Amazon has reduced the Sangean PR-D8 another $10, just a few weeks after its release, so you can now buy one for $125.
I've not read any reviews yet. I'm hearing some buyer-doubt about this one with the usual fears: bugs and possible interference from the recording function on AM and FM reception.
These fears could be ungrounded, but still no word on the PR-D8's function and build quality.
My take is that the PR-D8 represents a soon-to-be obsolete version of recording radio. I see radio following the DVR function on TVs. It's just a matter of time.
It is the the PR-D8's MP3 functionality that's an issue given all radios that have been released so far.
From the photos on the CCrane site, the build quality looks superb.
It does not look like Amazon is stocking this radio choosing instead to have a vendor sell this radio on its site.
I noticed last night that the PR-D7 continues to get rave reviews on Amazon.
Posted by: Tom Welch | November 19, 2009 at 08:48 AM
I also think that the price point is high, therefore, ensuring a high rate of return for this radio.
In retail, as a general rule, the higher the price, the higher rate of returns the product will generate.
IMHO, the Sangean PR-D5 is probably the best value in the Sangean portable radio lineup.
Posted by: Tom Welch | November 19, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Maybe the problem is Sangean doesn't include a memory card with the radio (another trip to the store and/or added expense), and the MP3 recorder can only record at a maximum of 196kbps.
I became less interested when I learned about the 196kbps max rate.
Posted by: Moogbass | November 19, 2009 at 09:14 AM
The 196kbps max rate is a turn off!
Posted by: Tom Welch | November 19, 2009 at 09:19 AM
You guys have talked me out of it. Now it has no intrigue factor. Thanks.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | November 19, 2009 at 09:45 AM
I am worried that SANGEAN PR D9 will never materialize, which is too bad.
Posted by: Ante | November 19, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Just out of curiosity, why is 192kpbs not enough? FM has such lousy sound quality compared to the original sound file that I wouldn't think it was an issue. Apple, Real, Microsoft, and eMusic all made good money selling 128kbps songs just a few years ago, and for casual listening, they were fine. Put a pair of good Grado's on, and they sounded pretty bad, but the same goes for FM. 192kbps should be more than enough to capture all the information in an FM broadcast.
Also, it still shows as $158 for me.
Posted by: matt | November 19, 2009 at 11:11 AM
The issue I have with 192kpbs is that the Sangean has a "line-in" jack. I could plug in a CD player, turntable, or other high quality source and record on the Sangean. In this case, I would want better than 192kpbs. Also, some FM stations that care about their sound quality are very careful with equalization and compression. I would also want better than 192kpbs here too. I am one of those people that find less than 256kpbs irritating after a while.
Of course this is all subjective...
Posted by: Moogbass | November 19, 2009 at 12:19 PM
...I should also mention a local college station 91.7 WMSE has FANTASTIC sound quality. One just has to wait until the program schedule switches to something they like...
Posted by: Moogbass | November 19, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I routinely record music at 192 khz and I can vouch for its good quality, sound and size of the file produced with this bitrate, but I also think that this radio should have a maximum price of 99 Dls. without any included memory.
Posted by: Huesby | November 19, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I'd pay no more than $75 for the PR-D8.
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | November 19, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Ante, I wouldn't start worrying just yet about the PR-D9 turning out to be vaporware. I expect both the PR-D9 and the ATS-909 replacement to come out between now and the end of 2010. After all, this is Sangean we're talking about, not one of those murky, ambiguously-named mainlnd (can I still say 'Red Chinese'?) companies.
In fact, I'd like to see the Red Chinese manufacturers name their radios the way they used to name locomotives and other products, with names like "The East is Red Number 247."
Posted by: Mike W | November 19, 2009 at 05:15 PM
I'm hopeful and fairly confident the PR-D9 will be released in 2010.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | November 19, 2009 at 05:42 PM
I'm not so hopeful the Sangean PR-D9 will ever reach the market.
In the late 1990s, a German website had pictures of a new Sangean ATS-626 designed to be a replacement for the Sangean ATS-606. Well, we're still waiting for the ATS-626.
BTW, I read recently that Sangean has manufactured over 500 different radio models.
Posted by: Tom Welch | November 19, 2009 at 06:07 PM
I never knew that about the ATS-626, Tom, but I suppose I didn't start paying any attention to Sangean till a few years ago.
Well, the fact that Sangean's website mentions the PR-D9 as "coming soon" still makes me think it will show up at some point.
No mention of the ATS-909 replacement, however - maybe that one is dicey.
Posted by: Mike W | November 19, 2009 at 07:05 PM