Pete KE9OA schrieb:

As far as analog vs. digital tuning, there isn't any difference in the
perceived sound unless the digital synthesizer has a high amount of phase
noise. Fortunately, the later versions of PLL have improved over past
designs. Exceptions are the synthesizers used in some of the premium
receivers such as the Collins 651S-1, HF2050, HF8050, etc.

Interestingly, the KWM-1 transceiver, not exactly cheap in its day
either, has the reputation of being rather noisy.

The larger speakers, along with the audio chain help the sound somewhat, but
if you really want to hear good portable sound, try to get ahold of one of
the older made in Germany Grundig portables, such as the Satellit 210
(TR6005).

That would be a "Transistor 6001". The 5000 was the Sat 205, the 6000
the 208.

A dual-conversion unit on the SW bands, with 3-gang tuning on all
ranges, including MW/LW. In direct comparison with a Sony 2010 on the MW
band, the Grundig unit was better, with none of the 2nd order IM products
that the '2010 had.

Not too surprising considering the '2010 does not have front-end tuning.
The dynamic range even of a balanced FET mixer is finite after all.

Of course, no Sync detection, no digital readout, but
the best portable sound. Some of the upper end Nordmende and Philips units
were also good. Nobody makes portables the way the Germans did in the 60s
and 70s. A lost art.

If I ever get into the position to do something about the audio quality
issue, I'll see what I can do. It's a shame when a newfangled Sony
ICF-M60SRDS cannot keep up with a 30 year old Grundig Signal 700 sound
wise and is somewhat but not dramatically better than a Philips D1835
with a much smaller speaker (8 cm vs. 12 cm). (BTW, Philips is a Dutch
company. They had their '80s portables made in Hong Kong (e.g. D1835,
D29xx) or China (e.g. AE3405), but then Grundig's Yacht Boys of the time
like the 700 were made in Singapore, too. Grundig( Europe)'s later
portables usually came from the factory in Portugal.)

Stephan
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