- Time Record AM/FM/Aux-In/SD Programs anytime automatically
- 2 Alarm Timers-Radio and Buzzer
- 5 AM and 5 PM Presets
- Line out for external amplifier
- Recording Code: MP3 format, stereo, 64k/128k/192 kbps
Unit takes 'C'-size batteries, and seems to go through them pretty fast. Much, much shorter battery life than the C. Crane CC Radio which uses D cells.
The white finish seems to resist scratches very well, but will show smudges and dirty fingerprints. Key-lock feature blocks button inputs, but the volume control is NOT locked it's a real potentiometer, not a digital volume control (pros and cons to this).
MP3 controls are horrible really needs a firmware update to de-bounce the fastforward and reverse functions on the rocker. Will only go one speed in FF, when it would be nice to have it speed up after 5-10 seconds depressed. Navigation of folders and MP3 files is really crude. Records in 1-hour per file. You can't use the Fast Reverse to access the end of a file, and if you're patient enough to hold the FF to get there, any hesitation on the button will bump to the next file.I ordered the Sangean PR-D8 months ago before it was actually even released, and after shipping delays, my order being canceled due to uncertain shipping date,etc., I re-ordered. I am glad I did! I love this radio (and I hate to call it that because it is SO much more!). The reception is fantastic on this (and I do not even put the antenna up!), the speakers are awesome and sound like a very large boom box is in the room, rather than this tiny radio. It is just unbelievable! There are 3 sound settings (news, music, and something in between which is what I usually use, as the music setting seems too boomy and the news seems to sound better for talk). Anyway, I just love the SD card player! I have looked for something like this forever!!! I put about 20 CDs on my 4GB SD card, popped it in, and it played them all w/out any problems at all. There is a search button that shows you all the folders on the SD card, so you can choose which CD you want to play. I have this stereo in our large bathroom, and it fills the room with music while I shower. I was considering the Sangean shower radio before purchasing this, but I really wanted the SD card feature, which that model did not have. I mostly use this on AC, but have tried it on batteries for an entire day and it did not really use them much at all (there is a battery indicator on it). Only 3 things I could wish for with this: 1) that when running on AC, the light should stay on (rather than go off after a set period of time) so I can see the clock from across the room, 2) I wish it had some way to hang it on the wall (ie. bracket or holes on back), and 3) the AC plug comes that out of the side should be an "L" shaped plug so it is more invisible when you are trying to hide the cord... it just sticks out way too far from the left side of the radio. Overall, I am very happy with the Sangean PR-D8, and I am so glad I waited for this model! You will not be sorry if you order one! In fact, I want a couple more for other rooms now!! (I just wish the price were lower though)We use this in our newly remodeled master bathroom. FM reception is great. We have always had issues with getting good FM reception where we live and that is why I purchased this brand. The SD card option for mp3 is also perfect. I put in a Class 6 8Gig SD card and navigation around the sd card is nice and fast. The ONLY thing that this radio is missing is a handle. I knew that going into it. Everything else on my list was either satisfied or exceeded with this radio.I have been looking for something that does what the Sangean PR-D8 for a long time. I'm a big fan of NPR and I also listen to a lot of spoken word presentations like audiobooks, podcasts, and the such. I have my what my wife calls a fetish for radios and have over a half dozen radios of all shapes and sizes. When I do work around the house or relaxing in our hot tub, I'd like to be able to listen to a podcast or maybe baseball or football game. And listening off my MP3 player with earbuds is either impractical or a bit of a pain after several hours.
For years, I've wanted something to playback audiobooks or podcasts with an external speaker. I had been using MP3 playback CD boombox but had going through three of those over the past 5 years. I also had purchased an small MP3 player with an external speaker, but that little speaker just didn't have enough power to be heard more than three feet away.
There was just nothing on the market that did what I wanted -that is until Sangean offered up the PR-D8. This is nearly everything I wanted and more. I now have a radio that plays back MP3 files with a robust speaker. Plus I also get a device that allows me to record over-the-air radio programs and has an Aux-in jack for recording. Woo-woo.
The speaker is mono-only, but that doesn't bother me since I primarily use it for play back spoken word presentations. The sound the speaker's put out is a real joy when I think back to having to wear earbuds in the past.
I also like folder style organization of files. The files are on the SD card just like a folder on your computer. And there's no need for music management program that forces you to do things only the way it will allow.
I have recorded a couple programs off the air and it worked quite well. I will be using it to transfer over a large cassette collection very soon.
I do agree with people who think that is sort of bulky. I didn't read the dimensions and was sort of surprised by its size. I was expecting something about the size of a portable transistor radio, but it certainly is not pocket-sized by any means. My biggest concern about size was that I was hoping to take it when travel and I'm not so sure that this will work.
My biggest problem with this unit is the fast-forward feature or really the lack of a practical one. Although, the controls look much like an early iPod controls, the rewind on MP3 back just doesn't work at all and fast-foward feature is almost impossible to use. I've twice been into a one hour program when I wanted to go back and listen to a segment. When I attempted this, the rewind took me back to the beginning of the segment. Then when I tried to fast forward, the player would jump forward to the next file 4 or of 5 times and when I did get the fast-foward to work it only creeps along at around twice the normal speed. One slip of your finger while fast-fowarding will also make you skip to the next file. Plus it has no bookmarking feature.
So, listening to long audio segments isn't always the most practical thing do on this device. Despite this critical failure, I'm still happy with this device as it is a long sought after device.
It also has a great sleep feature which I use every night. I'm sure I will learn more trick soon as I have only had the unit for about a month.
PROS
MP3 play back with a decent sounding external speaker
Good AM & FM radio reception
tons of recording options with line in and over-the-air recording
External inputs
Uses SD cards which are plentiful and cheap
takes rechargeable batteries
lighted control panel (great for night work)
CONS
It's a bit bulky
Fast forward on MP3 play back is frustrating and almost impossible.
No bookmarking of files
BTW: When researching this device before purchasing it, I actually called Sangean because their website said that they would be introducing the PR-D9 soon and I wanted to know if they were fixing some of the flaws with the D-8. I spoke with a representative of Sangean and he said they were not going to include MP3 playback with the D9. So, instead of waiting for something new to appear on the market, I went with the D-8. I just hope it gives me many years of service.
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As a highly anticipated gift for Christmas, I received this radio/recorder for the specific purpose of recording Coast2CoastAM in the off hours for later enjoyment. It is a very good AM/FM receiver and has an equally good MP3 recorder built-in. It has all the necessary features to start and end recordings at will. One issue I have with the playback of MP3 files is the FF>> button is hard to keep from actually stopping and thus resetting the counter back to zero very annoying. Also, the 3-way tone switch is not tailored to the sound frequencies I'm accustomed to. Finally, the price is high for a unit without an SD card and rechargeable batteries. Bank on spending another $50-$60 for those items. Although this is a niche device, I absolutely recommend it for the purpose I'm using it for and wouldn't be without it by my side. Throw in the batteries and SD card, then it would be a perfect 5!
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