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#1
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Might as well start a new thread on this radio. I believe it was
supposed to be released in April but now it looks like June. The on line information still does not tell that much. Depending on what you read the radio is supposed to have some kind of DSP but the PDF on the radio does not indicate it. Here we have DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/pressrelease/?p_NewsId=381436 And here there is no mention of DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=351064 So what's up with that? DSP or not this could be a decent portable SW boom box for $300. I noticed MII posted about Mike Maghakian's audio, power, and weight improvement project on the E1. It would be nice if Mike Maghakian would post about it in this news group. http://www.dxer.ca/component/option,...id,9/PageNo,1/ -- Telamon Ventura, California |
#2
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RadioWorld selling Grundig 750! $299.99 "Canadian".
http://radioworld.ca/product_info.ph...oducts_id=4865 "Telamon" wrote in message .. .. Might as well start a new thread on this radio. I believe it was supposed to be released in April but now it looks like June. The on line information still does not tell that much. Depending on what you read the radio is supposed to have some kind of DSP but the PDF on the radio does not indicate it. Here we have DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/pressrelease/?p_NewsId=381436 And here there is no mention of DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=351064 So what's up with that? DSP or not this could be a decent portable SW boom box for $300. I noticed MII posted about Mike Maghakian's audio, power, and weight improvement project on the E1. It would be nice if Mike Maghakian would post about it in this news group. http://www.dxer.ca/component/option,...id,9/PageNo,1/ -- Telamon Ventura, California |
#3
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In article ,
"Justtis" wrote: "Telamon" wrote in message .. . Might as well start a new thread on this radio. I believe it was supposed to be released in April but now it looks like June. The on line information still does not tell that much. Depending on what you read the radio is supposed to have some kind of DSP but the PDF on the radio does not indicate it. Here we have DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/pressrelease/?p_NewsId=381436 And here there is no mention of DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=351064 So what's up with that? DSP or not this could be a decent portable SW boom box for $300. I noticed MII posted about Mike Maghakian's audio, power, and weight improvement project on the E1. It would be nice if Mike Maghakian would post about it in this news group. http://www.dxer.ca/component/option,...id,9/PageNo,1/ RadioWorld selling Grundig 750! $299.99 "Canadian". http://radioworld.ca/product_info.ph...oducts_id=4865 Yeah, that appears to be the going price but do they actually have any? Other sites offer them for $300 US but you can only pre-order. One link I referenced says the radio is available in June. -- Telamon Ventura, California |
#4
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Telamon wrote:
Might as well start a new thread on this radio. I believe it was supposed to be released in April but now it looks like June. The on line information still does not tell that much. Depending on what you read the radio is supposed to have some kind of DSP but the PDF on the radio does not indicate it. Here we have DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/pressrelease/?p_NewsId=381436 And here there is no mention of DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=351064 So what's up with that? DSP or not this could be a decent portable SW boom box for $300. I noticed MII posted about Mike Maghakian's audio, power, and weight improvement project on the E1. It would be nice if Mike Maghakian would post about it in this news group. http://www.dxer.ca/component/option,...id,9/PageNo,1/ Mike Maghakian took a lot of **** for posting some of his mods to the group in the past, so he's less likely to bother with us, now. This mod set is a decent piece of work. It's also nice to get a peek inside the E1. Looks like Eton did a decent job with it. As opposed to some of their earlier work. |
#5
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Dear Telamon and Everyone Else Reading This:
