The BEST kept secret in CHEAP Amps No one talks about!

[@ancientalien815]

I can't explain to you how much I enjoy finding a vintage receiver at a garage sale! So many hours of enjoyment getting to play with a new toy!

[@SoundSpectrum]

I always received all of the hand downs from my dad and uncle. My first receiver was the Realistic STA-15 (15 watts per channel) and the Optimus 31 stereo equalizer. Then a few years later I was given the Pioneer SX-750 and man my mind was blown at that point. Paired with an sony cd player and a technics dual recording tape deck. Those were the days!

[@392blackfinger]

I love listening to the young whippersnappers get nostalgic about stuff I lived through.

[@mikeg2491]

I think it’s a bit different now though because transducer technology has evolved so much in the last few decades combined with modern digital dacs that you can mate the latest tech with classic stuff to really create an awesome clean sound not possible or expensive to achieve when they originally came out.

[@kennethmcmillen1147]

Realistic has been my favorite for years. I've had several sta model receivers and several speakers from the Nova models to the Mach Ones. Couple of upgrades for the Mach Ones, I did the capacitor swap. That alone really made them come to life. I've built my own speakers using Radioshack/Realistic drivers while back and still use them as my mains today.

[@WildHorses9958]

My first system was an sta120 b reciever with a pair of optimus 5 speakers. It came with the Elac Miracord 40a turntable! Bought that system in around 1972 ! All from the Shack ofcourse! 🙂

[@stevekoutros9358]

I was a Lafayette Radio Electronics kinda guy. I drooled over the new catalog every year. Planned my perfect hifi system.

[@MrRamperez01]

Same here!

[@justanaverageguytoday]

Lafayette was hitachi. And great stuff. Big on Long Island. Had a clearance center in Carle Place I shopped there daily and got great deals including my Marantz.

[@stevekoutros9358]

@@justanaverageguytoday I never knew that, thanks for sharing. I lived in Jamaica Queens at the time... E. J. Korvette's cutout bin was a big hangout for me. 🤣

[@TheShackGuy]

@@justanaverageguytoday which Lafayette stereo receivers were made by Hitachi?

[@ufarkingicehole]

Old Harman Kardon is my go to. Especially the Citation line.

[@kellywilson2858]

Fun fact, In my 45 years of servicing electronic gear, I rarely saw Realistic stereo receivers or amps for repair and it wasn't because people didn't own them around here. Radio Shack was really the only choice for electronics in my town growing up and you had to drive at least 50 miles to find an actual stereo store so the realistic gear was very popular and most of it was built pretty well and still hold a special place in my heart. Even though I have moved on to audiophile grade components, I will never part with my original 1976 Mach 1's. Cheers and thanks for another great video.

[@Humandriver5280]

The Realistic models, made by Foster Electronics in the late 70s and early 80s, were the good ones.

[@BobBeta-r9t]

Nice to see Realistic get some love. I had a few friends with some of these, and with a speaker with some substance they sounded pretty good. The Radio Shack catalog was my favorite reading as a kid.

[@ericboehm4529]

MPX FIL stands for multiplex filter. It’s a notch filter to remove the 19kHz FM stereo pilot carrier overtones from received FM signals. HIGH FIL is simply a high-cut filter which can help with noisy FM reception. The 30Hz cut filter is their subsonic filter for phono.

[@BostonMike68]

@@ericboehm4529 I always wondered what those things did. I have that same receiver and I really liked the way it sounded. But I hooked up some 4 ohm speakers and it started smoking, it supposed to be able to handle 4 ohm loads and all my other amps drive them no problem so maybe it's because it's old

[@nancy4don]

@@ericboehm4529 That MPX filter also “blended” the highest frequencies from both channels into mono. Since the noise in FM stereo is out-of-phase, combining the channels to mono made the noise cancel out. Problem was, stereo imaging got greatly reduced. Most modern car stereos use that method, though not switchable. Ain’t this nostalgia fun?

[@TomTRobot]

The 30Hz cut filter was explained in 70's Pioneer manuals as being used to supress "turntable rumble" if you had such a problem.

[@nancy4don]

Correction: Not all the filters labeled “MPX” did the blend-to-mono thing. I worked for Radio Shack in that era; I think that line of receivers did.

[@ericboehm4529]

@@nancy4don​​⁠ I worked for them in the early ‘80s. I could have sold Randy’s STA-700 brand new! I’m not sure all of their multiplex filters worked the same way as their receivers were not all built by the same factory. I think many just notched out the pilot signal. The basic answer to noisy stereo FM was to put it in mono. The high filter in this receiver may have done the blending. I’m happy to see this model at least used 200kHz steps on the tuner in FM. I have an old Kenwood KT-76 tuner from the same era that tunes in 100kHz steps (it is a US model). Pain to press up or down on the tuning buttons twice for each step in the US band plan.

[@christophergaus3996]

Mine is a Realistic 2000D from 1979. Fantastic receiver, very clear and very punchy. Zippy treble and an interesting 'vintage texture' that comes along for the ride Quite powerful, has pre-in/ pre-out so you can use it as a pure pre-amp or power amp. Just remove the jumpers. Its a ton of fun, big bouncy VU meters 😊

[@ryry998]

Nikko is another underrated brand that you can still get cheap.

