was Re: [Collins] Best Receivers; now 51S1 critics.

[Park, Ted]

Team

I have a number of receivers including among others a Collins 75S-3B, a
Collins 51S-1 and a Collins R 388. I like every one of them! For amateur
communications using SSB and CW I prefer the 75S-3B. For ease of use in
SWLing and general band cruising I prefer the 51S-1 and for AM
ragchewing on 75 meters and actually listening to foreign broadcast
station music I prefer the R 388 although I do *not* like the standard
audio on the R 388...for either AM ragchewing or listening to foreign
broadcast stations....so I have installed an optional switchable wide
bandwidth filter for AM reception and I use a retuned Central
Electronics "SIDEBAND SLICER" hooked up between  the standard 500 KHz IF
output of the R 388 and an old (but fully restored) Heathkit A9A 20 watt
push pull 6L6 high fidelity amplifier connected to a good Jenson 10 inch
high fidelity speaker and enclosure...the R 388 now sounds *great* for
AM ragchewing and foreign broadcast listening..at least to my ears.
Yes...I understand and appreciate that the R 388 audio was intentionally
designed by Collins to enhance military voice communications capability
and not high fidelity.....I simply wanted to hear AM fidelity from my R
388 the way it was appreciated 50 to 60 years ago on the old high end
boat anchor National (e.g NC-183)and Hallicrafters receivers (e.g. SX-42
and R-42 Bass Reflex Speaker). :-)

Best regards, Ted, K6XN 

Ps The 20 watt high fidelity amplifier and the Jensen speaker ensemble
in retrospect may seem to be overkill for the R 388...but I had them on
hand already and the combination really sounds *great* and visibly
impresses non-ham visitors to the radio room :-)