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| Magnum Dynalab FT-11 front |
(450) Magnum Dynalab FT-11, there were three different versions of the FT-11; 1988, 1990 and 1993.
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| Magnum Dynalab FT-11 naked |
The FM-only FT-11, like other Magnum Dynalab tuners, has an analog-style tuning knob but uses varactor tuning (the equivalent of 4 gangs) rather than a mechanical tuning capacitor, MD's typical minimalist styling and a large digital frequency readout. With a single IF bandwidth and only 2 ceramic filters, the FT-11 needs some help in the selectivity department. Bill Ammons' amplified filter board, which would convert the 2 filters into 4, would be one possible solution. FM Tuner Info panelist Jim listened to two versions of the FT-11 and has this report: "The earlier version had what looks to be the same audio stage as the FT-101 and 101A. This includes the dated NE5532 op-amp. Both the FT-11 and FT-101 also use 4.7 µF output caps. It should not be surprising the the FT-11 sounds much like the FT-101 in stock form, with both having a rather recessed midrange. The bass isn't bad but there is a little too much treble. The ICs in the older version are an LM4500AM, the 5532 (which they painted over with red paint), and an LM1965N. The new version looks to get its audio from a larger IC. It uses the same LM1965N, but downstream there is a Philips TDA1578A chip instead. The newer version of the FT-11 has a vent on the top and much better-quality RCA output jacks, and is also sonically much more pleasant to listen to. The treble is just there without being in your face and the midrange gives a more realistic image between the speakers. In the photo, the old version has the blue board. You can see the 5322 op-amp to the right of the filters in the bottom right corner (the black square). There's a very straightforward mod that will really improve the sound: Replace the 5532 IC with a good bi-FET and put 5uf or larger good coupling caps at the output." See how the two versions of the FT-11 sounded compared to other top tuners on
Shootouts page, and read panelist David "A"'s
Ricochet.
You can get it at
Ebay or
Amazon (This website's biggest source of support is when you use the links when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live, thank you)
