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

(Re-post)

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.

Update:

Both Ed and I sold our CSW/Katio 2100 radios and neither of us miss them. Harsh sound and propensity for breaking down (shoddy build) makes it a frustrating radio in spite of powerhouse FM performance. 

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

Comments

[Tim]

For the brief six months or so that my CCRadioSW worked, I thought it was an excellent radio. Its main flaw for me was the lack of SSB, although this can be compensated for with a separately purchased SSB device (which wasn't in stock while I had my CCRSW). But the build of the radio obviously lacked all quality control, and after breaking down a second time I indignantly deposited it in a dumpster.

I quite liked the large rotary dial on the front, as well as the easily readable window display. The design of the very limited memory system, though, was poor, and all the buttons took two or three presses before they registered. The reception on all three bands seemed excellent, and I really liked the tone of the speaker, even for classical music at a generous volume.

The CCRSW is one example of a mystery that's common in the radio world: a radio that's soooooo close to being a fine unit, but that has serious and irredeemable flaws. So close and yet so far. Would it not have behovved its maker to put a few extra bucks into the design and quality control, so as to get it right and offer a superb product that lasts for years to come.