An old friend... Renewed. Go buy it!

I've been a fan of high end electronics for... [gasp] decades now. My love affair of "high tech" clock radios began long ago with Proton's P300 back in the early 80s. In the years since, I've purchased Proton radio after Proton radio as they went bad and a new one arrived (in fact, I began to suspect a built in life cycle timed to new models,... but that is another story).

Fast forward to the Proton RS330 after the previous units failed. Let's check out some of the features:

1) Stereo with companion unit;
2) Dual separate alarms (with alarms sounding on companion when attached);
3) Music or rising beeping for alarm selection;
4) Adjustable dimmer;
5) External FM antenna leads;
6) Treble and bass knobs;
7) Good sound at moderate volumes;
8) Aux in for CD player; and
9) High neato factor.

Needless to say, another winner. I bought the RS330 and its companion (RS332)

Jump forward to 2004. Immediately after my RS330 went on the blink, I went down to Good Guys to buy my replacement and... no more! HOWEVER, Sangean, the maker of RS330, now sells the identical unit under its own brand... Needing an immediate replacement (the companion will not work on its own), I purchased a Philips touch screen cd/alarm clock (what a piece of junk). I ordered the RS330 online and...

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Specifications:
Sangean RS330 Features
* Digital tuning with 24 station presets (12 FM/1ZAM)
* Four-watt amplifier with Five- inch full-range speaker
* Dual alarms with gradual ramp-up alarm volume
* Wake to radio or alarm
* Five minute snooze alarm
* One minute to six hour sleep timer
* Adjustable automatic display dimmer
* Back-lit front-panel control buttons
* Stereo headphone jack
* Stereo audio input and output jacks
* One hour super capacitor backup system

[for your information]
Sangean/Proton RS332 High-Fidelity Clock Radio Stereo, Speaker

* High-fidelity powered speaker for the RS330 Clock Radio
* Control all main unit clock radio functions
* Speaker has its own volume control
* Digital display with 24 presets
* Four-watt amplifier with five- inch full-range speaker
* Gradual ramp-up alarm volume
* Adjustable automatic display dimmer

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Review:

This is one cool clock. When coupled with its companion, the sound is amazing. Place the RS330 (main unit) on one side of your bed and the RS332 on the other, and you have instant stereo. My wife and I love this split design since alarm volume control is separate and controllable. I wake up much earlier so I have my side spun down low and she like her's moderately louder. The snooze buttons on both units work and her side displays all of the information the main unit displays. All of the fine controls (save volume, snooze and presets) are on the main unit (and frankly this is just as well since I'm usually the one that wakes up at different times).

Since the volume controls are independent, when the radio (or aux) is on, the sound can be unbalanced unless the volume controls are balanced. The knobs are analog-like (digital controls) and smooth, which is another big plus and easy to adjust.

[Update: I just looked at the RS332 unit and I see there are a whole bunch of buttons, including alarm, snooze, radio presets, tuning etc. I haven't looked at the other side in a long time (wife's side and I was remembering an older model 2 generations ago - yet another good reason to buy the companion].

Radio tuning reception using the supplied antenna leads is simply inadequate. I use a power antenna given my home location (on a hill on the other side of my NPR stations) but I would strongly recommend a separate power antenna in any event since the signal reception is weak (Terk products aren't bad). When utilizing the power antenna, the sound is dramatically different. I don't experience ghosting or the multipath distortion connected with my home location. If you are not willing to invest in a separate power antenna, look elsewhere.

Volume = at low and moderate levels, excellent. At high, you will experience distortion. This isn't a stereo receiver and $50 Polk Audio speakers will sound better. If you are looking for a substitute stereo receiver, look elsewhere. Most potential purchasers for a unit of this price level already have a separate component (or at least mini component) stereo system so duplication is unnecessary.

By the way, it runs relatively warm and I suspect the heat (due to internal power supply) has caused relatively premature failure of my past units. Make sure it is well ventilated and not in an enclosed cabinet.

Coolness factor:

I've been using Proton clock radios for years and the Sangean continues to dignify the line (even though I hate the name - electronic snob, I suppose). I've been thinking of prying my Old Proton logo off and switching the Sangean but this is really just my "I miss my Proton label" side talking.

Is this unit cool? Absolutely. My wife, who has little patience with my electronic gadget fixation, actually told me the Philips unit was useless and that I should immediately get a replacement Proton... {trust me, I nearly had a heart attack when she insisted on like unit replacement since in years past she was critical of my $250 clock radio purchases).

If you are looking find that ultimate cool radio, get this unit. Forget Bose or even [gasp] the Boston Receptor. Sound is only 33% of the equation. 33% goes to function (dual separate alarms plus individualized sound control and true stereo) and 33% for aesthetics.

Conclusion:

If you are reading this review because you are shopping for a high end clock radio to round out your electronic habit (and prove to the world and loved one(s) that you are the "Jones"), look no further. This is unquestionably the coolest design out there. Granted, there is no cd but really, if you need a cd player as an alarm, you're missing a world of new sounds played daily and you won't be getting the news as you snooze (assuming you are an NPR listener).

Oh, right. Of course all you NPR listeners are cool and hip with the scene. This product will simply accentuate your sophistication and worldliness :)

Happy trails!