With the exception of the Sangean PR-D5 (sounds too muffled), I agree with RadioFlynn's radio recommendations. He writes:
A vintage GE SRII is maybe a good buy for a serious collector, but in my opinion it is too much to pay for sentiment. If you just want to listen to radio, there are lots of good choices. In the countertop-portable category, a CCRadio-EP is chock full o' analogue-sentimentality, and for $80 beats the GE for raw AM sensitivity and selectivity. Or go digital and get a Sangean PRD5 with RDS for just under $70. Want shortwave? A CCRadio-SW is probably also a better all-round radio than the GE and is $140.
I like the sensitivity, selectivity and sound quality of my CCRadio-EP, but it's more finicky to tune than most of my other analog radios. You really have to be a safe cracker to dial it in for the least noise on AM (or for a clear signal on FM). Also, it drifts a bit on both bands. I'd say my Superadio (1st version) is a bit more forgiving regarding the tuning, probably because it has a real tuning capacitor rather than the varactor tuning of the EP.
Posted by: Gary | October 10, 2013 at 05:28 PM
All good choices. The Kaito/Degen 1103 seems to have been upstaged by the newer models that have been released in the last 2 or 3 years, but is still a good choice for a coat-pocket-sized, general coverage portable. Good sensitivity and selectivity on all bands, decent speaker sound. A good compromise between a hefty portable or tabletop, and a very small portable.
Posted by: Keith Beesley | October 11, 2013 at 01:22 AM
Tecsun has just released a MW radio kit:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=686.1000925.1000774.12.PqlkbO&id=35141512406
The housing is the duplicate of 2P3, a classic DIY radio housing designed for Chinese hobbists in 1960s.
The kit is sold for RMB100 (about USD15).
Posted by: owl | October 11, 2013 at 06:27 AM
I should have added my daughter's favorite: her Sony ICF38 - great sound and decent sensitivity for $25!
Posted by: RadioFlynn | October 11, 2013 at 08:43 AM
Gary,I may be corrected,if I am ill informed.As far as I know,EP doesn't have a varactor tuner,but it has a real tuning capacitor.
Posted by: Vimal Oberoi | October 11, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Vimal,
Steve Ratzlaff says the EP is tuned by varactor. See this link:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg50358.html
Posted by: Gary | October 11, 2013 at 11:56 AM
My favorite pocket radios are now the new CC Pocket, or if that's too pricey, the Sony ICF-S10mk2 for about 10 bucks has very good speaker sound and sensitivity.
The Sangean WR2 is still my table radio of choice, working reliably for 5 or 6 years now. These are current models... My absolute favorites are still the vintage GE SRs and Panasonic and Sony models.
Posted by: Ed S. | October 11, 2013 at 01:34 PM
Thanks Gary,for enlightening me on EP.
Posted by: Vimal Oberoi | October 11, 2013 at 08:23 PM
"...beats the GE for raw AM sensitivity and selectivity"
That's a bold statement. I've got to get my hands on one to see for myself. I wouldn't bet on it, but that fine tune tweak knob on the side of it has piqued my interest for sure.
An old DX-400 with an outboard loop was by far the hottest portable set up I've ever used, and it's "ant trim" control had a lot to do with it.
Posted by: Drive-In-Freak | October 12, 2013 at 02:55 PM
Just be aware that there is quite a bit of sample to sample variation with the EP. The first two I had were quite poor on both AM and FM. They turned out to be old stock, which Amazon was still selling. The one I have now is new stock directly from C. Crane, and was tested by them before I received it. It is quite sensitive on AM, but the fine tune knob generally doesn't have a dramatic effect.
Posted by: Gary | October 12, 2013 at 04:16 PM
It may have to do with simple alignment. I'm shocked at how many radios I've had my hands on over the past few years there weren't aligned properly. There's a fairly simple fix for that...if you know what you're doing...but it sure would be nice to get something out of the box that was right.
The folks over there seem to know what they are doing (outside of the display fiasco with the CC+ that in all fairness has been resolved). I'd rather buy from them directly anyway. Sure, they're kind of in the bigtime now, but all and all it's still a mom and pop outfit. Better they get the money directly I think, as I hope they get more of it that way. They do supply good products and in a field that's become rather niche, so I see supporting them and their efforts as being a very good thing...especially in this day and age.
Posted by: Drive-In-Freak | October 12, 2013 at 06:09 PM
Oh...and...
Thank you for the head's up.
Posted by: Drive-In-Freak | October 12, 2013 at 06:11 PM
I just ordered one from REI with a sale coupon. Are they serial numbered or coded so as to tell new stock/ old stock? And does alignment void warranty by breaking a magic seal?
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Chris,
From the serial number C. Crane can tell you if it's new stock or old stock.
The old stock units I received from Amazon had serial numbers like G1030XXXX. The new stock unit from mid-2012 has a serial number like G1050XXXX.
There is a seal over one of the case back screws, so opening it up probably does void the warranty.
Posted by: Gary | October 17, 2013 at 01:01 PM
This site shows how to disassemble the EP, as well as the alignment points.
http://earmark.net/gesr/ccep.htm
Posted by: Gary | October 17, 2013 at 01:12 PM