I'm tempted to invest in a high-end shortwave receiver (have had a cheaper Radio Shack model for years), bu know very little about them. Any shortwave enthusiasts out there?
It kind of depends on what type of listening you want to do. Being an Amateur Radio Operator I just use the receiver side of my HF transceiver for short wave listening. I know that there are some short wave receivers from CCrane that have gotten some good reviews on some of the Ham Radio Forums, and I think that Eaton also makes some emergency type radio receivers with short wave capability. There are a couple of different radio's that are displayed in episode 31 of the "Ham Nation" podcast, available on Itunes. Let me know if I can answer any other specific questions that you may have. Yes I am Laurie's Husband!