IC-R9500 vs IC-R9000

[IK2GNP]

I asked in a previous discussion about the differences between the good old R9000 against the actual ICOM flagship R8600.
Maybe the R8600 seems a little bit better in terms of performances.
But unfortunately I dropped the idea to buy the R8600 due to touch screen display (please see the other discussion).
Looking for such R9000, suddenly I had an unbelievable chance to get an R9500 in fascinating conditions. I did not believe how I was lucky.
The price was very good too, so the deal was done in a few minutes. It will be delivered next week.
So, I would like to know your opinion about any possible differences in performances between these fantastic receivers, as I have no chance to compare them side by side. What do you think?

 

[palmerjrusa]

Congratulations, by all accounts the IC-R9500 is probably the finest wideband receiver ever made.

 

[MDScanFan]

I enjoyed N9EWO's reviews of the R8600 and R9500 N9EWO Review : ICOM IC-R9500 DSP Wide Band Receiver

 

[Marcy57]

I asked in a previous discussion about the differences between the good old R9000 against the actual ICOM flagship R8600.
Maybe the R8600 seems a little bit better in terms of performances.
But unfortunately I dropped the idea to buy the R8600 due to touch screen display (please see the other discussion).
Looking for such R9000, suddenly I had an unbelievable chance to get an R9500 in fascinating conditions. I did not believe how I was lucky.
The price was very good too, so the deal was done in a few minutes. It will be delivered next week.
So, I would like to know your opinion about any possible differences in performances between these fantastic receivers, as I have no chance to compare them side by side. What do you think?

IK2GNP, I wish you all the best with your new receiver ! the 9500, hope
you enjoy it very much ! and happy monitoring, 73,s Marcy

 

[IK2GNP]

IK2GNP, I wish you all the best with your new receiver ! the 9500, hope
you enjoy it very much ! and happy monitoring, 73,s Marcy

Thank you so much. This deal happened almost like a joke.
One person had this receiver for sale, and the price was so good for a like-new device!
So I can't loose such a chance.

 

[Fast1eddie]

Congratulations and a very interesting read. I own a R9000 and have it paired with Icom Sp-34.
Very nice. Using a end fed half wave in the attic. Works very well.

 

[IK2GNP]

Well.... I was not so lucky as I believed at first.
Finally that R9500 was not so fascinating as it appeared, and I dropped the deal.
I shouted too early. No receivers here yet.
So I'm here again, looking for a really good R9500 or R9000.
Anyone knows about any possible stock in some part of the world?
I mean, any NOS (New Old Stock) like for tubes or other old electronic component? It is just an idea.
Or, if not, such used receiver in very good conditions? Thanks.

 

[bearcatrp]

That sucks. Just have to keep looking. Even used ones are fairly expensive. Folks who have them won't be selling theirs unless they need cash. Good luck on your searches. I don't think you would go wrong getting the R8600. I had the R8500 for a bit but upgraded. No regrets.

 

[IK2GNP]

I don't think you would go wrong getting the R8600. I had the R8500 for a bit but upgraded. No regrets.

Yes you are right. The R8600 seems the best receiver in the market yet.
But it has touch screen front panel display, and I can't use it due to my visual impairments.
This is the main reason for which I'm looking for a little bit older receiver having hard keyboard and speech features.
I just had the R8500 in the past. It was a good receiver but I sold it, and now I would like to upgrade to a bigger receiver. Thanks.

 

[Marcy57]

Ten-Tec 340 ...big bright blue display...large receiver! larger buttons and knobs
may help you?...had one, another receiver my dumb ass got rid of!!!
(only HF though..not a wideband receiver!)...it,s one big ! receiver I gotta
admit it really looks nice when on...but you are probably looking for
wideband ..receiver....just thought I would mention it best of luck 73,s
Marcy

 

[Marcy57]

Mistake list:
Kenwood R5000
Ten-Tec 340
AOR5000
and a few others! ...old I know but the Kenwood R5000 was awesome was into LW back then
and it was a winner hands down to me! anyhow whatever you choose IK2GNP good luck
look into the Ten-Tec 340 if you want something older? larger type communications
receiver...with a big push button keyboard ...73,s Marcy

 

[IK2GNP]

Yes I'm looking for a wideband receiver, not only HF.
So Ten-tec is not for me I'm afraid.... or I wrong?
Kenwood R5000 could be a very good solution, but I need to find one with the VHF module fitted (I believe it was an option).
Anyway, thank you for all your suggestions, very appreciated.

