Really weak signals is not an issue for any of the better SDRs, SDR-IQ, Airspy HF+, RSP2Pro, Afedri, etc. Most show adequate sensitivity for real world noise levels on HF. The differences show up in specifications like dynamic range and wide/narrow blocking. And the software, and how the software handles various aspects of operation.
A good SDR will deliver world class performance, no problem. But then you also have to make sure your support systems are up to the same level of performance.
T!
Of course I was not thinking to sensitivity measured in laboratory, but to weak signals in the real world of strong signals. Also I'm aware that the receiving antenna is more important than the receiver. (But some unamplified low noise receiving antennas can give very low levels, and it would be useful to have a very sensitive receiver).
I went on the internet to browse about Winradio Excalibur receivers. I could not get any real price from a real retailer : everywhere, i was requested to be a candidate buyer, writing about the products I'm interested with, if possible in German, Portuguese, Greek, Danish... (for euro zone) or in English (for UK sterling pound zone, and what with the Brexit?). I don't like that at all, and it's clear that Winradio does not want to sell Excalibur to me. When I jump to SDR, I will look to other brands.
Also, reading a few advices, I doubt it that Winradio went far to make its software really useful on less than the higher grade PC's.
Another concern is more general (including the Icom IC-R8600) : many receivers today have to be supplied with 12V (or 13.6V...) and it becomes harder and harder to find DC power supplies not 'peppered' with noise either on the DC or on the AC line.
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