Realistic STA 84

[@TheShackGuy]

This receiver, nor any other Realistic receiver, employed "perfect loudness". Perfect Loudness was an adjustable loudness circuit found on the large integrated amps SA-2000 and SA-2001. There was an adjustment knob on the front "which allowed you to customize loudness compensation to various listening levels - the ONLY way a loudness circuit can function properly and as originally intended". Quoted from the 1978 catalog, page 38.

[@billdurham8477]

Yamaha did that too, same year range. Most of the cheaper and I do mean cheaper RS speakers need the boost.

[@ACBMemphis]

Cool video! As someone who spent many hours in his youth browsing late-80s Radio Shack catalogs, it's nice to learn about Auto Magic and Perfect Loudness - thanks for posting!

[@denbo1064]

Hello Steve! Nice video! Great to see someone highlighting this often overlooked receiver late seventies. Radio Shack/Realistic didn’t get as much respect as the ‘big boys’ (Pioneer, Sansui, Marantz, etc.) but they were every bit as well made. QUESTION; do you by chance have a service manual for this? Usually can be had on hifiengine, but not on this one. I’m having a heck of a time trying to get the AutoMagic tuning to engage. I’m getting stereo FM, but this circuit just won’t pop on for some reason. Any help/guidance would be most appreciated! Thank you!

[@Craig_Spurlock]

I put 47K resistors in my STA-84 loudness circuit, that produced a pleasing, balanced sound. I shall consider doing the same to my STA-225.

[@doggorman]

GREAT Video! I have the exact same reciever I can tell you MY LOUDNESS SOUNDS SPECTACULAR! I just lower the bass knob to 5 or 6 and on some vi yl al ums or radio stations the bass is nearly cranked. Perhaps so.e components ha e drifted off a bit which stabalized the loudness button on my sta-84? All is I can tell you is that the loidness feature for me is practocally a must Without the "Loudness " button engaged the tone os kond of thin and flat imo . When enfaging tge 'Loudnesss" button The TONE IS VERY TUBE LIKE SOUNDING. AS i. Writing this I re.eber as a kid i the early 80s and late 70s, That I prefferred the loidness button engaged. And at that time the sta-85 was fairly new. Snyways Great video and I just wanted to share my expero3mx3 on thus really great sounding unit Cheers!

[@cliffrhames3023]

Today, FM stations crank up the base to the max and that’s what causes base boom on these stereo receivers and many others as well. I have lots of off the air FM recordings from the 80’s that sound great compared to today’s over boosted base music.

[@loganhamann1272]

Realistic sta 150 from 1973 has the same loudness issue. It was produced by hitachi

[@prestige2000rider]

Q vox .probably works alot like Dynaquad David haulers Sim 4 ch matrix circuit.

[@mohamed5824]

Hello and welcome very much

[@socksumi]

It was designed in 76 before being released in late 76/early 77. I believe it was made by Onkyo for RS. It incorporated Onkyo's patented "servo lock" tuning which RS called "Auto Magic". It really works and is cool to use and watch the dial change colour when the knob is touched/released. Not a fan of the twin sliders for volume (gimme a knob) but it's otherwise a beautiful piece.

[@TheShackGuy]

Made by Foster Electric, as was the STA-90.