 

[IK2GNP]

Maybe JRC NRD-545 with additional VHF/UHF module could be another good solution.
But someone told me that this receiver was so deaf, particularly in the higher bands.
We are in the Icom section, I know that, but any opinion about 545 would be really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[palmerjrusa]

Maybe JRC NRD-545 with additional VHF/UHF module could be another good solution.
But someone told me that this receiver was so deaf, particularly in the higher bands.
We are in the Icom section, I know that, but any opinion about 545 would be really appreciated. Thanks.

I've kept my JRC NRD-545, though I've not used it in a while, it's safely stored away. Doesn't have the VHF/UHF module which, if I recall, had a reported high failure rate. I also have the JRC matching speaker.

As far as the radio itself, for its time it was a state-of-the-art HF receiver, the first with a continuously variable digital bandwidth feature.
The NRD-545 was typical of JRC radios, very high quality construction and aesthetically beautiful to behold.

If you're looking for a wideband receiver have you considered the AR5700D or a secondhand AR5000?

 

[KD9KSO]

The internal power supply issue would scare me away from the R9500. That is, or could be, a serious fault if it destroys the receiver. They know of three that it has actually happened to. What about the others that they don't know about?

 

[IK2GNP]

Yes I read about R9500's internal power supply failures, but I don't believe it was a so common problem. If so, probably a second version fixing the issues would be released shortly by Icom.
Regarding the AOR AR5700D.... well, I purchased new some months ago, sold immediately.
Ergonomic is very poor in my opinion and, most important, absolutely deaf particularly in the VHF range due to possibly low filtering from the commercial FM band. An external notch filter did not solved, so.... sold. Not for me.
I will evaluate the JRC if I will have the chance, but my goal remains always a good Icom R9500 or R9000. Thanks.

 

[IK2GNP]

And finally.... GOT IT!!
Found a "like-new" R9000 (like new, really!), including the UT-36 speech option. I jumped immediately.
Its quality is unbelievable. I knew that because I just tested this receivers in the past, but having one here in my shack with my antennas.... well, it is amazing. Not only in the HF bands, but also in VHF and upper.
I'm really happy with this purchase.
Just a question please: what is the right CRT brightness to avoid possible damages in long time?
Now I have the pot at about 12 o.clock position, what do you think? Thanks.

 

[bearcatrp]

Post so pics when you get time. How much did that purchase set you back?

 

[AI5QL]

Hey, Folks—Russ here. I have been looking for an R-9500 for over a year. I finally found a brand new one sold by a vendor in New York City and imported by a company in Hong Kong. After a two-week import process, it arrives tomorrow.

What I have to say below is not based on any hands-on experience with the rig, but a combination of hearsay and logical conclusions on my part—not to be taken as gospel—but rather just what I have heard:
(1) not sure whether Nick’s excellent and informative post on SWLING has been mentioned in this thread, but anyone considering pursuing a 9500 should listen to his several videos as their Bible.

(2) The overall negative (but probably fair) review given by N9EWO (and mentioned in this thread) seems more and more to have been due to an extremely early version of firmware. Almost every time the reviewer mentions a failing, he points out the early version. Nick, on the other hand, in over a full year, has experienced NO overheating or odd buzzing when relying on the internal power supply. Here’s hoping my unit will follow in that regard!

(3) Apparently, after the product was cancelled last year (in favor of the 8600???) enough parts existed to build something like ten units. I have no idea how many of that alleged batch remain available.

Best regards,

Russ

 

[lolbananalol2]

Hey, Folks—Russ here. I have been looking for an R-9500 for over a year. I finally found a brand new one sold by a vendor in New York City and imported by a company in Hong Kong. After a two-week import process, it arrives tomorrow.

What I have to say below is not based on any hands-on experience with the rig, but a combination of hearsay and logical conclusions on my part—not to be taken as gospel—but rather just what I have heard:
(1) not sure whether Nick’s excellent and informative post on SWLING has been mentioned in this thread, but anyone considering pursuing a 9500 should listen to his several videos as their Bible.

(2) The overall negative (but probably fair) review given by N9EWO (and mentioned in this thread) seems more and more to have been due to an extremely early version of firmware. Almost every time the reviewer mentions a failing, he points out the early version. Nick, on the other hand, in over a full year, has experienced NO overheating or odd buzzing when relying on the internal power supply. Here’s hoping my unit will follow in that regard!

(3) Apparently, after the product was cancelled last year (in favor of the 8600???) enough parts existed to build something like ten units. I have no idea how many of that alleged batch remain available.

Best regards,

Russ

I didn't know the product had been cancelled. The problem with the IC-R8600 Is that it uses a touch screen instead of more physical knobs and buttons for the radios functions. For someone like me who is blind this makes the radio pretty much useless. It's a shame because I've heard so many great things about this particular receiver.