Quad FM4 FM Tuner

Originally launched in 1982, production of the Quad FM4 Tuner continued until 1995 at which time approximately 37,000 units had been sold. It should come as no surprise therefore that our example has some obvious signs of wear to the top and fascia. However, it is in full working order, after a light service where it had a new battery fitted and then thoroughly tested. It will be packaged appropriately for shipping and it also comes with our usual 3 month warranty.
Quad Say….
At the touch of a button the Quad FM 4 gives access to a variety; breadth and quality of programme material that the most dedicated audiophile would find difficult to equal. Indeed, the emotional satisfaction which can be gained from a well-engineered live broadcast is second only to being at the concert itself. An FM tuner is thus an essential piece of equipment for any serious listener to music.
The FM4, as one might expect from Quad is deceptively simple and original. Good ergonomics and advanced electronics are combined to produce a tuner with exceptional audio performance and ease of handling.
The Quad FM4 is designed as an adjunct to a high quality music system. As such emphasis in design is placed upon obtaining audio performance from a reasonable input signal rather than the ultimate in selectivity. Performance of the FM4 is such that given adequate signal strength, it makes no audible contribution to the incoming programme, and provides absolutely faithful reproduction of the original transmission.
The only controls on the FM4 are an on/off switch, tuning knob and eight pushbuttons which are used to store and recall stations in the tuner’s memory. The tuned frequency is shown in figures and an ingenious bar graph display provides simultaneous information of signal strength and centre tuning. A specially developed dedicated microprocessor makes all decisions about muting and AFC and also controls the tuner’s memory in which are stored the pre-set stations.
Operating the Quad FM4 is simplicity itself. Once programmed it is only necessary to press one of the seven pre-set buttons for the wanted station to be tuned in perfectly.
Programming stations into the tuner’s memory is very straightforward. The desired frequency is located by rotating the tuning knob, which will have conspicuous advantages for anybody who has tried to find a station using pushbuttons to track up and down. The bar graph confirms that the station is correctly tuned and being received with sufficient signal strength to give acceptable signal to noise.
Pressing the appropriate pre-set station button and the manual tune button simultaneously stores the station in the tuner’s memory. And that’s all there is to it. AFC and muting is taken care of automatically. Stereo over-ride, required if the signal is very weak, is achieved by switching the Quad 44 to MON and adjusting the balance control for minimum noise.
Programmes will remain stored in the tuner’s memory almost indefinitely provided that the tuner is used once in a while, and for up to five years even if it is disconnected from the mains.
When switched on the tuner remembers the station last used and automatically reverts to it.
Dimensions: 321 (W) x 64 (H) x 207 (D) mm
Weight: 3 kg

For a review from Gramophone magazine please click here