Speaking of the Grundig Satellit 700, I snatched one up a few months ago brand-new (no box) on ebay for about $400. It marginally outperforms my Satellit 500 on FM (oh so slightly more selective) and doesn't have as much variance across the AM spectrum in sensitivity. Also adds the additional feature of a true sync detector as well as a clarifier to fine-tune the BFO in SSB mode - this thing does great in crowded AM and SW bands.
Probably the best radio in its size class that you can get - not sure how it compares in performance to the new mini Tecsuns, but I like its larger size.
Great radio..I owned 2 of them. Eats batteries however like a @#$%^&^%!!
Posted by: Frank | August 20, 2012 at 08:12 PM
It's a shame Grundigs are now Chinese made,German made were far superior construction.
Posted by: Bob Balser | August 21, 2012 at 12:58 AM
$400 for a new S700 is not bad. I got mine for roughly the same price but it is in a much worse condition (in fact, I had to fix a problem on the external power socket which was not mentioned by the seller).
The new mini S700 look-alike is not a Tecsun, but made by another company Jidian which normally makes larger modern tube radio. Here is their website:
http://www.audio01.com/eng/productClassical.htm
The new M7 will offer acceptable, but NOT outstanding reception (a guy from the company said so in order to lower the expectation). What interests me, apart from the media player (functionally much better than the one on Tecsun's PL398mp), is the style which is clearly copied from S500/S700. Indeed, it is said the two knobs on the left side of M7 are for decorative purpose only!
Posted by: OWL | August 21, 2012 at 03:58 AM
Frank - you're right about batteries! I ended up hooking up a 12v rechargeable battery pack via the DC power jack.
Posted by: brandon | August 21, 2012 at 05:10 AM
I love the R602S Solid State Stereo FM/AM Classic Radio listed on the link that OWL posted. It has a magic eye on it. I don't see any place to order them. I looked on Ebay but no luck. OWL do you know how to find and order something like this?
Thanks
Chris in Michigan
Posted by: Chris | August 21, 2012 at 06:16 AM
Who makes what?!?!
Isn't that a Tecsun 1994 at the audio01.com link?
Posted by: Keith Rennie | August 21, 2012 at 06:26 AM
Chris: their products might be sold outside mainland China under other brand names. Maybe you can contact them directly regarding their dealer in north America:
[email protected]
also, just found this website:
http://www.tesslor-usa.com/
and Yahoo news group for V.A.L. radio
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Valradios/
Keith: Spot on! Tecsun 1994 is a re-badged V.A.L R301S. JiDian (V.A.L) made a batch of R301S for Tecsun as the limited edition "Tecsun 1994".
Posted by: OWL | August 21, 2012 at 02:33 PM
OWL,
Thanks for all the information.
Chris in Michigan
Posted by: Chris | August 22, 2012 at 07:36 AM