Sangean AM/FM HD Tuner - Post Your Review

[Demodave]

Has Sangean started to ship their HDT-1 AM/FM HD Tuner? If so...who's got one? Any reviews? Sensitivity? Ease of use like switching to the multicast signals?

 

[hipporadio]

Has Sangean started to ship their HDT-1 AM/FM HD Tuner? If so...who's got one? Any reviews? Sensitivity? Ease of use like switching to the multicast signals?

I just happened to stumble on that tuner at the Sangean web site a couple weeks ago while researching another product added exclusively to the C Crane '07 line-up.

Interesting, that Sangean provides very few technical specifics on that HD tuner at their site. They describe it as a "home component stereo tuner", but frankly--it looks really cheap and tacky by “component standards”.

Considering the very close relationship between C Crane and Sangean (they make C Crane's CC-Radio and allow them to sell several other products exclusively), I was curious that the HD tuner wasn't "rolling out" in the new '07 C Crane catalog along with a half-dozen other new Sangean items. C Crane enjoys a very good rep with customers as a place to find unique radio products which are "well filtered" for quality, performance, and value (especially in regards to AM radio). Bob Crane makes these product choices based on his own satisfaction (or so they say)--but as a long-time Crane customer--I tend to place reasonable faith in that claim!

I called a Crane service tech I have come to know over the past few years, and asked for the "scoop". He admitted to knowing about it, but little more--not even a committal that it was under current evaluation for addition to their product catalog in the near future. He noted that they are offering the BA Receptor HD Radio, but "Sales were dismal".

New Sangean "cutting edge" radio... No C Crane sales... VERY INTERESTING ???

 

[hipporadio]

A search on Amazon.com reveals their "intention" to sell the Sangean HDT-1 "HD Component Radio" for $199.95

Amazon's "Product Description" of the HDT-1 is the most minimal I have ever seen for an item sold there. It is vague about even the bands tuned (but I assume it's AM and FM), and makes no mention of HD-2 or HD-3 services or the menu topography for accessing them.

NO technical specifications are indicated on the page... Again, very unusual for Amazon!

Interesting... The HDT-1 is a component HD digital radio that "integrates easily into your home theater system" ... Yet the tuner offers ONLY RCA analog line outputs--NO SPDIF coaxial or optical digital outs...

HUMMMMM ???

Now... AVAILABILITY... Here's another Amazon "first"... They make the following delivery statement: "In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, First served"

A "regular" can find a toll-free number and actually phone a real Amazon human... So I called and inquired about their estimated delivery schedule on the HDT-1. Their position is: When Sangean makes it available; Amazon will accept your order, bill your credit card, then authorize a "drop ship" from an undisclosed entity. Amazon has no immediate plans to warehouse this product at their own customer fullfillment centers.

Now folks... Consider Amazon--who will happily hustle to ship your choice of 50,000+ products from stock... Consider that Amazon will get a $3400 set of ultra high-end AllClad copper professional cookware to my kitchen within a day... Amazing that there are more Emerils out there ready to demand delivery on the most decadent means of making dinner than there are radio listeners wanting their HD Radio!

'Guess Amazon really got burned on the BA Receptor

How absolutely lame this pathetic HD Radio affair is becoming... How close is this patient to finally passing, Doctor?

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-HDT-1...id=1163989799/ref=sr_11_1/002-9044050-9279250

 

[700WLW]

The Receptor HD has been hanging aroung 10,000, in the electonic sales rankings on Amazon. I wonder, which advertising firm is handling the Big HD Radio Rollout, if any ?

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Interesting... The HDT-1 is a component HD digital radio that "integrates easily into your home theater system" ... Yet the tuner offers ONLY RCA analog line outputs--NO SPDIF coaxial or optical digital outs...

HUMMMMM ???

I'd almost bet that's to avoid having compliance issues with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

 

[hipporadio]

Interesting... The HDT-1 is a component HD digital radio that "integrates easily into your home theater system" ... Yet the tuner offers ONLY RCA analog line outputs--NO SPDIF coaxial or optical digital outs...

HUMMMMM ???

