During my trip in Japan I had chance to buy new Sony ICF-EX5MK2. The cost was $160 US dollars.
It is the most expensive and popular radio receiver in Japan.
It is my inclination to compare reception in different places and this includes the particular place where this radio was designed.
Designed for Japanese market, this radio had absolutely tremendous reception. In Okayama I was able to receive at the same frequency three countries, just from rotating the radio. I received a clear signal from Russia, some English broadcasts and some from Japan! In fact in Japan AM is fully loaded by surrounding neighborhoods. The EX5MK2 is paradise for the DXer making new discoveries.
FM was fantastic. I had tried other receivers and didn’t get same result. I am realizing it is hard to judge any radio from one location. In Vancouver this radio works better than other my receivers but it doesn’t eclipse the by the same huge gap as it does when using it in Japan.
The Sony ICF-EX5MK2 is identical with the Sony ICF-EX5 by performance and design. Here are some differences: No TV stations, superior, extended buttery life and different Japanese SW. Also the new version has the NSB-NIKKEI sticker on the speaker. The EX5MK2 mates with a Sony 6V adapter AC-D4L. It does good job without noise.
I have been using this receiver for two years and it is still my favorite receiver with all the many new AM frequency discoveries.
It is almost inevitable that I will eventually get one. The huge ferrite antenna, combined with selectable sideband synchronous detection for great selectivity, makes this a DX monster. The audio has never gotten rave reviews, so a classic GE Superadio 2, though not as selective, is the way to go if full, rich audio is high on your list. However, as discussed in Gary Debock's review at:
http://www.dxer.ca/latest/54-sony-icf-ex5-reviewed
it is tough to beat for DXing.
Through Taobao agents such as Obook and Chinaclub2u, this can be had brand new for under $200 delivered, while Asian eBay sellers have the older model (non-MK2 model) for around $300.
Posted by: Kevin S | October 03, 2009 at 11:46 AM
The English in this piece sounds like a machine translation. It's so bad it's virtually unintelligible. I suspect the writer is Russian.
The MKII is identical with its predecessor. Here are some differences. What?! Identical means no differences!
A little more detail and a little less market-speak would have been useful!
I like this site and have enjoyed it in the past. Maybe I was reading too quickly!
Posted by: Review Guy | January 07, 2015 at 11:47 AM
Val's first language is Russian. Give him some slack, please. His reviews are always appreciated.
Posted by: herculodge | January 07, 2015 at 07:17 PM