After several years of good work, the Sangean WR-2 was giving me hiss on KPCC for several days. I replaced it with a CCRadio Plus. I got hiss on KPCC and KJAZZ. So I put on my Eton E5. I assumed I'd get the same sterling reception as my Kaito 1103, but I was wrong. Static and hiss on same stations.
Then I went into the garage and pulled out my fried (put a cell phone adapter into it by mistake several months ago, dummy) CCRadio-SW stored in a plastic bin after I ruined the battery charger. I plugged it in and no static on any stations. No comparison.
I don't like the CCRadio-SW's large footprint or the lousy ergonomics (try toggling that thing in the dark of night), but at the end of the day I chose reception over everything else.
Final Thoughts:
For the last week or so, KPCC has been give trouble to all my radios with the exception of the CCRadio-SW, a testament to its FM strength.
Thanks for the that. I just pulled the trigger on the CCRadio-SW over the Sangean WR-2. Your post just solidified my choice.
Posted by: M Gordon | August 16, 2012 at 06:14 PM
One problem with the WR-2 is that its default mode in FM is stereo, not mono. You can manually switch to mono on weak signals to reduce noise, but every time you change stations you must manually switch to mono again. And the presets don't remember the mono/stereo mode, but they should.
Posted by: Gary | August 16, 2012 at 06:39 PM
Apples and oranges. The WR-2 offers more luxury, easier ergonomics, but sometimes doesn't pull those hard to get FM stations. The CC-SW can be a rough ride next to the bed but has superior FM.
Posted by: herculodge | August 16, 2012 at 07:25 PM