General Asylum: REVIEW: Magnum Dynalab ST-2 Tuner by SmokeTest

Model:	ST-2
Category:	Tuner
Suggested Retail Price:	$99
Description:	Vertival, Omnidirectional 1/2 Wave FM Antenna
Manufacturer URL:	Magnum Dynalab
Manufacturer URL:	Magnum Dynalab

Review by SmokeTest ( A ) on August 27, 2002 at 16:19:38
IP Address: 66.81.166.35

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for the ST-2

After moving my FM reception was horrible. Less than 5 stations came in with any quality, and nothing on the left of the dial. I replaced the basic T-shaped dipole with the Magnum Dynalab ST-2. I plugged it in an leaned it against the wall without any concern for placement. It immediately brought in over 20 stations, many with very nice sound quality. Very nice.
The antenna is about a meter long whip, like a car antenna. A small cannester base holds a loading coil. It comes with a few meters of 75 ohm coaxial cable and a mounting bracket. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and is less obtrusive than the dipole. Mine works good enough I'll just leave it indoors.
Years ago I had a Terk that if larger could be mistaken for a skyscraper in San Francisco. It barely made any difference. If you're thinking going beyond a cheap diploe, skip up to this. I would highly recommend this antenna unless you need a motorized antenna.

Product Weakness: None I can think of.
Product Strengths: Perfomance, unobtrusive, indoor-outdoor use.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Golden Tube SE-40
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Golden Tube SEP-1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	20 year old NAD tuner
Speakers:	Linnaeum 10
Cables/Interconnects:	Music meter II, Mapleshade, others
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Yes, anything
Room Size (LxWxH):	18' x 8' x 11'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Curved ceiling, foam bass traps
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Immediate, then an hour
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None I can think of.
Product Strengths:	Perfomance, unobtrusive, indoor-outdoor use.