For the newbie who needs good performance and good speaker sound for his house, I have four radio picks, three that I own and one recommended on SWLing Post.
One. Field Radio: CCrane-SW Radio, about $140 on Amazon. Big speaker sound, strong AM/FM reception. Not the best preset system in the world.
Two. Table or kitchen radio: CCrane 2E Radio, about $160 on Amazon. Decent speaker sound, strong AM/FM reception. Easy-to-use presets.
Three. Bedside clock radio: Sangean WR-2, way up in price because looking at the Sangean USA site today it's no longer being made apparently. So it's old new stock. I love the FM, the heavy presence on the table (doesn't tip over) and the headphone jack in the front.
Four. Reviewed thoroughly on SWLing Post, the Tecsun PL-880 looks like it will be my next radio, a portable with by all accounts rich speaker sound and excellent AM/FM reception. New firmware versions are sold by Anon on eBay who includes an AC adapter in the package.
My understanding is that the PL-880 AC adapter is a switching power supply, which ruins AM reception. I think it's mainly for charging the Li-Ion battery rather than powering the radio during use.
One other thing: protected Li-Ion batteries are available. Most likely the PL-880 comes with a non-protected Li-Ion 18650 battery. The latter are prone to catching fire or exploding. The protected cells have circuitry inside to make them safer.
Posted by: Gary | September 12, 2014 at 01:44 PM
Gary,
Pablo warned me that AM is degraded while AC power supply is in use. FM is okay though.
Posted by: herculodge | September 12, 2014 at 01:48 PM
For the record, I purchased my CCrane 2E and SW out of pocket from Amazon. No discounts, no privileges.
Posted by: herculodge | September 12, 2014 at 07:45 PM
I just picked up a CCRadio Plus on Craigslist for $20, works perfect and the LCD was previously upgraded. Love the radio! Purchased a CC Pocket for at work and travel, also a great buy at $30 on eBay. I've sold off my Sonys and I'm happy with more robust and well thought out and great performing digital radios.
As an aside, I'm also thinking about selling my Seikos (5 Sport and 5 Superior) after I out a new battery in a 10 year old Nike Oregon ABC-sensor watch. I wear that all the time and am tempted to ask for an Apple Watch for Christmas/birthday (I'm still a kid at 32)! I've been happy with my 3rd iPhone after 7 years and still use it for music vs an old ipod that is permanently connected to my Yamaha stereo (RS-700).
Posted by: JMaff | September 12, 2014 at 08:55 PM