Looking for small AM/FM cassette recorder with good reception & AUX input

[music2go]

Hi Everyone,

I've recently been looking for an old-style portable AM/FM radio / cassette recorder. Sometimes it would be used as an amplified speaker, which is why it needs to have the AUX input. Other times, it would be for making recordings off the radio, so excellent reception will definitely make a difference. Also, it needs to have a tape counter, to make it easy to back up if I change my mind about something I'm recording.

I'm picturing something about a foot wide, 8" or so tall, and about 3" deep with a carrying handle. I'm looking for something with a single speaker (not stereo) to save space. I'd prefer to look at the front of the unit to see the tuning dial (rather than look down at the top).

Typically, the cassette bay is on one side and the speaker on the other. I'd like the cassette mechanism's buttons to be on top of the unit (rather than sticking out from the front).

If it records in stereo, that would be nice, but not required. It probably runs on several C or D cells. The speaker probably is about 4" in diameter, and should have very good sound quality, so it's pleasant to listen to long term while waiting for something good to record.

A Realistic model that might have fit the bill was on sale on ebay recently, but unfortunately my trigger finger wasn't fast enough and it got away...

So I'd be grateful to hear of any recommendations you might think of to help me know what to look for... Thank you in advance.

 

[Northerner]

A lot more love (and therefore knowledge) for big stereo units. Think I’ve only got one mono unit

 

[Helmar]

What about this Grundig?

 

[music2go]

Hi Helmar, Very nice suggestion! This reminds me of a Grundig TR-301 AM/FM radio that I almost bought as a child (ended up buying a tape recorder instead!). Those old Grundigs had very nice sound and reception. Great idea! Thanks.


Hi Northerner, I like the big ones as well (Mine is a Panasonic RX-DS650) Do you have a favorite in terms of coming closest to Hi-Fi sound?

 

[Ferguson3T18]

Hi, I have a suggestion, the Ferguson 3T18 or one of it variants which I believe are very similar see... http://wikiboombox.com/GE%203-5286A . I know these are bit bigger than you are looking for BUT the Ferguson 3T18 (and I would guess one of its variants) has excellent sound quality, excellent FM quality, a very well made good quality cassette player that makes excellent recordings AND a very good aux input. It is very clear and bright sounding with excellent mids (lacking a little in bass) which suits my taste but may be fatiguing if you prefer a warmer sound.

 

[Ferguson3T18]

Hi, just noticed you are in the US. I believe the Realistic SCR-6 or 14-776 and the GE 3-5286 are American models similar to the Ferguson 3T18.

 

[music2go]

Hi Ferguson3T18, Thanks for sending in this suggestion. You're right it's a bit larger than what I was thinking of originally, but I think it's close enough to really be worth considering - especially since it performs well! If I had to compromise on either the mids or the bass, I'd compromise on the bass and keep clear mids, so I'd probably like the sound...

 

[Ferguson3T18]

Hi Ferguson3T18, Thanks for sending in this suggestion. You're right it's a bit larger than what I was thinking of originally, but I think it's close enough to really be worth considering - especially since it performs well! If I had to compromise on either the mids or the bass, I'd compromise on the bass and keep clear mids, so I'd probably like the sound...

I forgot to mention that although FM radio is excellent MW and LW have poor reception so if LW and MW are important to you then these models may not be what you're looking for, but I'm assuming the radio's are basically the same across all those models I mentioned?

 

[music2go]

Thanks for pointing out the shortcomings of the MW and LW reception. It's a shame how common it is for the MW band to be neglected. On a good MW radio I should be able to hear the band noise between the stations but usually it's just circuit hiss. Well, it still shouldn't have too much impact on the main use I had in mind as a music collector .