Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception, plus External Plug-in Antenna by Sony
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Digital camera reviews of Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception, plus External Plug-in Antenna
Digital camera Review: An excellent design... Still at the top after all these years
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using the 7600 (no suffix), the grand-daddy of the 7600GR since its debut in 1992. That's close to 14 years of faithful, problem-free service until it finally died on me recently. I was sad to see it go but was all prepared to look for a better alternative. After ploughing through numerous reviews both online and off, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that its direct descendant, the 7600GR, still rates among the top portable receivers today. They are practically identical aside from some pretty superficial changes. I did appreciate the 100 station presets. That's useful for someone who uses it for listening to shortwave stations which change frequencies a lot depending on the time of day and the season. Aside from that, little else has changed. Reception-wise they're close to identical. But far from a fault, it's an indication of how well designed the 7600 was in the first place. I've seldom seen electronic appliances staying practically the same after more than a decade in service and still retain close to top spot in consumer reviews. Sony deserves congratulations for that.
In terms of build quality, I can attest to their ruggedness. These babies were built to last. My trusty old 7600 has been on the open ocean, baked in the sun, drenched in rain (wrapped in plastic of course), subjected to leaky batteries, dropped several times, and given dutiful, uncomplaining service for over a decade. Where can you find electronic equipment built like that these days?
There has been a lot of unhappiness with regards to the absence of an adaptor/transformer for the 7600GR. The original accompanying adaptors in the American market, initially the AC-E90HG and then the AC-E60A were noted to be unshielded, giving rise to RF interference with MW/SW listening. After Sony recalled them, it seems Sony did not replace the adaptor as part of the standard package in America. After reading reviews about the adaptor I had quite decided against buying it. However I managed to get the 7600GR while in Singapore 2 months ago. It was a direct Japanese import and it came with a new AC-adaptor. I'm not sure if this version is properly shielded but I've not noticed any increased interference with SW listening viz. AC-power and batteries. Note that this package is not the one offered on Amazon. My only complaint is that my original 7600's adaptor/transformer came with a 12-foot long cable meaning I could place it anywhere in the room. The new adaptor for the 7600GR is barely 6-feet in length. Also, my original 7600 came with ear-phones for stereo listening on FM. The new 7600GR does not.
Reception, as far as I can tell, is no different from the old model despite the addition of the highly rated "synchronous detector" circuit. That's in part because after so many years, I know exactly which stations I want to listen to and no longer go searching for them. I listen to both SW and FM. Stations I tune to include the BBC, Radio Australia, Radio New Zealand and occasionally Deutsche Welle and Nederlands. They sound the same on both.
These days, with the internet, you no longer have to slowly scan for stations on SW. The easiest way is to go to their websites, download their frequency charts and just directly program them into the preset memory. Actually, many stations also broadcast online. So much easier than in the past. But with a certain loss of that old mystique, anticipation and sense of adventure.
I'd like to correct a statement made in one of the prior reviews. Removing the batteries for more than 60secs will not erase the station presets. The presets are stored in EEPROM which will not be erased with any power loss. What will be erased is the current time on the radio's clock but that's very easily reset.
The built-in "tin-can" speaker is the only part of the 7600 that I dislike. Unfortunately that has not improved. But with the proliferation of cheap, fairly good quality desktop speakers to connect to, you are spoilt for choice. I bought mine together with the $99 Klipsch 2.0 Ultra. The resultant sound is as good as you can hope to get from a world band receiver. For private listening at night, I prefer Sennheisers. They make a world of difference especially when listening to FM stereo.
Some appreciative words for Sony. I managed to get my trusty old 7600 repaired in Singapore at the local Sony outlet for the equivalent of about $40. Dirt cheap for what they replaced: the worn out crystal, DC transformer, over a dozen capacitors and an equal number of switches. What I appreciated most was the fact that they repaired it with no questions asked, despite the fact that it was over 10 years old, had no proof of purchase, no warranty and was no longer in production. If you want to know what makes a loyal customer, it is a company that stands by its product. Now I am the happy owner of 2 perfectly serviceable portable receivers, one for home and one for travel.
Digital camera Review: An excellent receiver, full featured.
