It's a year later than the original op's post, but I just got mine and am overjoyed - finally someone got it right.
I was so impressed with the CCrane Pocket and original Skywave, that I decided to pop for the SSB version. No, it will not replace my desktop, but it is the only ssb capable dsp driven radio in this form factor that didn't make me laugh.
Quick notes:
Like the original Skywave, the way CCrane implements the common SiLabs dsp chips just sound the best. Most of the other manufacturers leave me with a "digital hangover", but not so with CCrane.
CCrane and even the respected Jay Allen reviews may tend to downplay the high-fidelity side. Far from it. Sure, the front speaker lacks bass, but what IS produced is fully articulate, and due to the way CCrane implements the dsp and audio amp, it has plenty of super fast transient response. In practical terms, this means for a bedside setup, you may actually turn the audio lower, yet still hear all the detail you need without shrieking. If one isn't used to a fast accurate transient response from a small speaker, similar to a high-end speaker setup coming out of a palm-sized box, then the brain may make a knee-jerk decision.
Headphones / earbuds: The supplied buds are ok for comms and general music. But the dsp audio output - again the way ccrane utilizes the SiLabs chipset compared to other dsp radios I've had - is superior. I actually prefer the inexpensive Sennheiser MX-365 earbuds (with pads ON) which have a fuller more accurate response for long FM stereo broadcast listening.
AND, it has enough output to drive low-impedance phones like my classic AKG K240's, along with Sennheiser studio monitor cans with great fidelity. If a defect in audio is to be found, I'll find it with those - but the Skywave / SSB hides nothing, nor reveals any major flaws. I can get lost for hours doing the hi-fi thing.
Contesting comm phones, like my RadioSport RS-20's also have no issue with the Skywave / ssb.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are good budget earphones / buds out there, but yes if you DO spend a bit more, you WILL hear a difference that the ccrane is actually capable of reproducing. But I understand the need not to go as far as I would from an unbelievable marketing aspect.
No "digital hangover" either. I can't do more than about 15 minutes on my Tecsun PL-880.
SSB is just awesome so far. Stability is fantastic. Although yeah, there is chuffing when using the vfo knob for fast and slow, but when using fine tuning there is none. Very nice.
SSB AGC:
The big killer that makes preceding dsp driven ssb pocket radios a joke was how they handled RF/AF agc during large swings of signal strength. FINALLY, CCrane got this to be usable! Although not perfect, I didn't just toss it back on the drawer with disgust. I never thought I'd see the day, but they did a fine job with AGC. Yeah, sure SSB and CW has a tad bit of fast-attack overshoot, but it is totally tolerable for this form factor.
I suppose hat's off to the engineers who got a chip designed for steady-state / slow fade signals to handle fast attack of higher strength of ssb and cw signals. It isn't that good that you could just transplant the circuit into a desktop receiver, but again in this form factor, the CCrane got it right.
Fine-Tune: If anything, I kind of wish that when storing a ssb memory, it would also remember the fine-tune position. Not a deal breaker.
Airband - the addition of memory scanning is very welcome and fast enough for comfortable use. The light does stay illuminated during scans, and I'd prefer it to time out. Again, not a deal breaker. Somebody probably likes it that way. Of course a usable squelch is appreciated.
Soft-mutes when changing bands, turning the rig on and off etc are especially welcomed during headphone use.
I could go on forever, (anyone reading my Pocket or Skywave reviewes is already aware of my rambling), but the last word for me would be to answer the common question:
"Is the Skywave SSB really worth almost twice what the original Skywave is priced at if you truly need ssb?"
YES IT IS.