I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in the
same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio was
EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's and
early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion that
though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio under
$200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean 803a
first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony 2010 was
also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.