[IRCA] Tecsun CR-1100 DSP-enhanced Full Size AM-FM Portable

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
Very impressed with the performance of the new Tecsun PL-300WT DSP-enhanced 
 Ultralight radio on medium-wave, it was a natural decision to place an 
order  with Amazon.com for the new full-sized Tecsun CR-1100 AM-FM portable, 
which uses  the same innovative Si430/31 DSP chip from Silicon Labs. Today my 
new  CR-1100 portable arrived from Kaito Electronics after a 4-day delay, 
and payment  of $69.99 plus $13.00 shipping (by USPS Priority Mail).
 
The CR-1100 is strictly a Chinese-market portable, to the extent that all  
of the controls are labeled only in Chinese. Despite this, Kaito has 
provided a  very basic (and poorly translated) English manual, as well as the 
standard and  far more thorough Chinese manual. The AM frequency steps have also 
been  reprogrammed to 10 kHz, matching the North American market.
 
Immediately after arrival, the radio's out-of-the-box AM performance was  
tested against a fully aligned Sony ICF-S5W portable (which has had the  
frequency coverage extended to 1700 kHz). The comparison of these two radios  
proved to be very interesting, and showed that while the CR-1100 has  some 
good DXing potential on AM, it also has some puzzling  shortcomings.
 
In comparison to the PL-300WT's sharp DSP-enhanced selectivity, the CR-1100 
 had a tough time going up against the ICF-S5W, with its common 455 kHz  
Murata filter.  Local slop on the CR-1100 was more troublesome than on the  
PL-300WT, making it seem like Tecsun programmed the DSP chip to provide a 
wider  selectivity setting on this music-oriented receiver. The ICF-S5W was able 
to  weakly receive KPQ-560 in the null of semi-local KVI-570 in the early 
afternoon,  while the CR-1100 could only produce KVI splatter. Low-band 
sensitivity on the  CR-1100 was very good, but not quite up to the class-leading 
ICF-S5W  standard. Although the CR-1100's low-band sensitivity will match 
that of  the PL-300WT, unlike the PL-300WT, the CR-1100 cannot tune in 1 kHz 
steps,  making it impossible to chase TP's on the 9 kHz splits.
 
The CR-1100 versus ICF-S5W contest became much more competitive on the high 
 band, however, and on the X-band the new Tecsun was clearly far more  
sensitive than the classic Sony portable. In fact, the CR-1100 sets a new  
standard for X-band sensitivity among portables, having weak signal performance  
never experienced in extensive testing here. Weak fringe stations that were  
barely audible on the ICF-S5W had solid audio on the Tecsun.
 
Also notable in the CR-1100 was the complete freedom from image reception  
of local stations, a major shortcoming of the classic ICF-S5W. The Sony's 
image  reception detracts greatly from its otherwise stellar performance, but 
the  Tecsun DSP chip appears to have solved the problem entirely.
 
After the out-of-the-box performance test, the CR-1100 was disassembled to  
check the loopstick construction, and the possibility of alignment. Both 
the  PL-300WT and CR-1100 were designed to have a "no alignment" RF system, in 
which  the DSP chip ensures maximum performance without loopstick peaking, 
or  adjustment of a 1400 kHz trimmer. In the CR-1100, there is a 4.25" x 
.36"  single-coil loopstick in the middle of the cabinet, which seems rather 
odd  because of the extensive cabinet space on both sides which would allow  
placement of a much longer ferrite bar, if desired. Alignment was attempted  
by shifting the coil, but this had no effect on the CR-1100's sensitivity on 
any  AM frequency. Apparently DXers will need to accept the CR-1100's  
sensitivity as delivered, unless they wish to transplant a larger ferrite bar  
with a coil of equal inductance (which is certainly possible with all the 
extra  cabinet space).
 
The CR-1100 also has a sensitive FM section, although again, for some  
unknown reason it seemed slightly less sensitive than that of the PL-300WT.  
Perhaps there is a greater impedance mismatch with the CR-1100's short whip  
antenna, but in any case the PL-300WT Ultralight can receive more weak FM 
fringe  stations here than the CR-1100.
 
The CR-1100 has a large music-oriented speaker and excellent audio,  with 
analog tone and volume control knobs. The 8-ohm speaker has a 1-watt  rated 
output. The radio also has 300 memories, and various digital tuning  
capabilities. It operates on 4 "D" batteries, and comes in an attractive  
black-brown cabinet. It is available from Amazon.com (via Kaito  Electronics) for 
$69.99 plus $13.00 shipping.
 
So after the full evaluation, what would be the CR-1100 verdict for a  
dedicated medium-wave DXer? If you are a domestic DXer that concentrates on  the 
upper frequencies (especially the X-Band), the new CR-1100 would be  tough 
to beat. Its upper-band sensitivity (and generally good  selectivity) is 
likely to set a new standard for contemporary portables. Urban  DXers will 
appreciate the complete freedom from image reception, and general  freedom from 
spurious products. Hobbyists who enjoy music reception will not be  
disappointed in the CR-1100's audio qualities. However, if you wish to  chase 
transoceanic DX, or wish to experience the maximum potential of the  exciting new 
Silicon Labs DSP chip, my recommendation would be to pass on the  CR-1100-- 
and go for the new PL-300WT Ultralight model. Its 1 kHz tuning ability  and 
stellar selectivity (plus superior FM sensitivity) make it the obvious  
choice for most medium-wave DXers.
 
73 and Best Wishes, 
 
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
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