After 3 Weeks, My Kaito 2100 Goes on the Fritz

Now sold as the C.Crane CSW for $139, the Kaito 2100 (purchased at Universal Radio for $99), has gone bad on me. This morning there was no problem as I ate breakfast. But at lunch, I turned on the Kaito 2100 and the speaker sound was seriously compromised--warbled, muddy, muted. I fiddled with the buttons. Nothing happened. I worried that the speaker was blown out, but this didn't make sense because I never pushed the volume at high levels. I did a headphone check and the same abysmal muddy sound was evident.

Luckily, I still have the original packing box with the packing slip. I e-mailed Universal Radio, but don't know when I'll hear from them. I'll probably call them on Monday and see if I can exchange the now discontinued Kaito for the aforementioned CSW. The bummer is that I'll have to cough up an extra 40 dollars for the replacement.

I'll keep you posted.

Comments

[Tom Welch]

Call Universal Radio tomorrow!

[Jeff McMahon]

Tom, I'm calling them. I hope to get through. 30 days is coming soon. I want a full exchange. I'll let you know what happens.

[Mike W]

Bummer, Jeff, but my experiences with Universal were always good, so I expect they'll exchange it if they can (I know it's listed as "discontinued" on their site) or refund your money if they can't.

Man, do these newer Chinese-made radios have quality control issues. I was just reading a newsgroup post by someone making the point that Sangean (Taiwan) radios never seem to last for the long haul, and I suspect he's right. CCradios were priced at $160 and yet all you'd read about in user reviews were burned out displays, failing control buttons, etc. I junked own CCRadio last year. The PR-D5 seems like it will last somewhat longer, but we'll see. You can get on eBay and find lots of older radios like Grundig Satellits and Panasonic RF-2200's made decades ago still in good working order. I don't think there will be too many Tecsun/Redsun/Kaito 2100's being traded 20 years from now, regardless of whether there are still analog signals to catch.

[Jeff McMahon]

Mike,

Ed explained to me that radio turn-around is so quick that the manufacturers don't place a premium on quality; they want to get new models out as quickly as possible. I bought my mother a PR-D5 for Mother's Day and she loves it. We'll see how long it lasts for her.

My Grundig G4000 seems of high quality. It's now discontinued. Too bad. It's a rather large portable radio that lies prone on its stand. All the new portables are too tiny for my tastes. I think the sound quality of the G4000 is the best of the portables. The buttons depress in a soft, easy fashion, unlike any other radio I've ever owned. I wish Tecsun would make another radio like it.

I'll let you know what happens with Universal Radio.

[Tom Welch]

For some reason, the CCradio radios have had their problems with the display and top buttons, usually after a year or so of use. But most of Sangean radios have been problem free with the exception of the CCradio.

If you call Sangean directly, and ask for technical support, they're pretty good at working with you, that's been my experience over the years. Sangean owns its own factories in China, as opposed to contracting out production as Eton does.

Eton has pretty good service too.

BTW, on a German website yesterday, the retailer claimed the new Sangean PR D7 is a scaled down version of the Sonido / PR D4.

[Jeff McMahon]

Thanks, Tom. I forget: Is the PR-D4 available in America or an overseas model?

[Tom Welch]

The PR D4 is not available in North America. However, the Sonido sold by CCrane is the North American version of the PR D4 with the addition of the NOAA band and sightly different LCD display, otherwise the size and capabilities are the same.

For example, with the PR D4, both the frequency and time are displayed, much like the PR D7 is going to be.

[Jeff McMahon]

Tom, am I safe in assuming the PR-D5 has the best AM of the Sangean lineup?

[Tom Welch]

Yes, the PR D5 is the best AM DX radio in the Sangean line so far. On eHam there's been several positive reviews and DXing.CA is doing a review in the future.

I noticed that the initial reviews of the Grundig G6 have been very mixed. The Grundig has probably sold out their 1st G6 production. Folks that have a trouble-free G6 appear to love the small size of their little rig.

[Jerry]

Jeff...
You can actually purchase another KA 2100 at the Kaito USA website (www.kaitousa.com). However, price is $129.00 plus shipping. But you can also purchase the CCRadio-SW on Amazon for $139, with free shipping (saves $10 from buying directly from C.Crane).

There has been great debate regarding the ferrite AM antenna in these units. C.Crane markets their "Twin Coil Ferrite AM Antenna" in the CCRadio-SW version. I asked them about it and they said a coil is wrapped at both ends of the ferrite (don't ask me how that improves performance, I'm not an engineer).

The 2008 "Passport to World Band Radio" confirmed and tested the Twin Coil Ferrite in the CCRadio-SW and Redsun RP-2100 models, and assumed it was also in the KA-2100 (thus, is why all of these radios have such great performance). However, I spoke with a sales rep at Kaito USA, and he told me that the KA-2100 doesn't have the Twin Coil Ferrite.

The CCRadio-SW is manufactured in China with all of the other versions. It's possible all models have the Twin Coil Ferrite antenna, but only C.Crane "markets and merchandises" it, and the Kaito USA rep may not know about it. It's also possible that C.Crane has an exclusive license to market the Twin Coil Ferrite, and it could be in all of the radios, but the other brands can't market it.

Before you send it back, it would be interesting if you cracked it open and let us know what you saw.

I don't have one of these models (yet). My birthday is coming up and it's at the top of my list.

Jerry

Before you send it back,

[Jeff McMahon]

Jerry,

Ed explained that the twin-coil is a gimmick, a 1-cent piece of wire twisted around the antenna. He said it's worthless but makes good marketing. I believe him.

I want this Kaito out of my life. If I were a techie, I'd open it, but since I'm not, I'm sending it back to Universal. I'll let you know what Universal says.

[Jeff McMahon]

Tom,

I noticed a few glitches in the G6. Also on eHam I notice most reviews of the Eton E5/G5 mention all sorts of bugs. I'm scared to get one now.

[Ed S.]

I don't remember saying it was "worthless" but if twin coils were so great all AM radios would use it. Let's just say its effect is moot. Try this: You can improve the recepetion of any pocket-size transistor radio by sliding a penny over the top (where the ferrite bar is) until you hear the tuned-in station get louder. Tweaking the coil is not a new thing; the "tickler coil" comes from the earliest days of radio.

[Jeff McMahon]

Ed, I stand corrected. With the Kaito 2100 ready to be sent back to Universal, I'm using the Boston Horizon Solo in the kitchen. It's getting every station the 2100 does with a far crisper, refined speaker.

BTW, you are right about the lawn furniture. I quoted you to make my case and my wife Carrie has put her chimerical search on the back burner.

Jeff

[doby14]

Jeff, so sorry to hear about the Kaito 2100 going bad on you. You had grown to love it in a very short time, as I did.

I hope your replacement performs the way it should.