I know that many people are anxiously awaiting the release of this radio and, for those who are just radio "collectors" the following advisory may not apply. But for the rest of you - the ones who use their radios on a daily basis and expect them to function properly - given Eton's poor track record with sophisticated communications receivers (for example, the Grundig Satellit 800 and, most especially, the Eton E1), it may behoove you to temper your enthusiasm and wait until some sort of track record RELIABLY REPORTED BY USERS is established for this radio. I'm sure many of you have seen the "horror stories" concerning those two Eton-marketed radios mentioned above (for example, my own personal Satellit 800 had to be sent back to Drake THREE [3] times - at a total cost of well-over $350.00 in repair and shipping costs [this is, in my opinion, unconscionable for a $500.00 radio that was less than six years old at the time] before they got it right) and I would STRONGLY recommend that you carefully consider this before purchasing what might become a very good radio OR "COULD" become just another in a line of Eton-marketed "disasters." Their track record indicates that the latter is at least a pretty fair possibility! Also, thus far, Eton has demonstrated a somewhat cold indifference to those purchasers who are dissatisfied with their expensive radios, at least based on the many reports you and I have read here and on other groups. Thus, I believe caution and patience are the watchwords in this situation. After all, the Grundig Satellit 750 is certainly not some major breakthrough; it does not, at least in its so far published specifications, advance the art of radio reception in ANY way. Waiting a year or two to see its established track record would not deprive anyone of anything he/she does not already have! (And, yes, I very much like its styling too!!) Frankly, unless I had an unlimited "deep pocket," or were an aforementioned "collector," I wouldn't be "the first kid on my block to own one." As always, the above is strictly my own opinion and nothing more. Best, Joe On Apr 27, 11:53 pm, Telamon wrote: Might as well start a new thread on this radio. I believe it was supposed to be released in April but now it looks like June. The on line information still does not tell that much. Depending on what you read the radio is supposed to have some kind of DSP but the PDF on the radio does not indicate it. Here we have DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/pressrelease/?p_NewsId=381436 And here there is no mention of DSP http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=351064 So what's up with that? DSP or not this could be a decent portable SW boom box for $300. I noticed MII posted about Mike Maghakian's audio, power, and weight improvement project on the E1. It would be nice if Mike Maghakian would post about it in this news group. http://www.dxer.ca/component/option,...id,9/PageNo,1/ -- Telamon Ventura, California |
#6
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On Apr 28, 11:30*am, Joe Analssandrini
wrote: Dear Telamon and Everyone Else Reading This: Best, Joe Hello Joe, It’s certainly no secret that both the Sat 800 and the Eton E1 have had their problems. I wouldn't use the qualifier "most especially" with regard to the E1, however. The Sat 800 was certainly plagued with a long litany of problems. I have a Sat 800 sitting here at home that has a list of about 10 or so issues for which I may eventually send the unit to Drake for servicing (no rush, really, as the E1 supplanted the Sat 800 for many of my day to day listening requirements, as performance-wise it is an upgrade from the Sat 800). The main difference might be that there was an actual recall with the Eton E1 for the units with the leaking battery issue (not that there weren't a few reported units a few hundred above and below the trace recall that exhibited the same problem). Unfortunately, even the E1 and Sat 800’s predecessor, the Drake SW8 has not been immune to certain problems: indeed, the SW8’s display failure problem (user remediable if you’re not afraid to crack the thing open) was pervasive enough that Drake for long had on their website instructions for how to correct this problem. I can certainly understand your being ****ed at having sent the Sat 800 back 3 times and having shelled out so much on repeated repairs. I am curious as to what problems you've experienced with your Sat 800. I'm sure the encoder problems must be in your list... Eton is certainly guilty of having played a poor hand on both the Sat 800 and the Eton E1. That said, both radios are excellent performers when functioning properly. The Eton E1 appears less prone toward repeat failings, with the exception of those exhibiting the display failure. In the case of the display failure, there do seem to be a number of folks who’ve had to send their units back more than once. It’s anyone’s guess as to what Eton has going on with the E1 currently. As you are a member of the E1 Yahoo Group, I guess you’ve seen that there is some delay in Eton replenishing their stock of E1 receivers (with the one guy being repeatedly told they’d be getting more in a month…and we’re now 5 months on). Hopefully, they’re correcting some of the issues that have marred the image of this otherwise excellent radio. It was, of course, interesting to learn that Eton had addressed +/- 70 Hz SSB drift issue (an issue that had so annoyed a number of people, including myself, although the degree of drift was actually within the manufacturer’s specs) through the a component replacement in the later production units. I should hope that they might do the same with the FM stereo lock issue. Ultimately, though, the Eton E1 is getting a worse rap than it deserves in the Yahoo group, which has in many ways turned into a rant- fest for a few vocal individuals who repeatedly voice the same (often legitimate) concerns. But then, that group is one that actually stays on topic; so the messages posted invariably tend to be from two groups: those who feel they’ve been burnt and those who are looking to purchase an E1 and want to know more. It’s a platform that lends itself to repeated postings of the same folks’ tales of woe! Ah, well, it is interesting nonetheless that a few of the folks who complain about Eton most are also regular users of the E1. And I can sympathize with them. Eton has a great product design on their hand with the E1, something quite unique and a product that I should hope we’d all like to see them learn to execute properly on a more consistent basis. As for Eton, they've certainly demonstrated a track record of quality control issues and component failures in their more advanced portables. I would not, however, generalize this more broadly toward their overall product line. Given that "Eton" is more a marketing firm than a true radio manufacturer, I guess that isn't so surprising. The Eton E5/Grundig G5 is actually a very nice radio, I have to say. I picked one up recently, and I must say I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance. And this is coming from someone who is, like you, a die-hard fan of the Sony '7600 series radios. I’d have to agree with you that there’s no indication that the Sat 750 is in any way a groundbreaking offering by Eton. Looking at the features offered on this set, it appears to be pretty basic: two bandwidths, no sync, and certainly no PBT, as found on the E1. A number of niceties, to be su analog signal strength meter, bass/ treble controls & a nicely sized speaker, AM MW antenna for the MW enthusiasts. And there are the gimmicky/BS features, like the cell phone charger. It may emerge as a decent performer; let’s wait, see and hope so. But there’s no feature on this radio that is in any way more sophisticated than, say, the technology you’d find in the Grundig Yacht Boy 400…only a bigger cabinet and retro styling. Consequently, I’d be less likely to apply the Sat 800 / Eton E1 analogy to this set. But then, we shall see. Certainly, though, caution is advised on any purchase where you’re shelling out a decent sum of money. And all said and done, they’ve put a relatively pricey tag on this unit, given what it offers in terms of features. I certainly will not be one of the first in line for the '750, but I've certainly not ruled it out as yet. Junius |
#7
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On Apr 28, 4:08*pm, junius wrote:
On Apr 28, 11:30*am, Joe Analssandrini wrote: Dear Telamon and Everyone Else Reading This: Best, Joe Hello Joe, It’s certainly no secret that both the Sat 800 and the Eton E1 have had their problems. *I wouldn't use the qualifier "most especially" with regard to the E1, however. *The Sat 800 was certainly plagued with a long litany of problems. *I have a Sat 800 sitting here at home that has a list of about 10 or so issues for which I may eventually send the unit to Drake for servicing (no rush, really, as the E1 supplanted the Sat 800 for many of my day to day listening requirements, as performance-wise it is an upgrade from the Sat 800). The main difference might be that there was an actual recall with the Eton E1 for the units with the leaking battery issue (not that there weren't a few reported units a few hundred above and below the trace recall that exhibited the same problem). Unfortunately, even the E1 and Sat 800’s predecessor, the Drake SW8 has not been immune to certain problems: *indeed, the SW8’s display failure problem (user remediable if you’re not afraid to crack the thing open) was pervasive enough that Drake for long had on their website instructions for how to correct this problem. I can certainly understand your being ****ed at having sent the Sat 800 back 3 times and having shelled out so much on repeated repairs. I am curious as to what problems you've experienced with your Sat 800. *I'm sure the encoder problems must be in your list... Eton is certainly guilty of having played a poor hand on both the Sat 800 and the Eton E1. That said, both radios are excellent performers when functioning properly. *The Eton E1 appears less prone toward repeat failings, with the exception of those exhibiting the display failure. *In the case of the display failure, there do seem to be a number of folks who’ve had to send their units back more than once. It’s anyone’s guess as to what Eton has going on with the E1 currently. *As you are a member of the E1 Yahoo Group, I guess you’ve seen that there is some delay in Eton replenishing their stock of E1 receivers (with the one guy being repeatedly told they’d be getting more in a month…and we’re now 5 months on). *Hopefully, they’re correcting some of the issues that have marred the image of this otherwise excellent radio. It was, of course, interesting to learn that Eton had addressed +/- 70 Hz SSB drift issue (an issue that had so annoyed a number of people, including myself, although the degree of drift was actually within the manufacturer’s specs) through the a component replacement in the later production units. *I should hope that they might do the same with the FM stereo lock issue. Ultimately, though, the Eton E1 is getting a worse rap than it deserves in the Yahoo group, which has in many ways turned into a rant- fest for a few vocal individuals who repeatedly voice the same (often legitimate) concerns. *But then, that group is one that actually stays on topic; so the messages posted invariably tend to be from two groups: *those who feel they’ve been burnt and those who are looking to purchase an E1 and want to know more. *It’s a platform that lends itself to repeated postings of the same folks’ tales of woe! *Ah, well, it is interesting nonetheless that a few of the folks who complain about Eton most are also regular users of the E1. *And I can sympathize with them. *Eton has a great product design on their hand with the E1, something quite unique and a product that I should hope we’d all like to see them learn to execute properly on a more consistent basis. As for Eton, they've certainly demonstrated a track record of quality control issues and component failures in their more advanced portables. *I would not, however, generalize this more broadly toward their overall product line. Given that "Eton" is more a marketing firm than a true radio manufacturer, I guess that isn't so surprising. *The Eton E5/Grundig G5 is actually a very nice radio, I have to say. *I picked one up recently, and I must say I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance. *And this is coming from someone who is, like you, a die-hard fan of the Sony '7600 series radios. I’d have to agree with you that there’s no indication that the Sat 750 is in any way a groundbreaking offering by Eton. *Looking at the features offered on this set, it appears to be pretty basic: *two bandwidths, no sync, and certainly no PBT, as found on the E1. A number of niceties, to be su analog signal strength meter, bass/ treble controls & a nicely sized speaker, AM MW antenna for the MW enthusiasts. *And there are the gimmicky/BS features, like the cell phone charger. *It may emerge as a decent performer; let’s wait, see and hope so. *But there’s no feature on this radio that is in any way more sophisticated than, say, the technology you’d find in the Grundig Yacht Boy 400…only a bigger cabinet and retro styling. Consequently, I’d be less likely to apply the Sat 800 / Eton E1 analogy to this set. *But then, we shall see. *Certainly, though, caution is advised on any purchase where you’re shelling out a decent sum of money. And all said and done, they’ve put a relatively pricey tag on this unit, given what it offers in terms of features. I certainly will not be one of the first in line for the '750, but I've certainly not ruled it out as yet. Junius -=IIRC=- With the GS800M Eton got the first few batches wrong, and then they had generally good production. With the E1 Eton got the first few batches right, then they had a few bad production batches. ~ RHF |
#8
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Dear Junius,
