|
N9EWO
Review : |
I
do NOT own a Ten-Tec RX-340. Test samples were used for the text
below.
Serial Numbers: 2001 Sample 1015x,
2005 Sample 1038x
Tested Firmware Version: (All 3
EPROMS, both samples) 1.10A
Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
No Wasted
Space / Outer Cabinet Strongly Advised
I was most impressed here with the cabinet. Tec-Tec did excellent
job here. It's of heavy gauge aluminum that is all of an "anodized"
nature. This might not be much of an issue, as many purchasers
will go for an optional cabinet of some kind.
Ten-Tec no longer offers a METAL tabletop outer cabinet (just a
strange looking wood one). A cabinet is strongly advised too, as
if you by accident (like I did) catch your hand or arm on the
"very sharp" ears of the 340's front panel, you can
take a nice gouge out of your skin. Ten-Tec does include 4 rubber
feet with screws to do "quickie" desktop mounting.
Hammond
Manufacturing offers
nice after market tabletop STEEL
cabinets in a Gray color with close depth of the receivers
cabinet. At one time Ten-Tec did offer an aluminum cabinet (# 19-0525),
but it was way too deep at 18.4 inches, and when mounted in this
cabinet the owner had to stick a hand a good ways in to access
connections of the actual rear panel. Awful it was.
Front Panel "Sticker" Not Stuck So Well
The front panel is too made of aluminum, but is of course much
thicker. Just as the WJ-8711A is, we have a large plastic "Stick
On" decal that contains the pretty side of the set including
the control markings and all of the panel lenses. However, on the
first test sample in the strip area just above the main display
to the top edge, the sticker was not sticking very well, more
like hardly at all. Was lifted right up. Pushing it back down
with your fingers was to no avail, because in just a few min's it
was lifting right back up again.
Not good on a over $4000. product. I'm assuming that the adhesive
on this sticker is failing due to just enough heat that the
entire cabinet gives off, that makes the decal not stick?? This
was never a problem with any of the WJ's (HF1000A or WJ8711A) I
have owned. However with the second test sample this was not an
issue.
Nice Quiet Switching Power Supply / Set runs generally
just warm
We have a nice quiet internal "Chinese"
Philhong switching power supply in the RX-340,
(PSA4541 model) with of course
a 3-wire plug and socket. No excessive RF buzzes,
and no strange noises being emitted into the room (i.e.: JRC NRD-301A
or NRD-93). Just a nice quiet little switching power supply that
does not run overly hot. But I would not block the top or bottom
panels, keep it open so the air can flow and you should never
have a problem here. The set has air vent holes on the top and
bottom.
The entire set does not run really hot, a bit warm I would say.
But it certainly does run a bit warmer than the WJ 8711A, which
really runs almost cold in comparison.
Excellent keypad and function buttons / Excellent main
optical "Tuning" encoder / "Aux parameter"
and "Memory Scan" knobs but touchy to adjust.
Robust factor of all of the front panel keys and buttons are well
above average. Not to say the failure rate is going to be any
better as they are using the "tact" variety type switch,
which is the same as what JRC is using in the NRD-545. But being
that the "hit" point of these switches is so good, that
this will certainly have add to a longer service life, than being
hit say at a wrong angle.
Main tuning knob is a real treat. Of course it is using an
optical type encoder. But it has a fantastic "smooth"
feel with no play or restriction whatsoever in any direction. Ten-Tec
went with an "Oak
Grigsby-ElectroSwitch"
high quality optical
encoder for the tuning knob and did it right. Properly weighted-rubber
track knob as well.
The other 2 encoders being used for the "Aux Parameter"
& "Memory Scan" knobs (made by HP) have a OK feel,
however the only fly in the pudding with these 2 controls is that
they are very "fiddly" to fine-adjust as they have no
indents. You sometimes find yourself playing with this longer
than you should be having to, for example when you are setting
the PBT to zero finding "0" can be a game. Can be a
real pain. You can however use the keypad to set the PBT (and
other functions) to "0" as well and this somewhat makes
up for this.
Tuning Knob Tension can get as free as one can ever get
it.
There is a way to adjust the tuning knob “flywheel”
tension.
