Like your review! I agree with just about everything you say. My 7600GR still works fine, but it was already a "marmite"- radio when it hit the shops 20odd years ago. I actually only use it if I stumble over a SW-situation where the SYNC really can help. Otherwise I work with the Tecsun 501, 680, 330. But as you said, the Tecsun-SYNC just can't compete! But one thing I have to say to save the Sony's reputation: once you learn how to work with it it is a very good radio. It has excellent overload capabilities and is fairly good at separating strong signals close to each other, crossover. As with most radios, it really only shines on the long wire antenna. I have it regularly connected to my 134foot long wire and it does not eben brake a sweat. But one thing is sure: it can't compete with the Tecsun 501 downwards right down to the 680. The only thing it does better is the SYNC. But, it is a lovely retro-radio to enjoy from time to time! Happy Easter and best wishes from Ireland!
I have the ICF 7600GR that was my travel radio, yes it is a bit of a learning curve but you get used to it. Nice radio for its time, it has been retired and replaced by the Tecsun 990X which is far far better in all that it does. The Sony is still in use in the bathroom where it has 3 presets for AM and FM signals. I think I really like the 7600GR because my first SW was the Sony ICF 7600 and that radio literally brought me the world. I think I actually prefer the 7600 to the 7600GR but thats just nostalgia. Thx for the review Gilles.
Thank you for your review. I also find that using this radio is cumbursome...I miss a separate tuning knob. I did not realize that the external antenna jack is powered. My current interest is the latest Malahit version DSP 3. I would really like to get your review of the Latest Malahit radio. Thanks.
Great wee set, I have a mint set which I do use from time to time, a bit over sensitive to external antennas imo and nearly as good as the much cheaper XH data d808, overall the Sony is a great set but in typical Sony fashion wildly overpriced when new and a bit difficult to use due to the tiny side located switches on the right hand side of the set. I will keep it along side my much older ICF2001, I must admit I am a hoarder of older tech SW radios.
Entering a frequency and then pressing ENTER is correct, but since the radio knows that you finished entering the frequency, that's where you made a mistake!
At 6:00 minutes into the vlog: After using this radio for many years I was surprised to learn that there is voltage on the external antenna jack. I use resonant loop antennas on SW which have a low-impedance secondary coil with direct input to the jack. These have always worked very well. At dc, this produces a direct short across the jack terminals. I measured the voltage at 3.8 Vdc, and the current at about 7 microamps. This would put the impedance in the range of 540 kohms. I’m not sure what’s going on here. The AN-1 antenna (I have never had one) is powered by six AA batteries producing 9 dc. It is curious that the Sony ICF-2010 also uses the AN-1, but does not have a voltage at the external antenna jack. Bottom line: I’m not going to worry about it. Anyone have any further info?
Gee, you mean there is a radio that makes you hit a key before entering the frequency and then hit another one afterwards? How inconvenient! (see also XHDATA D-808.)
I have that radio. It is not the best Sony radio that I ever had. I don't use the external antenna because of that power in it. I have never heard any FM breakthrough in my 7600. I got mine when my ICF 2002 died. I would much rather have a 2002 than the 7600.
Does this radio external antenna functional on long wave band? I have sangean ats909x2 and the external antenna useless on long wave I’m using mla-30+ antenna and when passively coupled to the radio it picks stations on lw but if I attach it directly it overloads i have Tucson pl-330 same issues.
I bought mine in 2009 and still works flawlessly to this day. One of the best from Sony. Keeping it forever!
Like your review! I agree with just about everything you say. My 7600GR still works fine, but it was already a "marmite"- radio when it hit the shops 20odd years ago. I actually only use it if I stumble over a SW-situation where the SYNC really can help. Otherwise I work with the Tecsun 501, 680, 330. But as you said, the Tecsun-SYNC just can't compete! But one thing I have to say to save the Sony's reputation: once you learn how to work with it it is a very good radio. It has excellent overload capabilities and is fairly good at separating strong signals close to each other, crossover.
As with most radios, it really only shines on the long wire antenna. I have it regularly connected to my 134foot long wire and it does not eben brake a sweat. But one thing is sure: it can't compete with the Tecsun 501 downwards right down to the 680. The only thing it does better is the SYNC. But, it is a lovely retro-radio to enjoy from time to time! Happy Easter and best wishes from Ireland!
I have the ICF 7600GR that was my travel radio, yes it is a bit of a learning curve but you get used to it. Nice radio for its time, it has been retired and replaced by the Tecsun 990X which is far far better in all that it does. The Sony is still in use in the bathroom where it has 3 presets for AM and FM signals. I think I really like the 7600GR because my first SW was the Sony ICF 7600 and that radio literally brought me the world. I think I actually prefer the 7600 to the 7600GR but thats just nostalgia. Thx for the review Gilles.
Thank you for your review. I also find that using this radio is cumbursome...I miss a separate tuning knob. I did not realize that the external antenna jack is powered. My current interest is the latest Malahit version DSP 3. I would really like to get your review of the Latest Malahit radio. Thanks.
Great wee set, I have a mint set which I do use from time to time, a bit over sensitive to external antennas imo and nearly as good as the much cheaper XH data d808, overall the Sony is a great set but in typical Sony fashion wildly overpriced when new and a bit difficult to use due to the tiny side located switches on the right hand side of the set. I will keep it along side my much older ICF2001, I must admit I am a hoarder of older tech SW radios.
Entering a frequency and then pressing ENTER is correct, but since the radio knows that you finished entering the frequency, that's where you made a mistake!
I have a Sony ICF-SW55 that I really enjoy.
Great review thank you!
At 6:00 minutes into the vlog: After using this radio for many years I was surprised to learn that there is voltage on the external antenna jack. I use resonant loop antennas on SW which have a low-impedance secondary coil with direct input to the jack. These have always worked very well. At dc, this produces a direct short across the jack terminals. I measured the voltage at 3.8 Vdc, and the current at about 7 microamps. This would put the impedance in the range of 540 kohms. I’m not sure what’s going on here. The AN-1 antenna (I have never had one) is powered by six AA batteries producing 9 dc. It is curious that the Sony ICF-2010 also uses the AN-1, but does not have a voltage at the external antenna jack. Bottom line: I’m not going to worry about it. Anyone have any further info?
Gee, you mean there is a radio that makes you hit a key before entering the frequency and then hit another one afterwards? How inconvenient! (see also XHDATA D-808.)
haha you made me realize that it does also haha
My Sangean ATS-405 is like that too, and if memory serves me right, my old Grundig G4000A.
ATS-909x2 as well. Press F, punch in frequency, hit the enter key.
In case i want to buy this radio in india, where can i buy the same.
I have that radio. It is not the best Sony radio that I ever had. I don't use the external antenna because of that power in it. I have never heard any FM breakthrough in my 7600. I got mine when my ICF 2002 died. I would much rather have a 2002 than the 7600.
Does this radio external antenna functional on long wave band? I have sangean ats909x2 and the external antenna useless on long wave I’m using mla-30+ antenna and when passively coupled to the radio it picks stations on lw but if I attach it directly it overloads i have Tucson pl-330 same issues.
No, the Sony does not like external antennas especially on SW.
👍👍👍