i have a chance to purchase the kenwood r-5000 (used) or an icom r75
(new)for about the same price.

obviously the icom is state of the art, while the 5000 is an older
type radio.

question: which one would you get? also what would be the pros and
cons. i would be interested in hearing from people who own both of
these recievers.

my main purpose for purchasing one of these two radios is for dxing.
which one pulls in the weak signals better? i am currently using a
sony 2010. will i see a bigger difference?


thanks in advance - john

John, with the R-75, you'll need audio-n-sync mods to coax outstanding
performance from them. Even then, the sync will work better on m.w. than s.w.
R-5000s were dx machines that had great audio to boot out da box. Ya wanted
sync reception on that Kenwood? Go the E.C.S.S. route, as Rainer Lichte
recommended in his "Receivers-Chance or Choice" tome. Passport said used
Kenwood's developed ground problems via one of the chassis screws, but was
easily remediable via quick clean. Ya can't go wrong with either unit. ICOM
R-75s are likeable, but ICOM R-71s are lovable! You'll probably love the
R-5000's brawny look-n-feel in retrospect, too! You can always get an R-75
later!