While holding onto the main knob, one then turns the silver ring
part of the knob and you will feel clicks and allows for
adjustment. May turn out to be a bit tricky for people with less
than thin fingers.
But I was able to get it so loose where I could literally give it
a spin and let it go and have it tune from one end of it’s
range to the other without touching it again. Almost looked like
it was motor driven it was that free.
Excellent Ergonomics - Except For Memory Operations /
Scratch pad Memory
The great buttons / knobs help very much with the feel of the set,
but the ergonomics are also very good to my liking. The
"merry-go-around"
mode selection is a bit of a set back, but that is minor.
Only real downfall on the ergonomics is with memory recall and
storage. It takes more thought, presses of pushbuttons to get
what on the WJ would only take one press. I like the memory
layout MUCH better on the WJ.
Ten-Tec did indeed add more memories from the original version
with started out at 100. It was increased to 200 later on. But I
found 100 on the WJ to be most adequate and much less confusing.
I do like the scratch pad memory found on the Ten-Tec, that is
indeed handy, but again it makes the whole process of memories
even more confusing.
Memories do not store "Tuning Steps", but will store
SAM status.
Super Good Quality Volume Control / Really Poor Headphone
Control and Output.
Volume Control is of above average quality has a great feel and
movement. The control for the headphone level was a completely
different story however on the tested sample. First the level
that is available at the headphone jack is grossly inadequate,
even turned up to full rotation is wimpy.
But wait a second, better not turn up the control all the way
either. On the first tested sample the right channel of the
stereo headphones dropped out when fully rotated. Moved it a
pinch back counterclockwise and it came back. Also the feel of
this "headphone" control was poor to me. Could just be
a sample thing here, but the level of the headphone output is an
issue that needs to be looked into for sure.
UPDATE : Stereo Headphone Volume Control still continues
to be of Low Quality, and still lacking output as well.
With the first sample we had an issue with the
“Headphone” volume control cutting out when fully
rotated. Well with sample number 2 (2005) this was found be an
even greater problem. This time in two spots (when 32 ohm stereo
headphones were used), one near normal “lower” volume
level area and again at near full clockwise rotation, the output
cut out in one channel. This was very annoying and unacceptable.
Also the headphone level also continues to be a bit on the low
side. This will not be a problem with properly modulated signals,
but if it’s on the weak or weaker side...then “we have
a problem Houston”.
Display "Dimmer" / Main Display a Bit Brighter
On Right End On Test Sample / Meter Light Too Dim - when
Florescent Displays Are At Good Level. / Display Bug-A-Boo on
2005 2nd Test Sample.
The Ten-Tec RX-340 has 3 blue "Florescent" displays. 1
of course being a longer alpha type that displays the frequency,
mode and tuning step. It also gives feedback for the "Built
In Test Equipment" (BYTE). Sorry to say no alpha tags for
the memories, but with professional sets like this...you really
cannot expect this. The other 2 are smaller and made up of dots.
Probably these smaller are not quite as big as the WJ's, but OK
size.
But what is a requirement for florescent displays like this is a
"dimmer" control. And boy does the RX-340 need one.
Thank goodness it can be found, but is a bit elusive. It is
covered in the owners manual. Pushing and holding the "setup"
button and rotating the "Memory Scan" knob allows for
just about any brightness you want, even "almost" off.
If it was not for this, you would need a pair of sunglasses or a
bottle of aspirins as it is way too bright at 100% and would give
someone a good headache in short order.
I did notice on 1st test sample that the main (large) display,
towards the right side tends to be a touch brighter than the rest
of it. It's not something of a real nasty level but nevertheless
is a problem that I must comment on (It bothers me). The other 2
smaller dot-displays have no such of a problem.
There is a little gremlin with the "Dimmer" function.
The meter lighting is also tied into the same dimmer circuit as
the florescent displays. With the florescent displays set a good
level say at 20%, the meter lighting is so dim at this level to
be worthless.
S-Meter is nice and huge with markings that give the standard S-units
for most nonprofessional types along with dbm. It has been
reported that the lamp in this meter can and does burn out fairly
easy and is not a easy chore to replace (direct wired inside the
meter). Note: Later production samples now use LED meter
lighting (untested).
