Comparing the Vintage Panasonic RF-2200 with the C.Crane CSW/Kaito 2100

Ed was kind enough to provide the following comparison between his Kaito 2100 (C.Crane CSW) and his recently acquired Panasonic RF-2200:

The 2200's reputation rests on its AM-DX abilities, and it is at least the equal of the Kaito 2100 on AM. It may be better in some respects. The RF2200 seems to have less background noise, a quieter background. though. It really does the job of pulling in AM. I like analog tuning---you can tune off-center to get the sound you like. (every AM station has a sideband on each side of it's main "carrier" frequency, the Upper and Lower side band)  There is an very effective RF Gain control so I can keep stronger stations like KNX from bleeding through.

FM seems almost as good as the Kaito, but it's not in stereo, of course. The antenna pins the meter on all stations of interest, so it's long enough for FM, anyway, maybe not enough for SW.

The speaker is 4" and not as good sounding as the Kaito/CCR on music, but nice on voice.

 

Ed was kind enough to provide the following comparison between his Kaito 2100 (C.Crane CSW) and his recently acquired Panasonic RF-2200:

The 2200's reputation rests on its AM-DX abilities, and it is at least the equal of the Kaito 2100 on AM. It may be better in some respects. The RF2200 seems to have less background noise, a quieter background. though. It really does the job of pulling in AM. I like analog tuning---you can tune off-center to get the sound you like. (every AM station has a sideband on each side of it's main "carrier" frequency, the Upper and Lower side band)  There is an very effective RF Gain control so I can keep stronger stations like KNX from bleeding through.

FM seems almost as good as the Kaito, but it's not in stereo, of course. The antenna pins the meter on all stations of interest, so it's long enough for FM, anyway, maybe not enough for SW.

The speaker is 4" and not as good sounding as the Kaito/CCR on music, but nice on voice.

 

Comments

[Angelo]

Ed's comments point to two things:
1) A much older high quality radio by Panasonic more than holds its own against newer technology. Score one for the classics.
2) But just as interestingly, this was by no means a blow-out---so for people like me, who automatically gravitate toward vintage radios (in large part for their performnce), the Kaito deserves a look.
I'm wondering though---when the Kaito/CCrane is as old as this 2200, will it hold up as well?

[Ken K.]

Good report, thanks. I have the 2 radios and my results are about the same as yours. They are very close on AM Sensitivity.

I hardly ever use the 2200 for anything but AM DXing, it's a little too bulky to lug around and frankly the FM/SW antenna is not that easy raise and lower..I'm always afraid I'm going to wind up bending it. The 2100 is usually my go-to radio for FM/SW portability.

Of course I like the digital tuning on the Kaito, but the RF2200 analog dial is about the most accurate dial on any analog radio I own. I almost always know exactly what frequency I'm on.

PS: In spite of Herc's opinion, I think the sound on the 2100 is pretty damn good, especially on FM. Must be a difference in hearing preferences.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Ken, I have been too harsh on the the 2100. I should not compare its sound to the Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo and Duo. That's apples and oranges. The 2100 is fine on FM, less so on AM.