A/B on Sony SRF-m35 Modified/Unmodified

[stevesolo]

I was planning on getting the M-35 modified from fixup and just received one out of the box as a present. It is very impressive, very selective, loud clean audio headphone ouput, very musical and very little hiss from local stations as often reported. I am using very efficient phones, Sennheiser 280's and Sony V-6's. I would assume there no need to use an amp with this unit given no line out and the powerful headphone out, true?. I am thinking of asking fix up to to do his mod to this unit.

Has anyone done an A/B test, mod vs unmoded? What can I expect from the mod's?

I also have the opportunity to buy the SonySRF-M95. What can I expect from it vs the M-35? It's a really sleak, cool looking unit.

 

[Johno]

I just received a SRF-M95 in the mail today (made in Japan)... Yes, it's cool and slick and about the size of zippo lighter. I can't compare it to the M-35, sorry bro. I tested it with Grado SR 60 headphones against my Sony Sports D-FS601 cd/fm tuner. In all honesty without going back and forth between the tuners like a mad man, they pretty much sound the same to me. I wasn't enthralled or captivated. It's sounds too thin with the Megabass off, nice and rich sound with the Megabass on. Sensitivity seems descent enough and all FM stations are tuning in fine and clear. I just noticed while perusing the manual it does have a built in AM antenna. I don't know if thats a special feature but it seems to tune into AM radio very well, above average. Overlall, I'll know better when I use it at the gym. I'm really curious as to how it will perform with all the electrical interference.

Considering the price difference between the two, I'm betting the M-35 is a no brainer considering it's reviews. If you have money to burn and just want to add this flashy James Bond tuner to the collection, go for it.. If money is real tight I'm predicting you will most likely be dissapointed.

Although, for myself, considering the digital tuner, silvery compact design along with more than adequate sound and above average AM reception makes this a fun gadget and a joy to listen too. I'm happy

 

[linnem]

the hiss on the m35 is not from local stations, it is noise from the amp and it is very pronaunced on the m35, not so on the m95.
the m35 does not need an amp, it is very powerfull but the hiss was way too much for me, and it lacks a sleep function.

 

[Johno]

Hello,

I'm growing fond of this little gadget the more time I spend with it.. I hope I wasn't too critical in my previous post.. If you can afford one it's definitely worth checking out.

Just to mention a few features:

1. 24 hour clock display (battery graph power indicator)
2. 30,60,90,120 auto shut off
3. jog dial tuner (perfect while exercising)
4. hold switch
5. uses 1 AAA battery (seems very efficient)
6. stereo/mono switch

Also, belt clip seems flimsy and ear buds are uncomfortable. (too large and hurts my ears).


good luck,

 

[linnem]

are you sure it is made in japan? -If so, were did you buy it from?

 

[Johno]

Yep, it's made in Japan. Thats what it says on the front and backside of the box. It's stamped on the back side of the tuner as well. The warranty card and most of the documention is all in Japanese and the instructions come in English too.

I purchased it from a Yahoo web merchant here in the US.

 

[Johno]

Linem,

I noticed you have fixup's modified SRF-S84. How does the reception stand up to electrical interference ( lights, tv's etc). I tried the M95 at the gym and picked up the usual static when using the exercising equipment. I know Fixup's website says Sony uses a metal tape shielding over the chip inside the 84 which may explain the better sensitivity.. What do you think? I'm tempted to purchase one when I order a super mini v4.

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by linnem are you sure it is made in japan? -If so, were did you buy it from?

You can buy it at Amazon... I think my little M95 rocks!!

...Much moreso than my M48RDS...

 

[linnem]

I bought my m95 a couple of years ago when it first came out (in Norway) and mine was made in china or malasia. The build quality was not poor, but worse then most sony pocket radios I have owned.

I was however very impressed with it's performance, very sensitive and somewhat resistent to interference. I had to keep it a good 3 feet from the 22' monitors I use for editing. I sold it about a year ago due to the less then perfect build quality so I cant make any direct comparyson with my fixup s84.

The fixup radio is just a tad smaller, 4 mm depth, 4 mm in length (I think), and the s84 is of course analog so you wont get the variable sleeptimer, a big minus for me. 4 nights I have fallen asleep with the s84 hammering ahead into my ears and you DONT sleep very well. Also I find the s84 next to useless on AM. As to sensitivity I think the sony srf-t615 has a bit more stable reception, but is much larger. I find it hard to get that "perfect FM" reception on the s84, but I live surrounded by mountains and conditions is not the best.

As to the soundquality the fixup holds it's own, deep clear bass with a low internal noise level. i have no problem using it in front of one computer/monitor, but I cant use it in a room full of electronics. But non of my other radios worked under those conditions.

I will try to get audiocubes to put the "made in Japan" m95 in their store and do a side by side comparison.

BTW, for the absolut best in build quality try to find the predecessor to the m95, the m90. It was made in japan, had a metal front plate, exelent finish, and beautiful to boot.

 

[linnem]

by the way DUNCAN...is the one you bought at Amazon made in Japan too???

-If yes, could we maybe somehow arrange that I had one delivered to you and you forwarded it to me? (amazon dont sell electronics to Norway : (

 

[Duncan]

I don't think that mine was made in Japan...

It doesn't say anything on the rear of the unit, and on the instructions... it simply says 'Printed In Thailand'... So I guess the unit could be sourced from there too...

Oh, and it has a power output rating (on the instructions) of 2.5mw per channel... if that is the true rating... then my hearing must've gone REAL sensitive all of a sudden, cos I can get it up to deafening levels... WITHOUT clipping!!

 

[linnem]

weird, I have never seen a sony product that was made in different countries?! Sony's japaneese webpages states it is made in japan, but mine wasent...

-I agree about the output. My m95 blew away my (on paper) PCDP's 5*5 mw output, as does my s84.

 

[Johno]

Linnem,

There's a dealer from Hong Kong selling a m-95 on Ebay.. My Japanese model looks indentical except for the dx/local switch, mine has the stereo/mono instead. I'm not sure if thats a Japanse model but I'm betting whatever the case may be there's probably not much of a difference between the Malaysia and Japanese version. Mine is light as a feather without the battery and made of plastic. It probably wouldn't take much weight to flatten into a million pieces. It's still beautiful and sounds nice but feels a bit flimsy and cheap once in the palm of your hands. It's probably not worth buying the imported version considering your past experience with this radio.


here's a direct link to Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3281

 

[linnem]

He he...I know Tina, have bought from her in the past. Thanks anyway!

 

[nevermorez]

Hi there, I'm just curious how much differnce/improvement I'll get if I send in my SRF-S84 to fix-up for modification. Is it worth considering the shipping cost (live in Canada) and modification fee I have to pay. Or I should just get a SRF-M95 in local stores.

By the way, in terms of audio quality and clarity, which one out of those three is the best? SRF-S84 or SRF-S84 modified or SRF-M95?

Thanks in advance.