Summary: 5 Stars
This receiver offers great performance at a very modest price. Dual conversion, synchronous detection, synthesized PLL; what's not to like?Digital camera Review: As far as I can tell, it's the perfect starter radio
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm very new to the world of shortwave (2 days now). I came across a thread on a messageboard describing the "Conet Project" which is basically a CD collection of various "numbers stations" that have been collected through listening to shortwave radio. These audio loggings intrigued me greatly, and I decided that I wanted to enter the world of shortwave.
So what to do? I have no friends who know what shortwave is, much less what radio to buy. I took a trip to my local Radio Shack and was not impressed with their selection. I did a lot of research online and pretty well figured out that this radio is universally hailed as a great portable and an excellent starter radio. I ordered the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, used super saver shipping, and got it on Monday after Thanksgiving (Thanks Amazon!). I've been using this bad boy ever since and let me tell you, I have been completely overwhelmed at what I could pick up with this thing. I've received HAM radio communcations, BBC with excellent clarity, FM stations that I normally cannot pick up here, AM stations from my hometown that are weak, and quite a few of these treasured "numbers stations" that got me so interested in the first place.
I'll be honest, I haven't tested another radio, so I have little to compare to. But this radio exceeded my expectations for 128 dollars and change. It's very well constructed, and comes with a nifty carrying case and a spool type antenna. Receptiion with the included antenna is nothing short of awesome.
The only downside I can find is the fact that no AC adapter was included. Why Sony would not include something like this is beyond me, but I'm not going to complain a lot. I've read that AC adapters can cause unwanted interference, especially the one that this radio uses.
I don't know how I can wrap this up other than saying that I'm new to shortwave, I find it very interesting, and this radio pleases me greatly. Unless you want to spend a lot more money, this will be your best bet.
Digital camera Review: BAD LUCK
Summary: 2 Stars
I really wish this radio worked as I did hours of research but unfortunately I could not recieve any shortwave no matter what I tried.
I even tried an outside antenna with absolutely no reception.
I returned it but was really sorry to do so.
I may buy another hope it's better.
Digital camera Review: Best Value -- Get one while you can
Summary: 5 Stars
For many reasons this is absolutely the best valued shortwave receiver on the market.
1. Synchronous detector! It enables the radio to lock
onto signals with tenacity. It reduces fading and noise and
enables you to eliminate interference by selecting a sideband
on the other side of the interfering signal. On the SW7600GR
it works very well. No other radio at this price has sync
detector.
2. Build quality. Made in Japan. The radio even feels
robust. It is.
3. Sensitivity.
4. Great portability.
Of course there are also some liabilities.
Sound through the little speaker is not as good as some
competing products. But given that this little Sony blows
the competitors away in almost all other respects,
this is a minor quibble. The sound isn't bad; it just
isn't room filling. As a personal radio this isn't such
a liability. Plus, you can always use earphones or connect
to auxiliary speakers (Cambridge Soundworks?).
The memory system is simple, without alphabetic labels.
There is no tuning dial, just jog buttons for scanning
the bands. Simplicity makes for easy operation, though.
FM reception is respectable (much better than the very
expensive big brother the Sony ICF-SW77). Standard AM
reception is good, possibly very good. But if you are
interested in DXing the AM bands, you already have a
GE Super Radio.
It doesn't have an AC adaptor (and you should AVOID buying
the horrible--and horribly expensive--official Sony adaptor).
If you want to power from AC, get an inexpensive one. I power
mine with rechargeable NiMH batteries which work better than
alkalines and can be reused hundreds of times. Buy two
sets of batteries and you'll always have a set charged and
ready to go. Battery drain is respectively low and the unit
functions perfectly on the slightly lower voltage NiMHs.
As a travel radio, or as an introduction to shortwave, I can't
think of a better unit. Probably the best recommendation for
the 7600GR is that in spite of all the laudable reviews, using
one for the first time still surprises. Originally priced
at just under $200 US, current street prices make this an
incredible value.
Now for the bad news. Sony is getting out of the world band
radio business. These little gems may soon be unavailable.
So if you're interested in the 7600GR, now is the time.