It appears that you and I are generally in agreement. I would mention a couple of things, however. You say that both the Satellit 800 and the E1 are excellent performers WHEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY (emphasis mine). Agreed. The problem appears to be that they DON'T function properly for very long, at least in my and some others' experiences. The various problems I had with my (admittedly early production) Satellit 800 included, of course, the encoder problem (present each time I sent the radio back to Drake), buttons that stopped functioning, synchronous detection circuit getting badly out of alignment, the AGC not functioning properly, very obvious loss of sensitivity, and quite a few other problems (I can't even remember them all!). While I know that many people purchased Satellit 800s and are fully satisfied with them, and even more people have bought E1s and are fully satisfied with THEM, there remains a very significant minority which is NOT satisfied with their Eton/Grundig receivers. The reason for these problems, in my estimation, is that Eton, a marketing company - not, as you said, a manufacturing company, specified the use of lower-grade parts in these radios in order to keep their costs down. You know, Junius, that the difference in price between a high- tolerance part (something formerly called "mil-spec") and a lower- tolerance part is generally no more than 10-15%. Often these lower- tolerance parts work perfectly fine, at least for a while. Some, via the luck of the draw, may even be as good and as long-lasting as the more expensive parts. But just as often they are not. You KNOW what you're getting with "mil-spec"-equivalent parts. Frankly, had Eton (then Lextronix) specified high-grade parts and charged $549.00 for the Satellit 800 instead of using lower-grade parts and charging $499.00, I, and I suspect most others, STILL would have bought one. As it is, even repaired by Drake and seeming functioning perfectly now, I am under no illusions as to how long this radio will last. (I have tole my wife that that was the last time I will send the radio to Drake. The "next time" it breaks I will send it to the landfill!) I originally wanted to buy an E1 (especially after I read that it is being produced by Bharat Electronics in India rather than Tecsun Electronics in China) but, in view of my experience, I decided to "go back" to the way I had always been before the Satellit 800 debacle: ALWAYS to "wait and see" others' experiences before shelling out my hard-earned cash. Now, frankly, I'm glad I did not purchase an E1, nor will I ever do so. Bharat will use substandard parts if "ordered" to do so by the buyer and it appears that that's exactly what they have done. Even if an E1 functions perfectly at first, it will not last anywhere nearly as long as it should, considering its price. That's not to say that Eton's lesser-cost radios, such as the E/G5 are not worthy. They may very well be. In fact I am considering "following" the forthcoming G6 "Aviator" model; if it turns out, after a year or two, to be a "good one," I'll buy it. But I'm definitely going to wait and see others' experiences (as well as reviews). That's what I strongly suggest concerning the forthcoming Satellit 750. Wait and see. Also please take note of the fact that EVERY time Eton has announced a new radio and then "put off" and "put off" and "put off" the actual introduction date, there have been problems with that model. The G6 "Aviator" lists for only $100.00, practically a "throwaway" price. (I'm primarily interested in it because of its inclusion of the air band.) The Satellit 750 lists for $300.00, not anywhere near the E1's price, but not exactly "chump change" either. While I like very much the Satellit 750's styling, frankly I am far more interested in "substance" rather than "style." Thus, I recommend EVERY member here (sophisticated radio hobbyists all) wait and see about the Satellit 750. Let "others" be the "guinea pigs." That's my recommendation, anyway, and, as always, these opinions are strictly that - my opinions only. Best, Joe On Apr 28, 7:08 pm, junius wrote: On Apr 28, 11:30 am, Joe Analssandrini wrote: Dear Telamon and Everyone Else Reading This: Best, Joe Hello Joe, It’s certainly no secret that both the Sat 800 and the Eton E1 have had their problems. I wouldn't use the qualifier "most especially" with regard to the E1, however. The Sat 800 was certainly plagued with a long litany of problems. I have a Sat 800 sitting here at home that has a list of about 10 or so issues for which I may eventually send the unit to Drake for servicing (no rush, really, as the E1 supplanted the Sat 800 for many of my day to day listening requirements, as performance-wise it is an upgrade from the Sat 800). The main difference might be that there was an actual recall with the Eton E1 for the units with the leaking battery issue (not that there weren't a few reported units a few hundred above and below the trace recall that exhibited the same problem). Unfortunately, even the E1 and Sat 800’s predecessor, the Drake SW8 has not been