Tivoli Audio Model One AM / FM Table Radio, Classic / Walnut Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Several years ago I inherited a KLH 21--the inspiration for Henry Kloss' current Tivoli Model One.It is among my most cherished possessions, but sentiment aside--this radio is an advancement of the KLH "original" in nearly every aspect.

Audio tonal quality is much like "beauty"--it's in the eye (or ear) of the beholder.Considering the price and genre of this radio--I consider its audio fidelity to be exceptional--powerful and very pleasing.I prefer its design objective that incorporates ONE superior amp and speaker--opposed to TWO lesser channels for stereo.I've never been able to rationalize a "stereo" design where the speakers are separated by only eight-inches of face-plate!

FM RECEPTION:I own way more than my fair share of radios.Is this product on par with the classic $1500-dollar McIntosh MR-78?Not at all, but remember--Amazon is asking you for a mere $120 to own this radio.Within all reasonable considerations--FM performance is excellent.I suspect the criticism of FM reception you read here is due to a couple factors that are not the fault of this radio.First, NO GOOD FM TUNER can tell the difference between a weak distant station and all the "RF trash" generated within your environment by computers, "smart" appliances, and security systems.In fact, a superior tuner is MORE prone to such interference.Secondly, EVERY GOOD FM TUNER requires a good antenna--lose that included 12-inch "rat tail".I use a C Crane "FM Reflect" tuned wire dipole which terminates directly into the 75-ohm coaxial external antenna connector on this radio.FM sensitivity, selectivity, and capture ratio are very good.I routinely receive distant signals with good quality, and I have NEVER seen this radio overload from a strong local signal at a reasonable distance from its transmitter.

AM RECEPTION:My major criticism of this product is ironically my major accolade!Out of the box, this radio is unresponsive to all but the most powerful AM signals, and it IS NOT equally sensitive across the full 540-1700kHz band.This deficiency CAN be rectified with a $40 addition of the Terk "AM Advantage" inductively-coupled loop antenna.Set it atop or beside this radio, and the AM reception character changes dramatically.Maybe there is a "blessing" in this design--as there are NO "whistles", intermod, or overloading apparent on this radio's AM band reception!With the exception of a very few (and expensive) specialty receivers--the Model One provides the finest AM audio I have found in a mass-market radio.If your option for music lies on AM, you will be very pleased with this radio!

My favorite feature is the very smooth 5:1 geared ANALOG rotary tuning.It's generally accurate, and the wide bandspread and variable-intensity tuning light make it a joy to use.Analog tuning is technically superior in EVERY respect to today's commonplace "digital" tuning.Inconvenient?Maybe ever so slightly, but worth the minimal effort.

FINE PRODUCT... An easy FIVE-STAR recipient!

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Product Description:
Where performance and simplicity are paramount but space is sparse, the Model One table radio fits the bill. With just three knobs, it is the antithesis of today's ever more complex electronic products. The Model One gets more stations than other radios because of its state of the art, Henry Kloss designed discrete-component FM tuner using technology originally developed for cellular telephones. This technology gives better FM reception and increased clarity on closely spaced stations. Features include a furniture-grade, handmade walnut wood cabinet that doubles as an acoustically inert housing and a heavy-magnet, long-throw 3-inch speaker which provides musically accurate tonal balance and bass response. Its large analog tuning knob with geared-down 5:1 tuning ratio permits easy and accurate tuning. The amber tuning indicator lets you know when you've achieved proper tuning. Built-in AM and FM antennas provide satisfying reception, while a rear 75-ohm jack allows connection of an external FM antenna in difficult reception areas. Also provided is a headphone jack, auxiliary input to connect an iPod, MP3 player or portable CD player, and a record output for recording, or to use the Model One as a high-quality outboard tuner.

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