Something in line like the Icom R75 and would like a new one for warranty issues. I do not really want an obsolete model that is no longer supported like the problems I am having now with the Icom R71a.
For the price range you posted, from less than $500 to $1000, the choices new are fairly limited.
The Icom R75 you have already mentioned. Probably the best stand alone receiver in the price range you have quoted. If you really want a traditional tabletop radio with knobs then the R75 is hard to beat. The audio improves if you use an external speaker, as the internal is a little small.
The Palstar R30A is a bit more expensive than the R75 but still in your price range. It is better than the R75 in some ways, but not others. In my opinion the R75 is a better complete package.
There is a new Alinco, the DX-8RT, that is in your price range. It combines a sound card SDR with a traditional knob tuned radio. But, it is really new and not too many reviews out on it yet. I have not used one personally.
And those are about it for what you have described, a new desktop SW radio under $1000.
Now, the selection expands a bit if you include computer controlled radios and SDRs.
The WinRadio G31DDC Excalibur is an excellent SDR and runs about $900 or a little less. In my opinion this is possibly the best sub $1000 radio on the market today.
The RFSPace SDR-IQ is a very good radio for the price, $500, again an SDR. Not perfect mind you with some shortcomings, but generally as good as the R75 in most ways and better in several.
The WinRadio G303e is a computer controlled receiver that the manufacturer calls an “SDR”, but it probably should not carry that label. It is, however, a good radio for the cost, about $600. Its big brother, the G313e, is a really good radio, but over your cost bracket.
The Ten Tec 320D is a low cost decent computer controlled radio. Not quite up to the others discussed, but a good bit less expensive.
If you move the cost window up some there are a few more options, both in tabletops and SDR/computer controlled. But really there are some good units in your cost range.
Seriously, if I could only buy one SW radio right now, and it had to be under $1000, I would opt for the WinRadio G31DDC Excalibur. The problem is it is an SDR and that means it must be connected to a computer to work at all. And then the question arises, in 10 years will you be able to put together a system to support the radio, one with an OS that is compatible and the correct com port. To me the Excalibur performance is worth the fact that 10 years from now I might not be able to use it, others might not share that sentiment.
If you have to have a traditional tabletop with knobs then the R75 is a very good choice. I quite like mine, but as I am hooked on the SDR concept the R75 ends up doing backup duty most of the time.
T!
