Indeed it is yes.
I learnt today that Sony have finally stopped production of the highly
successful model ICF-SW7600GR radio
First it was the ICF-SW7600G released in 1994 which was upgraded to the GR
The GR boasted 10 times the memory locations - the G had 10 and the GR
100 - along with a RF Gain control - the G only had a Local/DX switch -
but apart from that both models were the same giving the user excellent
reception on the Long, Medium and Short Wave bands. On FM sensitivity
was very good but selectivity was very poor.
The ICF-SW7600 offered a very good Sync feature allowing the user to get
better reception of weaker stations, stop fading and so forth.
Many regard the 7600 as a reference for testing other radio sets.
The only complaint about the 7600 I have its its extremely bad audio
quality compared to other receivers.
The price of the 7600 has dropped markedly too since its introduction.
In Australia when I bought my first 22 years ago I had to pay near $500
for the radio but now the price has halved.
The 7600 was originally made in a Japanese factory with production
switching to Malasia though quality remained exactly the same.
It is a shame that Sony decided to discontinue this set, with DSP
technology as it is now Sony could have turned the 7600 into a real
killer radio.
Should you buy one whilst you can? Well that's a personal thing I guess
but for the money you can get just as good or even better a portable set
of around the same size, the Eton Satellite immediately comes to mind.
The Eton has just as good - if not better - sensitivity on Long, Medium
and Short Wave bands, with the addition of an Air Band.
FM on the Eton wipes the floor with the older Sony 7600 model and the
audio of the Eton Satellit is far nicer, wonderful bass and nice high
crisp treble which makes the radio sound a lot bigger than it actually is..
The Eton Satellite includes a wide/narrow filter selection of four
filters that the older Sony didn't have but certainly should have had in
my opinion.
Anyway if you have an older Sony ICF-SW7600G or GR than may it give you
many hours of happy listening still but you will be pleasantly surprised
if you're able to upgrade to an Eton Satellit or - for those on a
budget - a Sangean ATS405.
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Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves
