5 C Crane CCR-2 Reviews on One Post

Review Number #1: Thanks, Paul, for this link:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ultralightdx/message/3679

CCradio 2 Review by Richard Berler

Despite CCrane's claims on the web, catalog, and over the phone, the CCradio 2, with it's built in "twin coil", does not offer an increase in sensitivity or selectivity over the SANGEAN PR-D5. They seem almost identical in both measures with the SANGEAN actually getting a slight nod in sensitivity! I had been expecting a slight increase in sensitivity for the CCrane 2. In fact, at night, it, along with the SANGEAN have the same quirk in that 1520 KOKC out of Oklahoma City (I'm in Laredo, TX) suffers from mixing products related to locals on 1490 and 1550 while my other radios hear no such products. They must be VERY similar in design. Although the earlier CCrane versions may have been even less selective, locals make it increasingly difficult to hear stations on adjacent frequencies as one tunes in to higher frequencies, especially once one is above about 1100 KHz. Above 1100 KHz, day and night, it is difficult if not impossible to tune stations 10 KHz away from a local, even when tuning 1 or 2 KHz further off frequency (although nighttime is better in that respect with stations operating at lower power). This replicates my experience with the SANGEAN. Both radios cannot hear 1350 KHz in listenable fashion due to locals on 1340 and 1370. The SONY ICF-S5W does just fine with 1350. The 1490 local at night renders 1480 and 1500 pretty much undoable on the CCrane 2 and SANGEAN; the SONY hears 1480 &1500 with very little splatter for most of the 360 degree sweep by comparison. During the day, locals on 1300, 1490, and 1550 are heard over much of the sweep 20 KHz away from the local on both the CCrane 2 and SANGEAN PR-D5. The SONY ICF-S5W has no trace of the locals on any part of the 360 degree sweep 20 KHz away from the locals. Unless one was in need of the 2M ham band (did not listen to that band), or the weather band, the SANGEAN is much more handy in weight and size than the CCrane 2, seems to be a hair better sensitivitywise, and costs $60 less (if purcahsed from CCrane). The SONY ICF-S5W, with it's analog 1980 vintage technology, remains an outstanding stock radio to enjoy. As far as sensitivity goes between the SANGEAN and SONY, it is pretty much a draw.

I do wonder what type of filter the GRUNDIG 6 has. It is excellent in hearing clean signals 10 KHz from my locals, even when peaked with a TERK. Why can't this be accomplished on a larger platform such as the SANGEAN PR-D5 or CCrane 2?

All in all, a disappointment from the CCrane description...I'm sending it back.

Richard Berler

More CCRadio-2 Reviews:

Review #2: Jeff's One-Week Updated Review

Review #3: Barry's Review

Reviews #4 and #5 on RadioIntel. 

Comments

[Gary]

I understand that the sound of the CCR-2 is muffled on AM compared to the CCR-SW and SR III. How is the sound on FM compared to these two radios? Does the CCR-2 have good bass and treble response on FM?

[herculodge]

Gary, there is no muffled sound at all on the CCR-2. It's the CCR-SW that offers harsh, mediocre AM, not even close to the great AM on the CCR-2. The CCR-2 has above average FM performance but it's not an FM powerhouse like the SR II or the CCR-SW or the Eton/Grundig S350.

The SR III is not a powerhouse either but delivers above average FM reception.

[Gary]

So, does the CCR-2 have good, full-range sound on FM, with solid bass and crisp treble? One of the reviews you posted said the speaker is not good for music, which is why I'm asking.

I find the CCR-SW sounds very good for music on FM. I don't notice the harshness on AM. Maybe it's sample-to-sample variation.

[herculodge]

Gary, sound is so subjective, I'm reluctant to offer absolutes on radio sound. I hated the sound of my CCR-SW and sold it (again) and find that music sound on the CCR-2 more than adequate but lacking the warmth and richness of the BA Horizon Solo and Duo. For music listening, get a Solo or Duo. For AM listening and talk radio in general, get a CCR-2. There is no one-size-fits-all radio.