[squarefoot]

+1 on this one: well built, optimized for small signal reception (TV dongles are not) therefore lower noise etc. bias tee for active antennas, metal case. Still at a good price. I have two of them and never regretted the purchase. One day I'l probably get a HackRF or something similar, although I'm still good with the rtl-sdr.com dongles. If they made a small one with enclosed upconverter to be put in my laptop bag to be carried when I take a trip in the mountains I'd get one immediately. I've tried one of those no-name Chinese little boxes with HF and V-U inputs but performance is inferior compared to the above dongle.

[syedkarim]

Instead of a HackRF, I would suggest a PlutoSDR.

[squarefoot]

Are there any cheap upconverters that will make use of its insane bandwidth? I'd like being able to receive down to the HF but the Pluto doesn't go below 325MHz.