The main larger fluorescent display and associated electronics
with this display are made by Samsung in Korea.
As can be the case with fluorescent displays when quality control
is lacking, the 2nd test sample large main display while
operating properly, had inconsistent lighting in each of
it’s segments (of each digit). See the picture below. This
issue varies with intensity level, and is even more noticeable
when you reduce the brightness. Really should a $ 4000. receiver
have this bug at all (and the answer is a STRONG NO !!).
More I looked at this MAJOR display flaw, the more I hated this
receiver entirely !
The other 2 smaller displays were just fine with no issues unlike
with the main larger one.
Unacceptable "Main" Display with the RX-340's 2005 2nd
sample we tested.
Uneven lit segments with this Samsung made display.
The first 2001 sample never had this gremlin
(photo
:
N9EWO)
Tunes and
Displays 1 Hz Increments, "Rock" stable.
As it should be on a professional set of this caliber, we have 1
hz increments that are tuned and displayed. Set's display seems
to be very accurate as well at least within 1 hz, even at 15 MHz
and above. The TCXO is rated only at 1 ppm , most commercial
receivers are rated at bit better than this. But it seems to be
rock stable in any event. By the way , the WJ8711A is rated at .7
PPM as standard.
There is a 9 kHz tuning step (very early versions lacked this).
Audio Recovery Excellent / Excellent Sensitivity-Selectivity
,"But....." / SAM Has Selectable Sideband /
Breathtaking Manual ECSS with Fantastic PBT .
Audio recovery, that is pulling the spoken work from out under
the noise and static form a weak broadcast station, is way above
average on this set. But this is where the Watkins Johnson WJ8711A
wins (using manual ECSS using the USB or LSB modes). We are not
talking about a huge difference here, but it does have to edge to
my ears when signals get super weak. This more than likely has
something to do with the improved sensitivity that the WJ8711A
has. Also from test numbers elsewhere, the WJ has much improved
"close in" dynamic range. This is indeed noticed when
you are trying to listen to weak station as it sits next to a
stronger one, the WJ rules here...no contest.
Again to achive the excellent audio recovery one must use manual
ECSS (USB or LSB).Manual ECSS is simply breathtaking, and works
very well indeed. All SSB modes are extremely clean along with
fantastic PBT performance makes for a winning combination in this
area.
The RX-340 does have selectable sideband when using the SAM mode,
but it's sort of weird how they achieve this. You switch to SAM,
then using the audio select button, which is normally used for
ISB operation, that is the “LSB-Both-USB” button is
used to select the sideband desired. The PBT button still will
not function in the SAM or ISB modes, which is a huge drawback.
Notch still is inoperable in SAM, AM and ISB mode as well. Yipps
!!
SAM works with bandwidths up to 16 kHz, (very early samples did
not) but is still limited as it will not work with filter
selections below 4 kHz.
Sync AM (SAM) Generally Clean But Is Just About Worthless.
MAJOR downside with the SAM is that it is a very poor performer.
It cannot lock onto a weaker signal , but even was an issue with
strong totally in the the clear signals as well. If it's sort in
the middle, a 50-50 sort of thing. Might be ok, or it might not.
Has to be tried on a signal-by-signal basis. If it fails to lock
right...then of course switch to Manual ECSS where you will do
much better and with PBT control to boot.
It’s not even in the same league with other sets including
the double sideband SAM in the WJ-8711A. The WJ's SAM hold lock
quite well..
Overall audio quality is really excellent on the RX-340 (aside
from the low headphone output), perfect for DX'ing the weak
signals as well as strong broadcast audio. No excessive hiss and
not overly bassy either. But the "Buzzy-Crackle-Tick"
sound that is explained below takes away a bit of this "great
audio".
Another Downside With SAM / AM and ISB, Weird
"Buzzy-Crackle-Tick"
Sounds
Where as the JRC NRD-545 has its "Pop-Pop/Tick-Tick", and
"Burp" sounds, the Ten-Tec has it's what I have to call
"Buzzy-Crackle-Tick" sounds (usually not all at the
same time). And also like the JRC, this does not show up all the
time, and for many may not even be able detect it as most of the
time this noise lies within the floor of the audio (but not
always). I only noticed this when using SAM, sometimes in
unvarnished AM, but worse when using SAM and having selectable
sideband engaged (LSB or USB and not when in the middle "both").
