Marantz ST40 Tuner

The company, having a long-term experience in developing and production of FM receivers and being one of the leading companies for already 15-20 years, is presented in our test by two-range tuner ST40. The tuner is designed simply and elegant and has the pleasant appearance. However, all keys, located under the display in one line, are not very handy: you have to search for each key, examining inscriptions;it is easy to press a neighboring one instead of the desired or even poke a finger in the profiled section of the front panel between the keys. In this model the design obviously wins the control convenience. At FM receiving quite high correlation signal-noise is provided, the sensitivity is close to limit in mono mode but it can be a bit higher in stereo. Adjacent-channel selectivity is sufficient, but it leaves a lot to be desired to second and other side receiving channels. Side channels, separated by few megahertz up in frequency from the main i.e. clearly falling into the action zone of interference from other stations, are suppressed only on 50...60 dB. There is no the balance of parameters: a high real selectivity is need at high sensitivity, otherwise interference from other radio stations is possible. But nevertheless the sound is good at both AM and FM receiving. At the listening of air quite high correlation signal-noise even in AM range on medium waves was also mentioned, notably the frame antenna, enclosed to the tuner, was used. However, like in many other tuners, low suppression of the image channel in AM tract pained. The functional equipment is average because there are no self-programming and possibility of RDS and S-meter. Input attenuator will be useful too, especially taking a high sensitivity of the tuner into account. On the other hand, a dipole VHF antenna is included and this is very good and useful.