Herculodge

Third Look at My Third C.Crane CSW

My first one was the Kaito 2100, which I returned to Universal Radio after 3 weeks when the radio went bonkers, the circuitry not communicating with the speaker so that I could barely get any sound.

My second one, an actual CSW, had birdy noise on 710 AM no matter how I tuned, fine-grained, or rotated the radio. Also, the speaker seemed unusually harsh. So I sold it.

Now I have a third one. I set it up while sick with bronchitis, and didn't pay attention to the fact that I was trying to set the memory presets with the memory toggle button when I should have been pressing the memory set button. I thought I had another lemon. But the lemon was in my brain. 

I keep the third one in the kitchen next to the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo. I can't help but compare these two radios. For pure reception the CSW fares better, not necessarily because the tuner is better but because of the telescopic antenna. But the speaker sound on the Duo is so vastly superior that AM actually sounds better. Music on the CSW is for me mediocre at best and cannot compare to the Duo's brightness. Also the Duo is much better on talk. Voices seem "in the room" and thick while comparatively voices are reedy and distant on the CSW. 

However, the Duo has a FM wire antenna and the CSW has a proper telescopic one. For pure reception, CSW cannot be beat. Also, the CSW is the current "radio of record." This is the radio you have to have, a big table radio with a loud speaker than gets about the best reception in the business. You don't buy this thing for music fidelity. Get the Duo for that. 

Some good news: I don't have the birdy on 710 AM. The bad news is the CSW models have a lot of variation and this speaks poorly about quality control. In any event, three times seems to be a charm. Let's hope this CSW doesn't go bonkers over the next weeks or months. 

Update: The following morning I compared sound again and the Duo's sound is so superior that I doubt I'll be able to have both radios in the kitchen where they'll be side by side. The CSW will probably moved to the workout room where heavy training is better matched to the CSW's austere sound. If inclement weather ever compromises the Duo's reception performance, I'll simply use the CSW as an occasional pinch hitter. 

Rare National Panasonic R-441B Bidding on eBay

Paul has alerted us to this rare R-441B, bidding for $35 on eBay. Very intriguing. 

Manly Watch: Nixon 51-30 Series with the Tide Subdial

Some readers inquired about a manly watch with a tide subdial and all along I had one--the Nixon 51-30, which you should be able to get brand new for about $300 on eBay. It's also available, at a cheaper price, with a rubber strap. 

Sanyo RP-6000 Buy Now for $85

Here is an intriguing, perhaps rare, RP-6000 for $98, when you including shipping. 

Excellent Condition Sony ICF-5900

This ICF-5900 is in excellent condition and bidding for under $80. Probably go to $200 or so, but you never know. 

Bargain of the Day--Magnavox Push-Button AM/FM/PSB Radio for $16

This Magnavox has high-end push-button controls and only about 2 hours of bidding left at $16. Runs on 4 D batteries, a good feature for long power life. Bargain of the day. 

New in Box Panasonic RF-569D for $49

This NIB RF-569 has to be a good deal. Total is $60 with shipping. 

Rare Panasonic RF-1115 in Mint Condition

Here's a very appealing radio, a rare, mint condition RF-1115, called a top performer by Gerald. I've only seen two of these in the last year. Very tempting. 

Greg's Grundig Satellite 750: Conclusion: An Overpriced Radio

 

Greg was kind to share his impressions regarding his GS750 with us:

- Feels and looks inexpensive. I've owned a Satellit 700 and 800, the G5 and other Grundigs, and the 750 feels the cheapest of any I've owned.
- The 750 is much smaller than I expected based on the photos I've seen (and the ads).
- I paid $269 at a store located close to where I live (Michigan).
- If I had to place a "fair value" on the 750, I'd place it at $199 (not $299).
- Performance is in the fair to good range depending on your expectations (good for listening to major broadcasters but fair for anything else).
- My Drake SW8 blows away the 750 but that is to be expected.
- The 750 is in the same league as the Grundig S350 but with a few extra bells and whistles. Both need an external antenna, have fairly good sound and are easy to operate.

If anyone can tell Greg how, if possible, to disable the beep sounds while tuning the GS750, please let us know. Thanks.

Below, is Greg's GS750 with a Palstar external speaker for improved fidelity:

Herculodge on Hiatus Until December 31

Travels will put Herculodge on hiatus until my return December 31, upon which I'll attempt to resume with blog activity. Comments will be open so that blog community can continue with information exchange. Best holiday greetings to all.