But really shows it's ugly head when in ISB mode. Adjusting the
AGC a bit might help, but not always. This is not what you might
think, say the SAM switching in and out (unlocking as it does
more than not), as the SAM is solidly locked when this sound does
appear.
This a weird sound and might take awhile (or maybe never) to
detect it. I'm guessing that it's another case of the DSP getting
overloaded but not sure??
Aside from this problem the internal speaker can indeed create it's
own (other) buzzes under the correct audio frequencies and volume
(cabinet just resonates here), so best to use a external speaker.
Also it uses a nice standard 1/4 phone jack (mono) for a external
speaker connection.
"Running Out Of Volume Control"
As commented earlier the headphone output is lacking big time,
but this one is a totally different animal. It is a dead ringer
to the same problem that plagues the JRC NRD-545 and NRD-301A
sets. But is not quite as bad in the RX-340.
Once in awhile you will encounter a broadcasting station where
the modulation is below par (low). It's a common event as you
tune across the bands, sooner or later you will come across one.
When this comes about you will struggle to get enough volume even
at 100% rotation. Like it needs another 50% rotation to achieve
any kind of proper audio. Well you don't have it and you are
stuck having to try and hear a strong carrier but with hardly any
good level audio.
Switching over to manual ECSS with a narrower might help a bit in
this regard, but not always. As you can figure out already, with
the low headphone volume issue, you might as well forget trying
to use headphones on a signal like this.
Another gremlin that the WJ-8711A does not have period. The WJ's
audio can blow you out of the room.
Audio "Line" in Stereo Balanced or Mono
Unbalanced Outputs, DB 15 Plug Extra Cost.
The Ten-Tec RX-340 has a selection a line outputs that permits
the user to choose what suits the situation. That is either a
"Balanced" 600 Line (with transformer isolation),
identical to the WJ. Or and more important to us consumer types,
an UNBALANCED 600 Ohm output. This unbalanced output is in mono,
so proper connections to consumer equipment without any weird
transformers or such.
However, NOT SO FAST!!! The small gremlin is that Ten-Tec does
not include the proper DB-15 connector plug. The owner must
purchase this separate. A silly oversight, on a set of this
dollar value it really should come with the set in the box!
Good Noise Blanker / Preselector
Standard / Built in Test Equipment (BITE), But
Wait 1 Hour
There is an adjustable noise blanker function (also lacked on
very early versions), and works well.
A built in half octave front end preselector is included as
standard
Just as with the WJ sets, we have BITE (Built In Test Equipment).
Here was news that I was unware of. This text WAS posted up on
the Tec Tec Web site at one time.
"The RX-340 must be at room temperature (on for about 1
hour) before BITE test is performed. Antenna and headphones must
be removed before performing the BITE test. BITE test will fail
if antenna or headphones are attached."
Standard Serial Cable Will Not Work
For anyone who might desire computer control of the RX-340, one
needs to read the text on page 5-1 in the owner’s manual.
“Important Note: A standard serial cable will not work. An
interface cable for the RX-340 must use pins 2, 3 and 7 only.
Other pins on the DB-25 connector carry DSP data.”
So it appears that the owner will have to roll their own instead
of purchasing any commercially made standard cable.
Not as Good as the WJ-8711A To Me, But Lower Cost
Even with the TenTec RX-340 using an outdated 16-bit DSP (along
with 16 bit A/D-D/A converters as well), it still has the right
stuff to make it an attractive set for the person willing to
spend over $4000 to acquire such a premium receiver.
I generally liked this radio, even with the weird warts attached.
However, with the 2nd sample that had the unacceptable main
display issue made it a MUCH less desirable
product to me.
Yes, you guessed it......I still much prefer the WJ-8711A to the TenTec RX-340.
Dave N9EWO
© N9EWO, all rights reserved
Ver. 4.0
Sherwood Enginerring Lab Test and Report : Ten Tec RX-340