>I'd like to see is some sort of easier way to switch to the tuner without using the remote

How about "press and hold knob" until it switches (beyond the menu..)?

I think I can add that, although it won't be able to "know" whether or not the tuner is active, so it may require a couple of such long presses to get the tuner (I'll have it toggle between tuner and player on alternate presses).

??