Mini system w good tuner?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

I have a small space into which I want to put a decent stereo. I bought a
Sony "bookshelf" system, recommended by both the clerk and a customer who
was there to buy a portable system. It fits and it sounds good (to my
somewhat ruined ears, at least). But, the tuner is terrible. I went back
to the store, where they sold me a powered antenna. It's better, but still
not as good as it should be.

I have a 10-year-old boom box. When I put it near the same place, it works
perfectly, with nothing but whatever it has for an internal antenna.

The guy at the store says all the mini systems have more or less the same
tuner (on a chip?). He thinks the only possible upgrade is a "real" stereo
tuner, but I don't have the space.

Any suggestions?

Dick.'