Val Compares the Panasonic RF-888 with the GE SRI

The Panasonic RF-888C radio was home for many insects. Some  guy brought it  the RF-888C at the flea market. The $20 bargain made me happy, but I had to spend hours making this radio work. Finally this disinfected sterilized shiny aged radio is on my table, side by side with GE Super Radio I. 

I turned on Panasonic and the loud sound filled up room. It didn’t have BASS like the Super Radio I, which is warm and big.

Also, I was disappointed when I couldn’t find 710 KIRO and weak 580
KIDO; 610 kHz some Mexican music station from Seattle. 660 Country music from Calgary and 630 KCIS was mixed with 650 NEWS Vancouver!!!! 

In contrast, the GE SR-I received stations on the frequency without any problems. Maybe it is a luck of ferrite antenna or something else… I don’t know, but the Panasonic has 5 inch antenna and GEs’ much more bigger than that. After 730 kHz Panasonic become very sensitive and some stations are picked up stronger than GE. 

For FM both radio are very sensitive. Both have big antennas and received signals without any problems. 

I won't say which one is the best. Each radio has own benefits and disappointments. Neither of them are perfect but both could be treasure for collection.

Comments

[Huesby]

Hate to say "I told you" but...The SupeRadio is a great performer in AM,FM and has an excellent sound; after owning several Panasonic, Sony and some others radios I can confidently say the SR is on of the best on AM while Panasonic and Sony are just for looks..

[Huesby]

By the way ..When you test your radios please specify the place or site where you are doing the test to give us the readers a better insight of the performance of the radios.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

The Sony ICF-5900 is not just for looks. It's a top performer.

[Mike W.]

Ever since I gave away my old GE SR III there's been an unfilled position in my radio lineup.

It's always good to have an easily toted portable that gets great AM/FM reception and has big sound, but goes easy on the batteries.

I thought my RF-2200 would fill that niche but it has no real handle and is a bit awkward to move around.

I tried an RCA-branded SR III lately, but it was a lemon so I returned it.

The vintage I's and II's on eBay tempt me from time to time, but the ages of those models scare me away. A few of my recent radio purchases have been disappointments, and that's also made me reluctant to bid.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

A mint SRII would be nice. It would cost about $130, not bad. I may get one in the next year, but I'm in no rush.

[Angelo]

Mike: Maybe you should try another new SRIII (RCA/Thompson). It's the same radio as the GE, so maybe you just got a bad one. From what I can tell, quality control has never been good with the SRIII, but if you get a good one, it's a bargain. I see them now, shipping included, under $50.00. As for the test, I have a Sony 5800 and Panasonic 888 and find it hard to believe that the SR is that much better. I understand the sound on the larger GE might be better, but for tuning, sensitivity and especially quality, it's hard to fathom that a 1970's GE (of which I've had a few, though not an SR) can compete with Sony or Panasonic. Likely, that Panny 888 was flogged into oblivion and couldn't be completely rescued.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

I agree with Angelo. I gave mine away but it was a lot of bang for the buck. All of them have inaccurate tuning dials but their performance should be outstanding.

[Mike W.]

Angelo, Jeff, you're talking my book.

I chalked the RCA SR III being a lemon up to unit-to-unit variation rather than the RCA badge, but have a little too much "buyer's remorse" in me to buy again right away.

I also expect a good vintage Sony/Panasonic - and it's difficult not to mention the RF-2200 in this context - to DX the AM broadcast band very well even if it has a speaker smaller than that of a SR. I never thought my old SR III had much background hiss until I compared it to a RF-2200, for example.

Still, you can turn and tweak that SR III and get a remarkable number of listenable signals for fifty bucks.

Jeff, I expected the dial to be off somewhat, but the SR III that I just returned was off to an extent that was unreal. It was "The Radio of Dr. Caligari", if you'll pardon a bad pun.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

I don't know who Dr. Caligari is, but I like that name.

[John]

I always liked the wide-filter setting on the SRIII; it really does wonders for a well-modulated local AM station.

[Val]

I had try many receivers and I always come back to the best one- SONY ICF-EX5.This radio amaze me with AM sensitivity and with no background sound, at list for medium or strong signals. I know somebody maybe say that- it is expensive and nothing particular considering sound and analog reception, but I know, -when other receivers loose signal, EX-5 still keep it. It is all about AM, because for musical FM exist more progressive receiver with real fidelity of sound like Boston Acoustic. I would like to have everything in one unit Excellent FM and strong and sensitive AM, but apparently this receiver still doesn’t exist:(

[Huesby]

The SR3 it's a disgrace to what the SR1 and 2 were, I have all 3 and while SR3 is as sensitive as the others two, it easily overload when it is near transmitter towers, my advice is don't waste your money and time on the SR3, get the others they are not as old as you think.
Another big opportunity missed in Ebay today, SR1 sold for less than 50 bucks...Item number: 230331433034