On Mar 29, 3:17 pm, Snidely wrote:
- Very good to excellent build quality
- All band coverage (by current standards)
- Portable
- Excellent sound
- In general, simply inspires lust

I'm sorry to say, I can't think of any worthy radios.

Any suggestions?

The Zenith TO was a reasonable radio in it's day, but that day has
long since passed. The Eton E1 would run circles around any of the
Zenith TO receivers, no matter which performance measure was
compared. Indeed a Degen DE1103 would outperform one too.

But the Zenith TO is a fine radio to collect and enjoy for what it
was, and how much it contributed to the hobby or radio program
listening. And one of them makes a pretty darned good addition to a
collection of antique radios.

But I suspect that whoever is posting as "Snidely" the sockpuppet
really knows all of this.

Roadie wrote:
On Mar 29, 3:17 pm, Snidely wrote:
- Very good to excellent build quality
- All band coverage (by current standards)
- Portable
- Excellent sound
- In general, simply inspires lust

I'm sorry to say, I can't think of any worthy radios.

Any suggestions?

The Zenith TO was a reasonable radio in it's day, but that day has
long since passed. The Eton E1 would run circles around any of the
Zenith TO receivers, no matter which performance measure was
compared. Indeed a Degen DE1103 would outperform one too.

But the Zenith TO is a fine radio to collect and enjoy for what it
was, and how much it contributed to the hobby or radio program
listening. And one of them makes a pretty darned good addition to a
collection of antique radios.



A Jr High buddy of mine decided to get into shortwave radio. And his
father, running a steel company, had nothing but money. Still, they
combed Consumer Reports and came up with a 'Must Buy' rating on a
Masterwork M-2896.

And he got it for his birthday.

I had to put my own money down, so it took me a while to save up for
mine, but I bought a T/O. I took some crap for that. CR didn't care for
it. Tough, I bought it. I liked it, and I used it.

Within a few months, the Masterwork was in the closet. Abandoned due
to noisy and intermittent switches. It was sold a few years later.

My T/O is still working. Had a few caps replaced, and switches and
pots lubed, but other than that...pretty reliable.

I recently found and bought a pair of M-2896's. I can see why CR
liked them so much. Exceptional build quality. And the case is very
nicely appointed. The leather doesn't retract like the leather on the
T/O. The chrome also seems less likely to pit.

Electrically, they are similar. Performance is pretty close. The
Masterwork is a bit quieter, though, again, with the deeper AGC, the T/O
is pumping up more noise. The Masterwork is more likely to overload.
And the audio isn't as full. (Though later models in the series do have
a much richer sound.

The T/O holds its own on broadcast. AM and FM. The Masterwork is a
little better there. Quieter and cleaner. Especially FM.

Together, they're both representative of their period, and their
price class. But neither would stand up to a decent rig, today.

Prices on the T/O's are coming back down to reasonability. You can
pick up any of the Masterwork series for about $30 including shipping.
And I buy up what I can find, clean them up, improve what I can
electrically, and then wrap them up and give them away as Christmas
gifts to my radio engaged friends.

You should see the looks.



p

Actually, it is a question that I thought would bring about interesting
debate and suggestions. I merely used the TO as a point of reference,
the idea being basically to discuss only the very best commercially
available portables.

I am in the market for just such a thing and am seeking input.

Instead, utter crap : (

I wouldn't call it ALL crap. Just most of it. You started by stating that
you wanted:

- Very good to excellent build quality
- All band coverage (by current standards)
- Portable
- Excellent sound
- In general, simply inspires lust

just like the TransOceanics did, IN THEIR DAY.

Some people felt it necessary to downgrade the TO, and pointed out that
current day radios outperform them. Duh. If I understand what you meant, I
would stick by my original recommendation of the Eton E1. It is the
modern-day equivalent; a premium-quality, high performance radio with all of
the features you are looking for. Of course the lust thing is subjective,
but just like a 69 Mustang inspired lust when it was new, it is of course
outperformed by even the most modest of today's technology.




"Snidely" wrote in message
...
Actually, it is a question that I thought would bring about interesting
debate and suggestions. I merely used the TO as a point of reference, the
idea being basically to discuss only the very best commercially available
portables.

I am in the market for just such a thing and am seeking input.

Instead, utter crap : (

You certainly DO understand what I was getting at. I will be looking at
the Eton very closely. Thanks.

Unrevealed Source wrote:

If I understand what you meant, I
would stick by my original recommendation of the Eton E1. It is the
modern-day equivalent; a premium-quality, high performance radio with all of
the features you are looking for. Of course the lust thing is subjective,
but just like a 69 Mustang inspired lust when it was new, it is of course
outperformed by even the most modest of today's technology.