I'd almost bet that's to avoid having compliance issues with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

I briefly considered that, but then check out this link at Amazon for the Polk "component" XM tuner designed for an identical application:

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-XR...1_6/102-3662138-2757711?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

In addition to the customary coax and optical outs, the XRt12's RS-232 I/O connector allows for a direct serial connection to most home digital media distribution appliances. I would assume if the DMCA applies to over-the-air broadcast--it would for sat as well in regards to home use.

I rather suspect this is a cost containment decision on Sangean's part. There is evidence apparent elsewhere in the HDT-1 design, feature list (or lack thereof), and simple cosmetics (which Sangean is usually good at) that indicates a "keep it on the cheap" mentality. Problem is--$200 in todays consumer mindset is anything but "cheap" for a radio tuner!

 

[hipporadio]

Re: Sangean AM/FM HD Tuner - UPDATE

It appears thatSangean is nearing a delivery date on its HDT-1 "home component" AM/FM HD tuner. The company website was just updated to provide much more information on this product including a "product manual" .pdf file for download.

http://www.sangean.com/product.php?model=HDT-1

Also, Amazon is now showing an "arrival date" of Dec 25th (Merry Christmas living room IBOC lovers). They quote a sale price of $199.99 (including free shiping).

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-HDT-1...r_1/105-9269408-1167640?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

ANY TAKERS? Sangean generally produces fine radios (especially on AM)... Interesting if this product can keep up with their tradition.

They also have an HD "table radio" in a real wooden cabinet - the HDR-1. YEP... Yet ANOTHER Two-hundred-dollar-plus "box" (but this one looks fairly classy). TWO Interesting points: The "table model" features an SPDIF optical digital output - but the "home component" tuner DOES NOT ??... Also, Sangean makes two VERY GOOD mono table radios (also in wooden cabinets) with a high-quality 7-watt+ RMS amp onboard--but the HDR-1 DOES NOT specify an amplifier power rating?

http://www.sangean.com/product.php?model=HDR-1

Amazon shows it "in stock for delivery by Dec 19th" for $249.00 (including free shipping).

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-HDR-1...1_1/105-9269408-1167640?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

 

[rfrus]

The Sangean tuner is shipping. We ordered several to monitor our 6 HD/HD2 stations and I bought one for home. We received them last week. It looks right at home on a rack shelf in the equipment rack. It is a very nice, well built, tuner with very good sensitivity, better than the BA, and such features as a display of BER, carrier s/n and a graphic audio display. When not tuned in to an HD stations it also displays RDS.

My only complaint is that it does not a digital output. I would highly recommend it, especially at the Ibiquity price of $99.

 

[hipporadio]

Re: Sangean AM/FM HD Tuner - FIRST REVIEW on Amazon

Within hours of Sangean's website update taking this product to "current market" status; and Amazon's product page update to announce the HDT-1 availability for shipment on (or about) December 25, 2006 - an early-adopter, pre-release recipient, and obvious HD radio fan has weighed in with a [drum-roll please...] “FIVE-star customer review” on the Amazon site.

"Awesome sound - as stated, FM HD broadcasts rival cd quality. The only down falls are the poorly designed card sized remote; and so far I have not see any way to dim the bright display. I would have given a 4 1/2 if it was an option."

INTERESTING... Because the review "Makes FM enjoyable again" is dated "December 9, 2006", but I did not recall seeing it on the page until the Amazon delivery update earlier this afternoon. ???

I guess it is not unusual for select folks to receive a new consumer product early (before the general public can buy it)... 'So the horses have left the gate - and the race to "spin" HD radio's first home component tuner is on!

The Sangean tuner is shipping. We ordered several to monitor our 6 HD/HD2 stations and I bought one for home. We received them last week. It looks right at home on a rack shelf in the equipment rack. It is a very nice, well built, tuner with very good sensitivity, better than the BA, and such features as a display of BER, carrier s/n and a graphic audio display. When not tuned in to an HD stations it also displays RDS.

My only complaint is that it does not a digital output. I would highly recommend it, especially at the Ibiquity price of $99.

THANKS for the info! My experience with the reception ability of Sangean radios has always been very good. I would be interested in hearing more about this product's "HD sensitivity" on AM and FM.