My 2 cents:

Most of the best older tube receivers (R390, R390A, National HRO's,
Hammurlund Super Pro's) did not have built in product detectors for SSB
reception. You will have to add a product detector if you buy one of
those. Product detectors can be had for under $200.

The best of the group is the R390A.

I own the R390A, & the HRO-50, HRO-60 & the SP210 Super Pro.
All are excellent receivers. The HRO's use plug in coils which makes
changing bands a P.I.T.A. The HRO's & the Super Pro have great audio,
but the R390A is a much better all around receiver. It (R390A) is a
pain to work on however.

Another good receiver is the National NC183D, but again, no product
detector for SSB.

For a tube radio that does it all out of the box, I'd vote for the
Drake R4A or R4B with auxillary crystals for your SW frequencies of
interest, or an add-on FS-4 frequency synthesizer. They provide
excellent out of the box reception on AM, SSB & CW. They are stable,
have 4 stages of selectivity & provide passband tuning.

As far as tubes are concerned, not to worry. There are literally
millions of tubes available either NOS (new old stock) or used from
many many suppliers.

I don't think you have to spend $2,000 for a very good radio. A top
condition R390A, with an add-on product detector should cost you $1,000
or less.


A minty R4A or R4B all crystalled up will go for around $300-$400. An
FS-4 frequency synthesizer for the Drake will be in the $400 range.


Terry
W8EJO


C. J. Clegg wrote:
Looking for the best all-tube general-coverage (0.5-30) receiver I can
get.

Need good operation on SSB and CW and capability on AM, along with
sensitivity, stability, ruggedness, and availability of replacement parts
e.g. tubes (that last one might be difficult...).

I'm thinking Collins 51Jx or R-390, although I remember that I really
liked an old Hammarlund I had once...

Would like to stay under $1000 but if I had to I suppose I could go as
high as $2000 for something that's really mint.

What do you guys recommend I look for?