Sangean HDT-1 Tuner

Yay... I've had my eye on one for quite some time now, but I have not yet found a review or anybody who owns one.

I have my name listed with J&R to inform me when it comes in, for $199 I will be an early adopter so when it happens I will report in and comment.

Drat! The thing doesn't have a digital output (just RCA jacks). I do, however like the styling. Looks like a real stereo component.

Just a thought: I know Amazon and J&R will sell this to you ASAP, but I wonder if folks would think about buying the HDT-1 (same price, I think) from a shop like Universal Radio:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...alty/0149.html

Anyhow, there are companies out there who are trying to cater to radio enthusiasts, and I think it would be good to support them -- give them our business.

Jim

Well, Universal's on-line system allowed me to place an order so I did about 10 minutes ago. I have ordered from Universal before and am a satisfied customer, so I figured I would give them my business again. Once I get this Sangean hooked up, I will post a review. Ho, Ho, Ho

So I guess the lack of digital output is the result of the "plague of the digital age" (a.k.a. copy protection issues) again? Then there's no need for me to wait for another tuner to be released....

Looks interesting , I just with there was a digital out rather than the RCA plugs

Hello,

That display format show in the flyer is the same as the Radio Shack Accurian HD Radio. I wonder if Sangean made the Accurian as they made some Radio Shack Shortwave Radios.

73 Eric

My name is Clayton and I work at Sangean. I noticed the thread since we are always looking to see what people think about or upcoming models and such and figured I would end the confusion.

The HDT-1 arrived in our warehouse yesterday and is now shipping to dealers. For those of you who ordered them already should begin receiving them in a week or so, and the others can begin ordering them.

The reason it doesn't have SPDIF is that HD Radio and SPDIF are somehow conflicting. It seems to result in poor AM HD reception. It is a techinical drawback of HD AM and we at Sangean are working hard to make sure our next HD models can have optical without suffering from this problem.

Otherwise I am flattered that people are interested and look forward to hearing your feelings on the product in your homes.

Of course there are a lot of receivers out there with coax SPDIF ins and outs that receive AM just fine, so it's possible to solve this problem.

I've called them a few times and always get an answering machine that says to 'leave a message'. Place seems a little bogus to me--

Might be due to the coax output radiating 1's and 0's. Maybe an optical output would be better.

If you saw my other post, Bonneville International just bought something like 4,000 of these, to use for promotional purposes. When we get to play with a few, I'll post a comment or two.

Circuit City is hosting only the BA Receptor and in only 10 markets, limited.

BB has stated that they will not carry ANY HD Radio since it does not provide additional revenue stream like sattelite in the form of subscription kick-backs. They have decided their bottom line is more important that consumers interests.

However, you will find the HDR-1 at Crutchfield and probably Target and Microcenter at the beginning of next year. The HDT-1 will be harder to get since most retailers don't believe the consumers will be interested in them, so let your local retailer know where you stand.

J&R Music and Newegg are both great places to get either model of our HD Radio's.


As for the reception issue and SPDIF, it is not Sangean specific. Other manufacturers were going to put SPDIF in as well but found that it would make reception on AM almost impossible to get.

Master Theseus,
Nice to see companies actually communicating with their consumers.

Thanks for the clarification on the SPDIF issue. I would of thought that it was you or Ibiquity trying to please the RIAA.

I'd love to get one of those component tuners.

I'm also wondering.... are you guys ever going to release a sequel to the ATS-909. It's a nice radio, but it's been on the market for like 10 years now (and yet still king of shortwave portables).

A portable LW, AM,SW and FM receiver, with HD Radio, RDS and DRM would be nice.

No, Sangean will not release a new Shortwave radio. The closest thing to it will be our DRM-40, featuring DRM, Digital Radio Mondale, digital shortwave. The reason being that we have over the past 5 years seen a 50% reduction in the shortwave category. People unfortunately are not interested in SW.

Just for fun one day after I found out about the JVC HD car stereo, when a Best Buy guy came up to me, I asked him about HD Radio. He pointed out their "one" model that has an optional HD tuner as a $250-300 add-on. His computer had actual Web access available, so I had him look up the JVC and he was surprised to learn it exists.

I hope your new products do well-I may add a home tuner since I love HD Radio in my car.

It goes on my Christmas wish list!

Master Theseus, do you know when Newegg will be listing the HDT-1?

I can say that Newegg's reputation is that they will not post it on the website until they have product in stock. Once that happens it will be quick. I would expect to see it by the end of next week.

Also, I am going to send anyone the specifics of Signal to noise and other specs about the HDR-1 and HDT-1 upon request. I can not give you the complete repair manual, but many people have asked and I can supply that information.

Specs
http://www.sangean.com/downloads/flyers/HDT-1_SPECS.pdf

for the manual
http://www.sangean.com/downloads/manuals/HDT-1_MAN.pdf

So how does this do for AM reception? There are plenty of times that I listen to sports news and talk. I understand that it is supposed to eliminate a lot of static, but if it can't tune the station to begin with it does not help much. I've always amazed that a cheap $10 clock radio with a manual tuning wheel will produce listenable reception, while my $1100 Denon receiver is pretty much useless for AM even for the "50,000 watt blowtorch."