immune to certain problems: indeed, the SW8’s display failure problem (user remediable if you’re not afraid to crack the thing open) was pervasive enough that Drake for long had on their website instructions for how to correct this problem. I can certainly understand your being ****ed at having sent the Sat 800 back 3 times and having shelled out so much on repeated repairs. I am curious as to what problems you've experienced with your Sat 800. I'm sure the encoder problems must be in your list... Eton is certainly guilty of having played a poor hand on both the Sat 800 and the Eton E1. That said, both radios are excellent performers when functioning properly. The Eton E1 appears less prone toward repeat failings, with the exception of those exhibiting the display failure. In the case of the display failure, there do seem to be a number of folks who’ve had to send their units back more than once. It’s anyone’s guess as to what Eton has going on with the E1 currently. As you are a member of the E1 Yahoo Group, I guess you’ve seen that there is some delay in Eton replenishing their stock of E1 receivers (with the one guy being repeatedly told they’d be getting more in a month…and we’re now 5 months on). Hopefully, they’re correcting some of the issues that have marred the image of this otherwise excellent radio. It was, of course, interesting to learn that Eton had addressed +/- 70 Hz SSB drift issue (an issue that had so annoyed a number of people, including myself, although the degree of drift was actually within the manufacturer’s specs) through the a component replacement in the later production units. I should hope that they might do the same with the FM stereo lock issue. Ultimately, though, the Eton E1 is getting a worse rap than it deserves in the Yahoo group, which has in many ways turned into a rant- fest for a few vocal individuals who repeatedly voice the same (often legitimate) concerns. But then, that group is one that actually stays on topic; so the messages posted invariably tend to be from two groups: those who feel they’ve been burnt and those who are looking to purchase an E1 and want to know more. It’s a platform that lends itself to repeated postings of the same folks’ tales of woe! Ah, well, it is interesting nonetheless that a few of the folks who complain about Eton most are also regular users of the E1. And I can sympathize with them. Eton has a great product design on their hand with the E1, something quite unique and a product that I should hope we’d all like to see them learn to execute properly on a more consistent basis. As for Eton, they've certainly demonstrated a track record of quality control issues and component failures in their more advanced portables. I would not, however, generalize this more broadly toward their overall product line. Given that "Eton" is more a marketing firm than a true radio manufacturer, I guess that isn't so surprising. The Eton E5/Grundig G5 is actually a very nice radio, I have to say. I picked one up recently, and I must say I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance. And this is coming from someone who is, like you, a die-hard fan of the Sony '7600 series radios. I’d have to agree with you that there’s no indication that the Sat 750 is in any way a groundbreaking offering by Eton. Looking at the features offered on this set, it appears to be pretty basic: two bandwidths, no sync, and certainly no PBT, as found on the E1. A number of niceties, to be su analog signal strength meter, bass/ treble controls & a nicely sized speaker, AM MW antenna for the MW enthusiasts. And there are the gimmicky/BS features, like the cell phone charger. It may emerge as a decent performer; let’s wait, see and hope so. But there’s no feature on this radio that is in any way more sophisticated than, say, the technology you’d find in the Grundig Yacht Boy 400…only a bigger cabinet and retro styling. Consequently, I’d be less likely to apply the Sat 800 / Eton E1 analogy to this set. But then, we shall see. Certainly, though, caution is advised on any purchase where you’re shelling out a decent sum of money. And all said and done, they’ve put a relatively pricey tag on this unit, given what it offers in terms of features. I certainly will not be one of the first in line for the '750, but I've certainly not ruled it out as yet. Junius |
#9
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On Apr 28, 1:56*pm, "SWL-2010" wrote:
*I haven't bought a new receiver since the 2100, I'm about due I missed the 2100, but still have my 2010. I guess I am 90 years behind. :-) RK |
#10
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anyone remembers woody allen in "Sleeper"?
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