When I was a boy I loved my Aiwa TP-32A reel tape recorder, but the single most satisfying piece of electronic equipment I’ve ever owned is a GE Superadio III. I bought it for $40 in November, 1994, and today it gets regular use sitting in the window next to my computer.
HD Radio and Wi-Fi Radio are coming along, and there’s satellite radio of course, but plain, old AM/FM radio remains convenient and reliable. And the Superadio III, having analog tuning, is about as plain as it gets. What sets it apart is its exceptionally good, albeit mono, sound quality.
Recently, the company that makes the Superadio III, Thomson of France, changed the brand name from GE to RCA. Or maybe it’s being made by another outfit. Whatever. The product seems to be pretty much the same as it’s been for nearly 15 years. It remains the absolute cheapest self-contained hi-fi audio system that I know of.
Hi,
I’m sorry to say that the Superadio III has been discontinued. Finding one at a local retailer is hit-or-miss, but Amazon.com is supposed to have some in stock, although they’re showing a long delay in shipping. You might do better going with one of the other featured sellers. Click here to see the listing.
UPDATE 3-Oct-08 — The Superadio III is back, apparently, but it’s now listed as RCA RP7887 AM/FM Super Portable Radio. You’ll find it at that Amazon link above.
Hi.
Could you please advice as where a friend of mine can get this radio in LA area? He is returning soon to Europe so it is quite urgent?
Thanks in advance,
Miha
Excellent, and affordable! Thanks, vinyl master!
Transferring vinyl to a computer, with the intent of putting on an MP3 player or burning to CD, is something that people start with a great deal of enthusiasm. But after the first few albums you realize that it’s a lot of work.
If what you want is to simply play records, and not get hung up on sound quality, then something like this would do the trick.
Speaking of audio systems, I need advice on getting a good used record player. I procured a bunch of neat old Christmas records at Goodwill, but I know you won’t have time to transfer them for me. I know they have the new ones, but they are too pricey. What do you suggest?