Vintage Expensive -vs- Modern Midrange SDR's

[Omega-TI]

I've always wondered how an higher end vintage receiver would match up against a modern mid-range SDR with the same antenna. Has anyone ever done a head to head comparison like this? If so, the results would probably be fascinating.

 

[tuihill]

I have been running a Drake R8B and an AirSpy HF+ Discovery side by side off an Alpha Delta 66' Sloper through a proper antenna switch.
I find the results to be very similar though the Drake has better fidelity. I listen to both through my Bluetooth hearing aids.
I haven't done any real shootout type testing but generally, anything receivable on one is also equally there on the other.

 

[Token]

I've always wondered how an higher end vintage receiver would match up against a modern mid-range SDR with the same antenna. Has anyone ever done a head to head comparison like this? If so, the results would probably be fascinating.

Might help if you give a quick few examples of what you mean by "higher end vintage" and "mid-range SDR". Also, what specifications are important to you?

I own and have used things like AirSpy HF+ Discovery and SDRplay RSPdx SDRs next to things like NRD-515/535 or an R390. Although I consider those SDRs to be very good values (good performance, modest price), the traditional receiver came out on top in many ways, both quantifiable and intangible. On the other hand, the WinRadio G33DDC equals pretty much any traditional receiver I have used.

With that said, I would recommend an SDR like the HF+ Discovery or RSPdx to most new users over the classic receivers, if for no other reason than the potential sustainment problems of the older receivers.

T!

 

[Omega-TI]

I suppose the SDRPlay against your NRD-515 might make a good example. I'm wondering if the high end radios of the time and the new SDR's are someone evenly matched. Kind of a bang for the buck sort of thing, factoring for pre-inflation costs of the older rig.

 

[Token]

I suppose the SDRPlay against your NRD-515 might make a good example. I'm wondering if the high end radios of the time and the new SDR's are someone evenly matched. Kind of a bang for the buck sort of thing, factoring for pre-inflation costs of the older rig.

Short answer, in my opinion the SDRPlay RSPdx is generally a better option / value than the NRD-515 today. Especially so when talking bang for buck. Note I did not say it was a better radio, but rather the better option or value. If for some reason I could only keep one of the two it would probably be the SDR (but oh what a crappy decision that would be). And specifically I would probably keep the RSPduo vs the RSPdx, for other reasons. Now add the G33DDC or G35DDC to the mix and it is a no brainer to keep the G33 / 35.

The NRD-515 is just the better radio, period, better noise floor, better detected audio, probably (I have not actually measured it myself using test equipment) more sensitive, etc. But I think it (this decision) depends on your use. If you are listening to SWBC stations, more an SWL than a Ute, then the NRD-515 just sounds better to me, with fewer potential reception issues. And (again, opinion) the knobs / buttons / readouts just make the SWL experience better. On the other hand, if you are chasing more transient type signals the waterfall of the SDR makes it the better answer, with little doubt. Regardless, the SDR (in this case RSPdx) is a "good enough" receiver that the positives can outweigh the negatives, especially considering the cost difference.

What is a really good condition, clean with no issues at all, NRD-515 selling for these days, $800+? An equal condition 535 is probably in the same price ballpark. Now add something like the NVA-515 or NVA-319 speaker to that. Probably pushing $1k combined for a really nice example. And the SDRdx-R2 is like $225?

With regards to "sound" and SDRs, keep in mind the importance of the sound card and speaker system in this equation. A good sound card and good audio amp / speakers is not the same as lower end audio, and will not sound the same. This is generally not an issue with a decent desktop receiver, but is for SDRs. If you compare an SDRs "sound", using something like a laptops built in speakers, to a good desktop with a nice speaker (be it internal or external), that is not quite fair.

In my case, when at my primary listening desk, all radio audio (assuming the radio has line level out) goes to the Behringer X32 Rack / S16 digital snake, and from there to one of the external audio amplifiers / speaker setups. The primary audio goes two places, a set of Bose 700 Headphones and a 2 channel 6L6 tube amp (a cheap Douk Audio F5, but sounds OK), from the amp to a set of Infinity Reference bookshelf speakers. So in my case when I pull up a radios audio I am generally listening to whatever radios I am comparing via the same headphones or audio amp and speakers. Mostly an apples to apples sound comparisons, as it were.

The X32 allows me to ship any radio audio (assuming line level available) to any external amplifier for listening (3 amps, 3 sets of speakers for listening, including the house sound system) or any computer for recording (7 computers at the listening desk for recording or signal analysis).

T!