Thanks a lot for this very interesting video, John. I too have a R390A, and TS590S. A KX2 is on its way to my QTH, so I haven't had yet the chance to test it. My R390A (which is also an EAC) is connected to a Sherwood sync detector, and the combination of that element with the mechanical filters of the R390A produces the best results I have ever heard both on AM and SSB. On CW however, the 590 is the clear winner with its noise reduction features. I am burning to lay my hands on the KX2 and see what it does and how it compares to the other two. 73!
No solid state rig will ever sound as good as tube driven audio....that's just how it is. I would've liked to have heard those radios output through the same speaker.
Of course the R390 has a much wider bandwidth, rf and af, than either of the other two. I serviced R-390's in the 1960's so I have a soft spot for them.
YES, the R-390A has 16 Kc max rf bandwidth setting and the other two a max of 5. Routing the audio from the detector/if stage to an external amp also improved the AF. I acquired the R-390A about a year ago and love being able to listen to SWBC music in "hi fi". It is an amazing feat of engineering.
And now, as the KX2 is primarily a portable radio, make same test after carrying all three devices including necessary power supplies on any true SOTA mountain 😂
Haha! No thanks to hauling my R390A and generator up a mountain! I have a MTR4B for such activities. The KX2 is perfect for traveling; I have used it backpacking and from the EU and SA. The advantage of the R390A is it's beautiful audio - and (I admit) as eye candy; . The KX2 is more sensitive/selective - as well as being more portable. One radio does not fit all...or at least that is my excuse for having 6 HF rigs... :)
Thanks for the nice comparisons. I have the KX3 and with an external speaker it's a good little SW receiver. I've never had the pleasure of an R390 but I did have a Hammarlund SP 600jx with an upgraded speaker. It was a great radio and if I had the space I'd still have it. My Kenwood is a TS570 and I don't think it has as nice a sound as your 590. The closest thing I have to a "boat anchor" now is a completely refurbished Yaesu FRG7 and the sound is wonderful. I'm curious about your antenna. Would you be willing to tell us what you used? Keep making videos! You have a nice relaxed style. de n0wdm
Thanks Michael! My antenna is a full sized G5RV up 75ft between two cedars on a city lot (102 ft dipole fed with a matching section of 31 ft of ladder line to 50ft of RG8X. ) I also have a 3 element quad, but the G5RV plays better for SWL'ing. The reason my videos appear "relaxed" is 'cuz I make them up as I go along and don't edit them. "Cinema Verite' " - warts and all... haha.
Agreed. The KX2 certainly does not have the punch or fidelity of the others...but I obtained it for ham use not SWL'ing, so it is not an issue for me. On the R390A, I captured the audio from the IF before the audio amp and routed through a small 20w amp and decent speakers - so listening to a relatively strong shortwave or AM BCB station with the 390 "Bandwidth KC" control set @ 16 is almost like listening to FM broadcast. It IS a sweet unit and a pleasure to listen to.
I am sure having a 5khz max bandwidth makes a big difference in fidelity...as you note, it is a ham rig - AM was an afterthought. (BTW, I originally noted the 390 had a "20 kc" max filter setting...that was in error, it is actually a max of 16 kc - which I corrected in the copy)
Ron Fletcher I really like the TS590's selectivity.The filtering is excellent; on crowded bands, you can get close to strong CW stations and copy weak ones... It is amazing radio for the money.
John Parnell Thanx. I'm upgrading from Ft-890 to the ts-590s and hope I can eventually get my gen and extra. I think this radio will fill the bill. Thanx again !!
Thanks a lot for this very interesting video, John. I too have a R390A, and TS590S. A KX2 is on its way to my QTH, so I haven't had yet the chance to test it. My R390A (which is also an EAC) is connected to a Sherwood sync detector, and the combination of that element with the mechanical filters of the R390A produces the best results I have ever heard both on AM and SSB. On CW however, the 590 is the clear winner with its noise reduction features. I am burning to lay my hands on the KX2 and see what it does and how it compares to the other two. 73!
No solid state rig will ever sound as good as tube driven audio....that's just how it is. I would've liked to have heard those radios output through the same speaker.
Of course the R390 has a much wider bandwidth, rf and af, than either of the other two. I serviced R-390's in the 1960's so I have a soft spot for them.
YES, the R-390A has 16 Kc max rf bandwidth setting and the other two a max of 5. Routing the audio from the detector/if stage to an external amp also improved the AF. I acquired the R-390A about a year ago and love being able to listen to SWBC music in "hi fi". It is an amazing feat of engineering.
And now, as the KX2 is primarily a portable radio, make same test after carrying all three devices including necessary power supplies on any true SOTA mountain 😂
Haha! No thanks to hauling my R390A and generator up a mountain! I have a MTR4B for such activities. The KX2 is perfect for traveling; I have used it backpacking and from the EU and SA. The advantage of the R390A is it's beautiful audio - and (I admit) as eye candy; . The KX2 is more sensitive/selective - as well as being more portable. One radio does not fit all...or at least that is my excuse for having 6 HF rigs... :)
Thanks for the nice comparisons. I have the KX3 and with an external speaker it's a good little SW receiver. I've never had the pleasure of an R390 but I did have a Hammarlund SP 600jx with an upgraded speaker. It was a great radio and if I had the space I'd still have it. My Kenwood is a TS570 and I don't think it has as nice a sound as your 590. The closest thing I have to a "boat anchor" now is a completely refurbished Yaesu FRG7 and the sound is wonderful. I'm curious about your antenna. Would you be willing to tell us what you used? Keep making videos! You have a nice relaxed style. de n0wdm
Thanks Michael! My antenna is a full sized G5RV up 75ft between two cedars on a city lot (102 ft dipole fed with a matching section of 31 ft of ladder line to 50ft of RG8X. ) I also have a 3 element quad, but the G5RV plays better for SWL'ing.
The reason my videos appear "relaxed" is 'cuz I make them up as I go along and don't edit them. "Cinema Verite' " - warts and all... haha.
John Parnell, thanks for your quick response. That's quite a wire antenna, especially the height.
The difference between the R390 and others is like night and day! I thought the Kenwood also a bit better than the KX2.
Agreed. The KX2 certainly does not have the punch or fidelity of the others...but I obtained it for ham use not SWL'ing, so it is not an issue for me. On the R390A, I captured the audio from the IF before the audio amp and routed through a small 20w amp and decent speakers - so listening to a relatively strong shortwave or AM BCB station with the 390 "Bandwidth KC" control set @ 16 is almost like listening to FM broadcast. It IS a sweet unit and a pleasure to listen to.
I wonder if that 20kHz setting makes a lot of the difference. I'd heard that the KX3 is quite narrow filtered, being designed for amateur use.
I am sure having a 5khz max bandwidth makes a big difference in fidelity...as you note, it is a ham rig - AM was an afterthought. (BTW, I originally noted the 390 had a "20 kc" max filter setting...that was in error, it is actually a max of 16 kc - which I corrected in the copy)
I want kx3 vs ts590sg comarisam
How well do you like the Ts-590s ?
Ron Fletcher
I really like the TS590's selectivity.The filtering is excellent; on crowded bands, you can get close to strong CW stations and copy weak ones... It is amazing radio for the money.
John Parnell
Thanx. I'm upgrading from Ft-890 to the ts-590s and hope I can eventually get my gen and extra. I think this radio will fill the bill. Thanx again !!
You can get great deals on used TS-590S's now that the TS-590SG version out - they are going on ebay for $600-700 now.
John Parnell
Yup. Bought one off eBay already. Like new original owner all boxes n manual. 2014 model. 725$
Smokin' Deal! Have fun!