[R-390] A vs non A

[Roger Ruszkowski]

Robert,
 
I am not your friend, but as a fellow who made a living for almost 8 years doing
service on R390 and R390/A I have learned a few things about both 
of these models of receivers. In my humble opinion a R390 is the better choice.
 
In maintenance they are even up.
 
But the R390 sounds so much better in your ear.
 
If you are just going to run a TTY setup then aR390/A will work.
 
But if you plan to listen to it like CW or AM or SSB, then the R390 is a clear choice.
 
If the better voltage regulators of the R390 worry you, solid state them.
 
So you want to own a tube radio and not have to do maintenance.
Go get a transistor radio and some light bulbs.
 
Doing the maintenace is just part of the product.
 
R390 IF's are no more complex than the R390/A 
Either can be done very well with a simple signal generator and volt meter.
 
The Sweep generator myth is in with moster gold plated Audio cable.
Can I sell you some old bridge stock? I have original paper certificates.
 
If you are doing your maintenace on time before you let it go up in smoke,
you will only need tubes. A broken slug spring can be fixed eithe rin a R390 or R390/A.