Comparing the Panasonic RF-2200's AM Reception with Today's Top Radios

Mike W offers some good insights on the superior AM reception of his Panasonic RF-2200, especially in regard to today's top radios:

My observation has been that the RF-2200 is a better receiver on MW (AM) & SW than the CSW/S350DL (and even the CCRadio/PR-D5 on MW) before the signal even gets to the audio stage. Much less background hiss and squealing.

What never ceases to amaze me is how subjective users' evalution of radio performance can be. People rave about MW on the S350DL/CSW/RP2100 but they struck me as roughly equal to each other on MW, better than average but nothing special. The three share many components. The CSW apparently has the same MW antenna as the 2100 (and I think the 350 as well) in spite of being marketed as have a special "twin coil ferrite" antenna.

The CCRadio and the PR-D5 share some components, have similar MW performance, and it seems to me, are clearly better on MW than the other three.

The modern sets seem to generally do better on FM than they do on AM. I can't see recommending an RF-2200 primarily on the basis of FM performance, although it's good on that band as well. It's just no boombox, it's more for MW/SW voice programming.

Perhaps I am going out on a limb here by commenting on a radio that has not been released yet, but I was also waiting to buy a Redsun RP3000/3100 last year, but I don't have especially high expectations for it as a MW receiver. It seems to me that the improvements over the 2100 will (mostly) help on SW. Single sideband (and sync detection if the high-end model ever gets released) can help on some MW signals, but I expect the 3000/3100 to be essentially the same MW receiver as the 2100.

Mike W offers some good insights on the superior AM reception of his Panasonic RF-2200, especially in regard to today's top radios:

My observation has been that the RF-2200 is a better receiver on MW (AM) & SW than the CSW/S350DL (and even the CCRadio/PR-D5 on MW) before the signal even gets to the audio stage. Much less background hiss and squealing.

What never ceases to amaze me is how subjective users' evalution of radio performance can be. People rave about MW on the S350DL/CSW/RP2100 but they struck me as roughly equal to each other on MW, better than average but nothing special. The three share many components. The CSW apparently has the same MW antenna as the 2100 (and I think the 350 as well) in spite of being marketed as have a special "twin coil ferrite" antenna.

The CCRadio and the PR-D5 share some components, have similar MW performance, and it seems to me, are clearly better on MW than the other three.

The modern sets seem to generally do better on FM than they do on AM. I can't see recommending an RF-2200 primarily on the basis of FM performance, although it's good on that band as well. It's just no boombox, it's more for MW/SW voice programming.

Perhaps I am going out on a limb here by commenting on a radio that has not been released yet, but I was also waiting to buy a Redsun RP3000/3100 last year, but I don't have especially high expectations for it as a MW receiver. It seems to me that the improvements over the 2100 will (mostly) help on SW. Single sideband (and sync detection if the high-end model ever gets released) can help on some MW signals, but I expect the 3000/3100 to be essentially the same MW receiver as the 2100.

Comments

[Paul]

I wonder if anybody here knows about the Panasonic RF-1350 and if it performs well or not ... Ed?

[jeffrey McMahon]

I just saw a photo on the Internet. I've never tested one, but I'd bet $100 it's a top performer.

[Paul]

I have a chance to buy one at $40, hence the question. I will wait a few more hours in the hope of hearing something from others ...

[jeffrey McMahon]

I'd buy it. But that's just me.

[Ed]

Dont know about it

[Paul]

I bought it. Will let everybody know how it is, when I get it.

[jeffrey McMahon]

Look forward to your impressions for posting.

[Steve Duncan]

Am I crazy, or was this same post posted on 8/17?

[jeffrey McMahon]

Steve,

Forgive me for my recycling. Or rather, as they say in the TV industry, my "encore" posting.