Gil,
I ordered the Sony SRF-S84 AM-FM analog unit from Amazon (via Wall
Street Photo) at the steep price, and it just arrived this morning. The
original
plan was to include it in the 2008 Shootout, but the Shootout File is
already well under way, so it will probably be fully reviewed later this year,
with
other Ultralight units.
Of course, we are all extremely curious about what extra goodies Sony
has inside this analog unit, to justify the extremely high price (compared to
the SRF-59). Below is a "quick and dirty" review.
The SRF-S84 is an "Ultralighter" (cigarette lighter-sized) model, and
is less than half the size of the SRF-59. Because of this, the loopstick is
much shorter (estimated at about 1 inch), compared to the SRF-59's 1.75
inches. This makes the SRF-S84's sensitivity, selectivity and nulling ability
somewhat less than the SRF-59's, although because it does have the CXA1129
chip,
the performance is still very astonishing for the radio's size. It is
probably designed to be Sony's analog competitor in the Ultralighter class,
which
makes sense because its selectivity and nullability would be tops in the
Ultralighter class (beating all digital models), just like the SRF-59 (and its
SRF-39FP brother) are tops in selectivity and nulling ability among the larger
pocket-radio class. In this SRF-S84 model, Gil, you are basically paying a
premium for the radio's compact size (like you will for the SRF-T615 and the
Sangean DT-180V).
In the "Ultralighter" class (the only really fair comparison), this
radio would have less sensitivity than the SRF-T615, but greater sensitivity
than the DT-180V. It would have superior selectivity and nullability to
either
of these Ultralighter models, which is presumably the reason why Sony has it
on the market. However, if you are looking for best DX performance in an
Ultralight radio, you can buy the SRF-59 at $15 and get better DX performance
than this SRF-S84 at $99 (Amazon). So unless you need a radio that will be
the
size of a business card, this model is probably an economic meltdown.
The FM-stereo section has decent audio and sensitivity for the radio's
size, although not quite up to the SRF-T615's level. Compared to the
DT-180V, it would be about a draw, and the "Mega-Bass" option really doesn't
sound
as nice as the DT-180V's DBB (deep base boost). I suspect that the extra
goodies in the SRF-S84's circuit board are for the FM audio circuitry, since
there certainly isn't any improvement in AM performance compared to the
SRF-59.
The SRF-S84 is extremely small at 3" x 1.5" x .65", and even with a single
AAA battery and ear bud phones, weighs all of 2.16 ounces. Hopes this answers
your questions a little, Gil. This model is probably not going to catch on
like wildfire, to put it mildly.
73 and Best Wishes,
Gary DeBock.
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
[email protected]
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its
editors, publishing staff, or officers
For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
To Post a message: [email protected]
