75A2 or 51-J3

[Carl WA1KPD]

Aside from the coverage differences, if you have had experience with both, in your opinion, which is better for 160 to 40 AM use?
Thanks
Carl

[WBear2GCR]

I have both... I've been using the 51J-3 aka R-388 as my main receiver for years.

Otoh, I have a 75A-2 with that aftermarket SSB product detector that plugs in the NBFM socket
and brings the knob out where the Collins chrome logo sits. That thing has got the best fidelity
SSB I have ever heard.

But I like the R-388 because I like to tune off to BC band and SW broadcast too...

I think you should have one of each?

[nq5t]

I've also had both.  Unless you want to spend time with MW or SW broadcast on the radio, I don't think you'd find a substantial difference for AM use on 160-40.

That said, of the several 75A-x radios I've owned, the 75A-2 was the first to go when I ran out of space.  I've had a couple of R-388s and three 51J-4s.  When I sold off my AM/BA collection in 2015/16 prior to a cross country move to a townhouse with no place to go with all the heavy stuff, much less have space to put up antennas, I kept two radios. One was a 51J-4 (it's a special one, and not very run of the mill).  The other one was the oft and unfairly maligned GPR-90 (and GSB-1/GSP-1), which is IMO the best and certainly the prettiest of the two dial radios from the era.

But if I had to choose between a stock 75A-2 and the R-388, I'd easily pick the the R-388.