to-five digit dollar range there's no need spend more. Check some hi-fi community websites for suggestions and/or submit a question and I'll advise which ones I bought. BTW, I will buy more for my other components.Have not yet experimented with the AM function so cannot comment.Only drawback is that remote volume and muting control works only for the headphones, at least when running through analog components. Don't know if it would would work with total digital equipment.Setting the stations using the instructions is a bit confusing but easy once you understand that you have to release the two buttons before hitting the preset number button. Display will tell you when you've successfully added it.Overall I'm very happy with this purchase. Quality for the price is surprisingly good! UPDATE: IF YOU ARE CONNECTING TUNER TO AMP WITH RCA CABLES, READ THIS FOR GREATLY IMPROVED RESPONSE:While reading some hifi web threads I learned that performance can be enhanced by connecting tuner to a DAC (digital audio converter) via the optical audio output. Then connect from the DAC to the amp with your RCA cables. You can spend a lot of money if you want, but I bought a converter that included the optical digital cable through Amazon for $15 . Took just few minutes and WOW, really improved performance. 4-bar strength signals now sound fantastic. Search the internet for best DAC's if you want to review all options, but be sure to get one!

I gave it 5 stars because its a nice tuner. I have always had YAMAHA amplifiers and tuners. My Yamaha amp stopped working (35 yrs old) so i purchased a new one without a tuner. I realized I listened to the tuner quite a bit more than i realized so i purchased this one along with the new amp. I live in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia where the reception is BAD. I did not expect much as far as performance because of the location, but when i hooked it up it was a drastic improvement. I only got 3 or 4 stations before, now with HD I get approx. 12. 8 or 9 of them are crystal clear. I'm thrilled. I will never use the timers on it or the clock and may-be a few other whistles and bells but the reception is so much better. Im from the Buffalo NY area where the amount of stations are plentyful at least30 plus 10 Canadian stations. So even though i only get 12 they are clear with no background noise. A nice tuner.

Pretty great tuner overall (it's not like we have a choice in affordable HD component tuners). Not the most selectitive and average sensitivity with the supplied dipole antenna. A quality outdoor FM antenna is a must. The internal digital to analog converter (DAC) is quality. An outboard one isn't making a big sonic difference. Thank you for the sub $200 price.

I own a few radios from Sangean, and they have amazing reception. I hooked this up to my vintage integrated amplifier and it sounds amazing when a good HD channel is tuned.