Customer Reviews:
 Synchronous AM Detection and other Shortwave Stuff June 15, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
There are many reviews already on this radio, so mine will be short.
I like Sony, I've liked all there shortwave radios. Some are better than others, some are bigger, heavier and less portable. I have 3 of them now.
I have several SWL radios, from the Drake R8B, to a little Kaito KA1102.
I like the size of the SW7600, I like the control layout somewhat. Sony always sounds good too. The most impressive technical function for a radios of this size and price, is the Synchronous AM Detector. This is the smallest radio I know of with this function. It's a very good feature to have, and Sony was wise to put it on this radio. I've also read where it comes from! The bottom line is I would highly recommend this radio for entry level SHORT WAVE LISTENING(SWL) the price is right, and quality is there!
I don't like the tiny display screen. I'm not saying it should be like the monstrous Eton E1XM which I have and love, but 1/2 inch over and down would have been wonderful. A tuning KNOB is also nice but no. Switches in front is best, but Sony alway has afew on the side along with volume and attenuation adjustment wheels. They don't seem to be putting handles on portable radios any more. Planned obsolescents? You drop it, break it, and buy another, maybe? This is a small, but not tiny radio, that can bring in lots of radio stations clearly, especially with an external antenna. That's the other side of the shortwave radio equation, and also a fun project. 73's
 a quality item June 13, 2008
I grew up with analog, so I had to read the manual before I could figure out how to use this thing, but once I figured it out, I was impressed. The sound quality is excellent for a small unit, and I've heard sw stations I never new existed. This radio would beat the pants off of my old one, if radios wore pants.
A great radio. Get this! June 12, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Hello all,
I've been a shortwave listener/ham since eons ago, and have used most of the popular radios, desktop and portable. One of my all time favorites was the Sony 2010. In side by side tests, the 2010 could hear stations that more expensive table tops could not. This 7600GR reminds me of the 2010. The synch detector--which lets you listen to AM/shortwave stations that fade in and out more easily, reminds me of the 2010, and I think the sensitivity is similar with the whip antenna. Sony's speaker audio has never been hi fi, so get a pair of skullcandy buds, and enjoy this radio, its a very competent design. If it had a tuning knob and a push button to turn the synch detector on and off, rather than a slide switch I'd call it a 99.5% similar 2010 radio, which is saying a lot, believe me. As it is designed, I'd say it's 99% of the 2010. Yes, shortwave is receding as a radio listening activity, but still, this radio, if it is Sony's last sincere product for this listening, is worth your money for a digital radio. And, the AM broadcast band performance is quite good as well. If you want high fidelity, this, or any other radio other than a Grundig table top, is not for you in terms of sound. Technically, its a real receiver, worthy of your attention.
Very fine quality as well as highly portable sw radio May 30, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
So far I am quite impressed with this very high quality am/fm/lw/sw radio which is the cumulative result of Sony research and development over some 25 years. Sony should certainly have provided a similar quality ac/dc adapter/charger that really works well with this unit (with very low interference noise) right at the time of purchase however. A good quality ac/dc adaptor is fortunately still available from the universal-radio website for example. This radio does have a much steeper learning and operating curve for the casual user than for example does the Kaito KA1102. The speaker is somewhat tinny sounding in comparison to the KA1102, but still quite adequate. Also, the variable attenuator controls are extremely excellent compared to the single fixed filters found on some other radios for example. I will update this review as I get further into its daily operations, but so far I am extremely glad that I was able to acquire this very fine radio right now.
UPDATE: June 27, 2008:
Having built and owned numerous Heathkits as well as Grundig/Eton and Kaito SW radios, I can readily say that this Sony under review is more of a SW radio with FM capability added on whereas the KA1102 is more like an AM/FM radio with SW capability added to it. Part of this description is surely based on the very high quality sound of the KA1102 and the relatively tinny sound from the Sony except through a set of reasonable quality earphones. Most people interested in SW radio listening don't care a great deal about the quality of the radio's musical sounds very much, whereas those who listen to FM a great deal really want high quality musical sounds with full bass and treble adjustments. In addition, however the broad range of listening capabilities on the Sony for reception of LW/AM (MW) and SW bands, all integrate together very nicely as a full package, whereas it seems less connected as an integrated unit on the KA1102. Overall I far prefer the Sony in its SW listening capabilities and very full set of features. Of course the Sony also costs some $70-80 more than the KA1102 too.
On the negative side, one earlier reviewer on Amazon did note that when the very long telescopic Sony built-in antenna is fully extended it is very vulnerable to breakage and he was completely correct. Sony should have attached either a shorter antenna or reinforced the attachment to the radio for the fully extended position (when extended this antenna is about 20 inches in length). So just to be safe, I don't usually extend the antenna all the way or else I simply attach the supplied external antenna when necessary for improving my SW listening.
Great reception May 27, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I got this for my boyfriend and it gets great reception as opposed to all of his other radios. The only thing is that you shouldn't use it with the ac adapter. According to my bf, the AC adapter messes with the reception and then you will get a permanent hum.
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