1980
 

In 1980, Sony presented the first PLL synthesized shortwave receiver in consumer electronics history. At that time most SW radios were either fully analog(ue) sets (such as Panasonic RF-2200 or Sony ICF-5900W) or analog(ue) sets with a digital readout (such as Panasonic RF-2600, RF-2800/2900, RF-4800/4900, Sony ICF-6700L, ICF-6800W/W(A)), except for very expensive ([semi]professional) receivers.
The ICF-2001 featured:

• AM 150...29999 kHz and FM 76-108 kHz (there were also versions with AM 150...26100 kHz and FM 87.5...108 MHz, depending on where you lived)
• signal strength meter (formed by 5 LEDs)
• digital frequency readout to 1 kHz
• direct frequency entry via a keypad (enter frequency in kHz - press ENTER key - finished)
• 6 memories, accessible via 6 separate buttons
• digital tuning in 1 kHz or 10 kHz steps (buttons only, no knob)
• BFO for SSB/CW, adjustable by a thumbwheel on the front of the receiver
• sleep timer (up to 90 minutes, in 10 min steps)
• scanning function in a user-defined (by L1 / L2) frequency range

• Dual conversion set: 1st IF: 66.35 mHz, 2nd IF: 10.7 MHz (pretty unusual for a 2nd IF)
• 3-step attenuator (0-10-20dB)
• telescopic antenna, 120 cm long
• ferrite bar antenna for 150...2143 kHz
• internal DC-DC converter (4.5V => 18V) for "hungry" electronics
• powered by 3 D cells (LR20) and 2 AA (LR6) cells for memories
• antenna tuner which has to be adjusted whenever the frequency is changed
• 1.2 watts output @ 10% distortion, speaker 10 cm in diameter

• Selectivity was not more than average, but this is not surprising, considering the 2nd IF of 10.7 MHz. I still don't understand why they didn't use 455 or 450 kHz instead. (The Uniden CR-2021, an "improved copy", was a triple conversion receiver, most probably with a low 3rd IF)
• Battery consumption was VERY high, about 300 mA. Even excellent batteries only lasted 8...10 hours, and only after 4 hours reception was already measurably deteriorated
• The HF electronics didn't work on 4.5 VDC, so an internal DC-DC converter had to be used, but as it must not become too large, the audio section had to work on 4.5 VDC and was somewhat antique as a result
• The keys used to fail early, and it was quite difficult to clean or replace them
• The writing on the front was soon worn off

1983
 

In 1983, Sony presented a new member of their 7600 line: the ICF-7600D, or ICF-2002, as it was called in North America. It was intended for the traveller/traveler looking for a comfortable high performance radio.
Features included:

• Tuning in 5 kHz steps (on SW, MW: 9/10kHz, LW: 3kHz), along with a fine tuning control for AM and SSB
• SSB/CW reception
• frequency readout accurate to 5 kHz
• direct frequency entry
• 10 memories, accessible via the keypad
• direct selection of the broadcast bands
• scanning function in the broadcast bands

• Dual conversion design (1st IF: 55.395 MHz, 2nd IF: 450 kHz)
• a quite good 6-pole ceramic filter
• SSB reception via a kind of product detector
• AF output: 400 mW @ 10% distortion

1985
 

In 1985, Sony presented the first portable receiver with a synchronous detector (very useful - allows you to select the sideband of an AM transmission). In addition, its performance was excellent, hardly reached by its successor, the ICF-SW77.
It featured:

• 100 Hz or 1 kHz tuning steps and frequency readout to 100 Hz
• Tuning with a knob
• 10-LED signal strength meter
• 32 memories (with 32 memory buttons)
• direct frequency entry
• synchronous detection, of course
• SSB/CW reception

• Dual conversion design
• adjustable RF gain
• 2 bandwidths
• "tracking preselector" = automatic antenna tuner, coupled with band filters
• sensitivity: 1 µV for AM, 0.5 µV for SSB
• frequency stability: ± 30 Hz per hour