Universal Radio Makes the Sangean PR-D5 the "Official" Replacement for the Super Radio

If you look for the GE/RCA Super Radio at Universal Radio,  they will direct you to the Sangean PR-D5. I agree with their assessment of the PR-D5. Costing about $25 more than a Super Radio, the PR-D5 gets slightly better AM/FM reception, has dual speakers (not as big and loud as the Super Radio's but big enough), has digital tuner, presets, and comes in a more compact package. Also I found less background noise on AM with the PR-D5. Still not impressed? The build on the PR-D5 is far more refined, cleaner. In short, it's a far superior radio than the so-called Super Radio. I sold my PR-D5 after eight months because I replaced it with a more expensive Kaito 2100, now rebadged and sold as the C.Crane CSW. The CSW has AM filters in case of overload, bigger speaker, and superior FM sound. But it costs about $140. For $75-80, the PR-D5 is the best radio you can buy. In the $120-150 range, the CSW is the best "pure" radio out there.

Comments

[Ed S.]

Have you seen this Radio Shack radio as a replacement for the Super radio? It's only $50.
http://www.radioshack.com/pwr/product-reviews/Portable-Music/Portable-radios/RadioShack/p/2472950-High-Performance-PLL-Tuning-AM-FM-WX-Radio.html

[Jeff McMahon]

Ed,

I was intrigued by the Radio Shack "super" radio about 2 years ago, but as I read the reviews on Radio Shack it appeared there were a lot of bugs and/or customers who took displeasure with it. But now that I've got this website, I should take a more serious look at it. Thanks for the link.

[Mike W]

This Radio Shack model caught my interest as well, so I checked one out in-store a while back.

Overall, not the greatest build quality but not too bad for the price.

It's an odd design, particularly because of that large tuning knob on the front of the radio. It does not spin about its axis as you might expect, but rather is turned left or right a little and held. When you are near the frequency you want you release the knob and let it snap back. To say that it's inaccurate would be an understatement. I lost interest after trying that tuning knob, but supposedly it gets pretty good AM, and at least it has direct frequency inputs and preset memories.

[Jeff McMahon]

Mike,

Thanks for that. I now officially have no interest in that radio. BTW, now that my Kaito 2100 is going back to the hospital for refund or exchange, my Boston Acoustic Horizon Solo is in the kitchen. What an improvement in sound over the 2100. And I'm getting all the stations with the same clarity. Easily, the BAHS has the highest fidelity of any radio I've ever owned.

[Mike W]

Jeff, between the opinions we post here, I'll wind up getting a BAHS and you'll wind up (grudgingly) getting another PR-D5.

Maybe you'll figure out how to get one of the black PR-D5's.

Then a week later the 750 will be released...

[Jeff McMahon]

Mike,

At dinner my wife asked me why I was smiling in the kitchen and I told her in my usual hyperbolic fashion that the Horizon Solo sounds like a $1,000 stereo. And thank God the Kaito 2100 broke. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the privilege of getting so much use from the Solo in the kitchen. Even my wife loves it. And she agrees the 2100 has a harsh sound, even when it's working correctly, compared to the lush and resplendent Solo speaker. I hope you do get the Solo and I hope you get one that's bug-free.

[Mike W]

"lush and resplendent", and gets good AM reception, eh? My otherwise parsimonious brain is spinning to rationalize getting a BAHS now and then a 750 as early as next month. But then of course the WR-2 has a remote..., this is why I always wait till the mood passes, if I buy one I'll just want the other.

"I hope you get one that's bug-free." See, that kind of caveat appears over and over in several of my recent radio reviews and the others I read online, including yours. Just wait till the Chinese start underpricing our car parts, and things like airplane wings. The cadavers will be popping up like mushrooms.

[Jeff McMahon]

I suspect no radio is safe from bugs. Just keep your receipts. Cadavers popping up like mushrooms. You have a very Hobbesian view of the world, as do I.