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| Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner | 
| List Price: $99.95
Buy New: $75.73
You Save: $24.22 (24%)
Buy New/Used
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 73 reviews)
Sales Rank: 391
Category: CE
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
Brand: Sony
Label: Sony
Color: BLACK
Media: Electronics
Autographed: 0
Memorabilia: 0
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 6.4 x 7.1 x 2.4
MPN: XDRF1HD
Model: XDRF1HD
UPC: 027242730304
EAN: 0027242730304
ASIN: B00168Q248
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Sony XDRD1HD HD Tuner November 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is my second HD tuner. My first was a JVC and I'd have to rate this well above the JVC even though I was pleased with the JVC.
First, the sensitivity of the Sony is excellent in SD FM. With the included antenna I am able to receive stations in adjacent markets (80-100 miles away) with no problem. In HD mode, pretty much only local market stations HD signals are received. This shouldn't be a problem for most users. While I haven't counted, yet, there is no shortage of HD broadcasters in my medium size market with a wide range of content, much of it not available through SD broadcasts. As best I can tell most all is commercial free!
Second as for AM, reception was quite poor with the included loop antenna. Even local stations were difficult to pick up and SD quality was poor. The unit did seem to suffer from digital noise generated within the unit itself. Reception could probably benefit from a long wire antenna but it wasn't worth my time and probably not yours either. In the end, I didn't buy the radio for AM reception so not a big deal. I bought it for the extra conent HD FM offers and I am pleased.
Finally, many users complain HD radio does NOT provide CD quality audio. Well in reality it does but it depends on a number of factors including how the broadcasters have their equipment set up and to what equipment the users have. Mine is normally connected to the aux input on a clock radio and the sound quality is good but not great. However when connected to my high end audio system, the sound quality is much better and is quite close to that of most CDs. I'm not an audiophile, yet I can tell the difference when connected to a good amplifier and set of speakers.
In summary, this product is well worth the price for SD FM performance alone. The HD capabilities of this radio are the sweet part of the deal and add greatly to the FM capabiliites of this tuner not to mention the additional content. Don't buy this product for it's AM performance. You will be disapointed. Do buy this product for it's FM and HD capabilities. Its a great deal!
 HD is still a lead balloon even with this tuner. November 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
First AM HD: I live 40 miles from Boston and this tuner, which BTW is supposed to be the most sensitive one on the market right now does not receive ANY AM HD stations with a 400' long wire antenna, with the enclosed loop or a C Crane Twin Coil Ferrite loop even though I'm less than 10 miles from a 5 KW AM IBOC station. WBZ is 40 miles away, a 50 KW AM IBOCer, forget it, receives NO AM HD.
FM is also almost as bad, with JUDICIOUS placement of the enclosed dipole I can get a lock on WGBH a 100KW NPR station about 40 miles away. Worcester HD FM's which I live ten miles from? Forget it, NONE come in, Boston's other HD FMer's? I can get WZLX 100.7 intermittently, which is very annoying, frequent drop outs do not make for pleasant listening.
I do not blame the radio, I have gotten similar results from other HD radios in stores, radios which are supposed to also be high end and very good. So I have bought a tuner for one station, great system huh?
The IBOC (HD) system is a terribly designed lead balloon of a system meant to mislead listeners into thinking they will get CD quality sound from a radio; the sound is better (not CD quality) I will grant them that BUT, what good is it if you can't receive anything? This radio gets loads of analog FM stations but in that mode of course it sounds the same as any other FM tuner.
Bottom line: If you're willing to put up a rooftop (higher the better) FM Yagi antenna with a rotator, you MAY be satisfied and get several IBOC stations, but If you want good sound and loads of stations get an Internet radio, HD isn't going anywhere except to the Salvation Army, expect to find great deals there very soon.
This TUNER works. November 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I live out "on the edge of somewhere" near the Mojave (duh!). It's nice to have a decent tuner sometimes. There are both RDS and HD FM stations out here. Even with decent antennae, though, it's hard to get good signals.
My existing receiver had problems pulling in the stations from Los Angeles. With the same antennae, this little unit pulls in the HD version at night, and does a better job of the "normal" channel during day.
It would be nice if there were pre-amp adjustments with this, I find it has the typical "Sony" over-bassy sound.
Best HD radio offering I've experienced to date November 2, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
AM section is at or above the quality available on other 'tuners' be they HD or conventional analog.
This unit just does what it is supposed to - receive radio signals on AM & FM. Sensitivity and selectivity are good. Definitely not a 'gutless wonder' like others in the HD arena. Too bad there is not an automobile equivalent in the aftermarket HD receivers.
Price versus performance this is a worthwhile purchase.
 Small, but mighty October 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I must admit that I was pretty skeptical about this small tuner from Sony. I hooked it up to the included antennas, connected it to a power amp (Carver) and sat back. This little baby really performs! Mine did not get too hot - as has been reported - but then again I didn't have it plugged in too long. Does as it says it will do. Soon, I'm going to A-B it against the Carver TX-11A, with its charge-coupled detector. Voodoo language aside, the TX-11A was able to pick up some distant stations and clean them up so you're not listening to static. It's my tuner standard. I think digital radio is here to stay, and it's FREE!
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