MARANTZ ST-530 Tuner

Hi everyone, I do not have big experience with tuners, until a week ago I acquired only two, Harman Kardon hk-715 and Marantz ST-400. HK-715 was a bit low on sensitivity so I got Marantz ST-400 which has improved signal reception, usable sensitivity 1.7 uV over 1.9 for HK715. So I was looking for something with even more sensitivity and came across Marantz ST-530 with claimed sensitivity of 0.7 uV. Sounds very good ( actually excellent). So I connected it to system and immediately I noticed difference to the other two: low end was anemic, middle- to- high a bit too pronounced. Is that characteristic of the tuner, or a fault ? As it was higher in the line to ST-400 I was expecting better result from its' predecessor. Any opinion, anyone has experience with this particular tuner, or Marantz tuners in general? Any suggestion on a GOOD SOUNDING mid priced second hand tuner?
 
Australia uses 50uS pre-emphasis on FM broadcasts. It's for high frequency noise reduction.
Note that switching an FM station to mono can be much more quiet, if the stereo signal is marginal.

FM tuners all sound different, and not just because of price, so compare them side by side with the same antenna.
Burn them in for a few hours first.
 
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