The Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor/Tuner, Top 3 ever made! Complete Your Collection

**Please click here to check out our newly launched SkyFi Audio website with additional items for sale**

We get a lot of really neat equipment in the shop - but this is definitely in the top 1% of what we've ever seen.

This particular tuner series came out in 1974 at a time where there was some pretty fierce competition. The Marantz Model 10B had been around for a little bit, and the McIntosh MR78 had just come out a year before, so there were three all-American made tuners that are now considered the best tuners ever made.  Much better than their British counterparts.

A lot had to do with the fact that in the US designers had the additional challenge of designing tuners to work over significant distances to reach stations - unlike the UK which is a more compact area. These 3 tuners were the absolute best of the best, and this Sequerra was the most sophisticated and most expensive by a large margin.

When this tuner came out in 1974 it was almost $2000, which is almost the price of a car in today's money! During its run which ended in the late 90's, it went all the way up to $4,000 in this variation. There were other variations like the reference models that easily exceeded $10,000, but this was considered reasonable/within reason, as this is more of an actual lab instrument than a piece of home audio equipment. And you can tell by its construction, design, parts quality, and presentation. It was really designed for radio stations to analyze their signals and understand their performance limitations, and was quickly adopted by home owners that wanted the absolute best of the best.

Probably the neatest feature is the built in oscilloscope that is hard to miss. It has several different modes - Panoramic, Display Tuning, and Tuner Vector. And there's also a 4th mode titled External Vector which allows you to input external signal.

Writing about these features just doesn't cut it - please check out the video!

This particular model comes in a factory rack mount kit made for this piece which gives it a cool industrial look. It's about 4 rack spaces (4U) should you want to rack mount, but note that it also works perfectly well on its own feet. It does have a low front lip so it will need to overhang on the shelf you are putting it on/or taller feet to clear the shelf.

Overall this piece looks a lot more sophisticated than something from the 1970's, and Sequerra is still making tuners these days in the same design language which tells you how famous this tuner really is.

The stereo audio output uses CAMAC type laboratory grade connectors that are often found on Mark Levinson gear.  Way superior to RCA, smaller and more compact, and as a great design feature they also lock into place via a spring loaded retaining connector. We wish these had taken over the connector world for Stereo systems in the 70's, but unfortunately that just didn't happen.

It's in good overall condition, but not perfect. There are very slight marks on the top lip, and the top cover has a couple of pit marks, but overall pretty presentable. The important things like the glass, buttons, and backlighting, are all really really good. 

It takes about 30 mins to warm up per the included literature (the internal CRT tube needs to warm up and also related circuitry up to speed), and they do recommend this warm up period before enjoying.

Included with this listing: Model No. 1 Tuner, Original Owner's Manual, Original Brochure, Cabinet Mounting Instructions & Template Document, Antenna Connector, CAMAC to RCA Stereo cable/Connector.

Technical Specifications courtesy of radiomuseum.org:

Manufacturer / Brand:  Sequerra Company Inc.; Woodside (NY), USA
Model:  The Sequerra Model 1 FM Tuner - Sequerra Company Inc.;
Material:  Metal case
Year:  1974 
Valves / Tubes:  1: D10-160GH
Semiconductors (the count is only for transistors) 84:  E310 2N4959 2N4250 MPS3639 MJE345 2N3440 2N3638 MJE3055 2N5962 2N3644 2N5639 2N5458 2N3569 2N2222 2N5210 2N5784 MC1496 LM301 MC10115 MC10131 SN74H102 SN74196 SN7490 SN7476 SN7404 SN7493 SN74123 µA741 µA723 MV104 5082-7302
Main principle:  Superhet with RF-stage; ZF/IF 10700 kHz
Tuned circuits:  24 FM circuit(s)
Wave bands Details:  FM Broadcast Band Only
Power type and voltage:  Alternating Current supply (AC) / 120; 240 Volt
Loudspeaker Power Out:  For headphones or amplifier
Dimensions (WHD):  16" x 5.75" x 12.75" / 406 x 146 x 324 mm
Notes: 
A digital-readout FM tuner with multipurpose oscilloscope and built-in Dolby Noise reduction, in metal case.
Optional:  Without "Panoramic"-RF tuning-band display Price: USD 2000,-
Wood-Case:  Walnut USD 125,-; Brazilian rosewood USD 150,-
Original Warranty:  5 years parts and labor (scope and incandescent lamps 1 year)
Magazine Reviews:  Audio Magazine, August 1974, Stereo Review, October 1974, High Fidelity, January 1975, Radio-Electronics, March 1975
Also contains:  58 ICs and 4 HP LED displays. Each transistor/IC etc. listed once only.

Click here for a copy of the original Spec Sheet/Brochure 

Click here for a PDF copy of the Owner's Manual

Click here for a PDF copy of the Schematic

Thanks for looking and please click here if you would like to receive a list of the equipment we receive from time to time.  We promise not to bombard you with junk email.

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PURCHASING FROM SKYFI

This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home. 

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.

If we don’t have the original manufacture's packaging, we use heavy duty double ply corrugated boxes with Instapak expanding foam custom inserts.  In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging.  We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages.  Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box. 

This item is available for pickup in Ridgewood, NJ or Union Square, NYC (with convenient parking in the building).

NJ Residents or anyone picking up without a resale certificate will need to pay NJ Sales Tax.

Use the Buy It Now button and we will cover the PayPal fees.

Thanks for looking and be sure to call or text 201.879.0000 with any questions. 

Please also click here to visit our Audiogon store to see the rest of the items we have for sale.

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WHO WE ARE 

SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high-end audio equipment.  We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, no junk. 

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold.  We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Pro-Ject Audio Systems, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.  If you are local and looking for new equipment from the above-mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area.

PURCHASING GUIDELINES

We do not accept or review any offers that do not go through the official Audiogon system. We have too many items for sale and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please don’t message, email, or text any offers. 

If you do not see a “Make an Offer” button, it means we are not considering any offers on that item.   

PAYMENTS

We prefer working through PayPal which allows you to use a credit card or bank transfer. We do not charge extra for any payment fees if you purchase the item at the asking price.  You can also send us a personal check (which will need to clear before shipping), certified check, money order, or wire transfer. International clients without access to PayPal should use a bank wire transfer. 

If you are picking up an item we do not accept PayPal.  You must pay in person with cash, certified or bank check, or wire transfer.  If you make a PayPal payment and are picking up the item, it will be returned. 

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions.  Simply ask and let us know the exact model, condition, and the accessories that are included (such as the original box, remote, cables, manual, etc.).  We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated surround processors, and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to resell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning, and packaging the incoming equipment.  If you are looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user on your own.

SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken)

We will also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you are in our local market. Just drop us a note for a quote but be sure to include the condition and what is included. 

HOW TO VISIT US                                                                                                        

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood, NJ.  You are welcome to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well-equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you are just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds.  In essence, no tire kickers please.

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text 201.879.0000 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  We can also arrange to install, calibrate, and tune the gear in your listening room if you are local to the area.  This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers.  It is also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.  

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