🚀 go-pugleaf

I have a Recoton MTS converter that uses a "stick-on"probe to pick up
IF leakage from the set. This is then decoded and passed through
several noise reduction stages to a pair of RCA jacks which can be
connected to the line inputs of a stereo system. The unit has a stereo
synthesizer for non-stereo broadcasts plus a circuit to expand the
separation depending upon your speaker placement. I paid $49 for my
unit and feel that this was the way to go when I bought a new TV. A
stereo TV costs about $100 more than a mono version, and to find a set
with audio output jacks is even tuffer (even a stereo TV sounds bad
through its small speakers). The probe is to be taped on the cabinet
of the TV where the signal is the greatest. They (Recoton) will also
supply, for no charge, an internal probe if the external probe does
not work well (some TVs are well shielded). My likes and dislikes
follow: 

For the price you can't go wrong. It is awkward to use two remotes (one
for the TV and one for the stereo) unless you have a universal. The
sound quality is far superior to the original TV sound system. On my
TV, the probe could not get a good signal (you must have a good signal
or much noise will result), so I placed the probe inside the TV
directly on the tuner cover. This works fine, however I could have
ordered the internal probe but did not choose to since I am lazy and
know the hazards involved. Some small problems I have noticed are
"pops" when I change channels (not too bad but could damage speakers
if the volume is high) and sometimes the dynamic range is so great
that it can be annoying. All in all I am happy for the
performance/price ratio and the money I saved on a true stereo TV.

-Bruce
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-Bruce