I’m completing my first 30 days of using the new Icom IC-7851 HF transceiver.  This new flagship entry replaced the venerable IC-7800 in the Icom HF radio lineup.  I should note that I’ve never used the 7800, so the 7851 is my first foray into the high end Icom rigs.  I’ve used a IC-7600 in the past, and most recently operated a Kenwood TS-990 for about two years (I’ve also used many other HF radios over the years, including the Flex 5000).  I can say without reservation that the 7851 has the best receiver I have ever had the pleasure of operating.  Unlike the TS-990, the IC-7851 has a very quiet receiver with noise reduction circuitry that is almost flawless.  It has been a pleasure to pull out weak signals with the 7851.  The filtering is first rate.