Yes, technology has come a LONG way since the days of tubes.
I think my first 'radio' was a crystal radio experiment, that picked up local AM radio stations with an earphone, a length of wire, and something to act as a rectifier (crystal diode). I was amazed that three things could pick up a radio signal!
These SDR devices are quite the thing, and even more so is the web sites I listed in the previous post where you can effectively listen to SW radio from the comfort of your own home without even spending a penny (except for your internet access).
But the adapter I listed in the post above would allow you to listen to most anything in your area or around the world via SW radio. Amazing technology!
Even though I have some ham radio equipment in my basement, I may pick up one of these things just to play with it. The amazing thing is that $149 adapter can receive much much more than some of my very expensive radio equipment!