I think that most people have a pretty good handle on the performance of
this receiver, but I do understand what you mean.
There are a couple of advantages to LCDs..........by using a dot matrix
display such as the one used in this unit, the display capabilities can be
software driven. I am not very good with software, so I tend to either go
with LEDs or the smart LCDs, such as the ones driven by the HD44870
controllers. Even then, I let my software savvy friends write the code for
driving the displays, while I concentrate on the RF/Analog design.
LCDs do draw less current than LEDs, and with the fiber optic backlighting
panels from Lumitex you can have many choices of backlight colors just by
choosing the LED color. They can be found at: http://www.lumitex.com/
I just installed one of them in my Palstar R-30 receiver last week. The
Drake SW-8 uses one of these panels for its backlight.
What this backlight consists of is a fiber optic bundle with a ferrule at
one end. The LED is inserted into this ferrule, and the fiber optic bundle
fans out into a flat panel. Most cool.
Even cooler would be if Eton would come up with a multi-color LCD on their
next iteration of this receiver. Now, if I could only get ahold of a
schematic diagram!

Pete

Your assessment of this fine receiver is one of only a handful that
sounds realistic and authentic to me, and not driven by the "Eton
cult" that I've never really been able to get my head around. Thanks
for this.

Why are LCDs attractive to the manufacturers of these receivers. I
know LCDs don't require a lot of power, which is a plus; but I would
gladly accept a more power hungry display so long as it wouldn't
compromise receiver performance! Are the LCDs cheaper? What's the
attraction from a manufacturer's point of view?

Steve