Review of the Sony ICF-5900W Should Be Coming Soon

Thanks to Paul, I was alerted to a mint condition Sony ICF-5900W offered on eBay. I promptly bought it for $199 plus $20 shipping and eagerly await its arrival for enjoyment and review. Paul must have read about my wanting the 5900 and for that I thank him. For whatever reason, the 5900 has what is for me the ideal look of a radio. Not too big, not too small and offering military ruggedness, the 5900 should be a template for a topnotch radio being made today. Since I doubt that ever will be the case, I decided to "go vintage." 

Comments

[Mike W]

That's great, we'll get feedback about the Sony from someone who just used an RF-2200. Good comparison. I am a little surprised to see the wall wart in the photo, I would have expected it to have an internal power supply. (perhaps it can use either?)

Does this mean you gave up on the GS750?

[jeffrey McMahon]

For now I've given up on the GS750, unless Ed likes his. The GS750 would have to replace the PR-D5 by the bed.

Ed had a 5900 and sold it. I detected a subtle sense of loss when he talked about it. I also love its look. So it's my one vintage to cherish. I promised my wife no more.

[Ed S.]

Yes, I liked my 5900. I worked At Sony NY when I bought it in 1976. It was my first "good" AM/SW/FM radio. I used it for a good 10 years as a bedside radio, and it followed me to California. I wound up selling it on ebay several years ago when 5900's were fetching over $300, and I also had better radios by then. Yes, It does hold a lot of nostalgia for me (and apperently a lot of others, esp in Asia)... I think you'll like it, Jeff. It's a good investment as it's sure to maintain value if it keeps working.
I think though that the Panny RF2200 has a bit more in the way of flexibility and maybe better AM. However, the sound of both is comparable. Like Grouch Marx who said he would never kiss an ugly woman, I wouldn't own a crummy sounding radio!

[Ed S.]

I'm thinking of cancelling my order for the S750. Too many bad reports for early production. Might wait and see too.

[jeffrey McMahon]

Ed, I don't blame you on the GS750. One report said its sensitivity on AM was less than some other pedestrian radios. I wish I could remember which.

Your RF2200 inspired a review that got a lot of hits-web-activity.

The sound really put my Eton S350 to shame.

I was hoping the GS750 would be a return to an RF2200 but I seriously doubt it.

[Paul]

Does anybody here own a Wifi radio, or has done the research on various models available (Sangean, Sony, Acoustic Energy, Aluratek, Grace, ...)?

[gerald johnson]

good luck jeff. i hope this dude is legit in his mint condition description. if he is,, youre gonna love that radio

[jeffrey McMahon]

I'm eager to find out if the radio is mint and if it ships without damage. I'll let you know, hopefully sooner than later.

[kr]

jeff, have you ever looked at buying a grundig satelite 800? they are pretty damn big & manly and perform very well. not sure how big your house is but one will probably eat up 2 square feet. maybe you can get one on e-bay for around 250 or so if lucky. anyhow, yet another radio your legion of internet fans want you to purchase.

[jeffrey McMahon]

I've never felt drawn to the 800 because it's too big and too many reports of bugs. I feel I'm taking a big enough risk ordering a Sony 5900 allegedly "mint" and hoping it arrives undamaged. We'll see.

[John O' Flynn]

I own a Sony 7f 74 DL radio bought in the 70s . Just love the stuff Sony produced at that time .Just bought 5900 on E Bay .Waiting to see it ,guy in the US tells me it's in great condition ,hope so .Sony should do what Roberts are doing in the UK and do retro models .Re introduce the 70s models.

[Angelo]

I regret selling my Japan market 5800----a rare model in the U.S. It was a terrific radio and I didn't end up getting as much for it as I thought I would. Great performer.