[@MrJasonfromcanada]

I have a Nikko alpha 450 😊

[@ryry998]

@@MrJasonfromcanada My first receiver as a kid was a Nikko NR-320 25watts/channel 😁

[@MrJasonfromcanada]

@ My uncle has a few Nikko receivers he’s still using with some turntables. Very underrated gear. I currently have my 450 in for service, it normally powers my Paradigm Founder 80f speakers at 225wpc

[@RichardDevlin-er4ce]

Got a Nikko Beta 40 pre …nice pre, especially the phono stage

[@bobd9868]

Yes, I have an Alpha II and a 440 AND an NA2090. Love their stuff

[@ismaeldiaz1525]

Hey Randy thanks for the video, I love Realistic it’s what got me into the vintage hifi world. Just got my 2100D the non toroidal one fully restored and I’m enjoying the heck out of it.

[@stevegeiger1464]

I have a 2290 - the same one in the ad you displayed on the opening of this segment. I’ve had it for about three years. I found it for $80 at a record store. The reason I purchased it was because it had the original receipt, manual, and related materials, plus a note from the original owner stating how it was rarely used, but loved. I have it hooked up to a pair of Design Acoustics PS 8b that I picked up for free from relatives. All the speakers needed was a refoam. I’ve been very happy with both. I do use the headphone jack on occasion - Sennheiser TR-120. Nothing exciting with those except the sound of silence for others in the house.

[@MrKeech666]

Oh hellz yeah! That STA 2270 receiver was the same model my family used for 20 years before Dolby Pro-logic hit the market. That incredible sound and POWER, unmatched today!

[@fearless_ambassador_ambo]

I have a Realistic LAB-400 direct drive turntable from the late 70's my dad bought new and gave to me many years ago. It's built like a TANK and works perfectly to this day. I believe it was built in the same Japanese factory as Pioneer and Marantz of the same era, and probably incorporates many of the same parts. He also used to have a Realistic receiver that lasted about 40 years too. Highly underrated brand.

[@DarylSteward-m3b]

I worked for Radio Shack back then and purchased an STA2280 for my mother in 1987. She used sparingly over the years till her passing about 15 years ago playing LP's on a Dual Turntable. I brought it home and used it as my living room stereo prior to upgrading to a full AVR setup last year. The unit is in like new condition operationally and physically. Aside from blowing out the inside dust with compressed air, its needed nothing service wise. I've decided to move it to my master bedroom connected to my TV and stream Pandora while I work out. Speaker will be either a pair of Polk T15's I currently have or new ES20's or something similar. I have no plans getting rid of it unless if fails, which I think is doubtful at this point.

[@Mrsteve4761]

My 2280 continues to work without issue to this day. It's a solid piece!

[@Greg41982]

My dad still has his Minimus speakers. They have a really small house. His office is an 8x8 old bedroom with hardwood floors, lots of bookshelves and a large desk. Those speakers sound quite amazing in the room.

[@WildHorses9958]

@Greg41982 I have a pair of the Minumus 7s, and at one time, I had them hooked up through my old Realistic subwoofer, and people who heard that set up were amazed at the sound coming from that little system!

[@gdemirjian]

I was into electronics as a teen in the 70's and Radioshack was awesome at that time. I gave my son a realistic turntable and receiver with cassette deck built in and he used that all through college and still has it now. Of your videos. Thanks.

[@WireHedd]

It's awesome seeing Realistic gear finally getting some love. My Minimus 7s will be a favourite of mine forever. People poo-poo pretty much anything that came from Radio Shack but they had some absolutely incredible equipment back in the 70s to 90s. I even worked part time at a couple of the stores as a kid and in college mostly because it gave me access to their parts catalogue on the cheap.

[@Mr.SparkleOG]

I have one of these and I picked it up a few years back at a garage sale for 25 bucks.

[@alanmaier]

The MPX filter on that receiver is actually high blend, which reduces hiss on distant FM stereo stations without killing the stereo effect in the midrange. It was really not labeled right as technically it should have been a 19Khz filter. My first receiver was a lower/mid Realistic, and then I upgraded to a Pioneer SX-750 which was a big step up, but I went back to the Realistic with a STA-2080 that utterly blew away the SX-750. People thumbed their noses at the brand back then, but the brand was actually pretty good. Most receivers were built by Foster Electric or Tandy... the Tandy ones are the most desirable. Models like the STA-2000/2100/2200/2300/2080 were Tandy built. Tandy also built the Concept and Quadraflex brands.

[@stevenveerhoff9208]

My very first speakers I purchased were Optimus bookshelf's with those wonderful tweeters

[@edricjr7930]

Hi Randy! 😎 Proud original owner of a Realistic STA-95 45W/C receiver that plays to this day. I use a WiiM Ultra as input mostly, and the speakers 🔊🔊 are either the Emotiva Airmotiv B1+, Optimus Pro LX5, or Realistic Minimus 7 depending on my mood. 😁 One more thing . . . An MPX filter is a notch filter that removes the 19 kHz pilot tone from FM stereo signals. It can also remove higher frequencies in the 23-53 kHz and 63-75 kHz bands. MPX stands for multiplex, which is the process of combining multiple signals into one. MPX filters are used in FM tuners, cassette decks, and personal monitor equipment. 😉🤓

[@randolphblack2554]

I miss Radio Shack. I have four items purchased from them years ago... 3 metal audio cassette tapes and a 15" woofer in excellent condition. All are well taken care of. I used to collect the Heathkit and Lafayette Radio Electronics and Radio Shack catalogs to see which had the best, in my opinion, equipment. I could spend hours doing that and perusing the specs. Keep up the good work digging up memories.

[@FeedScrn]

Never had a Realistic receiver, but remember the catalog pictures... Opus, and the Orchestra Conductor doing his thing. Glad to hear about the speakers - the Minimus speakers were a breakthrough in technology at the time....

[@datfly3034]

I purchased a whole Realistic HiFi system in about 1984-5. At the time it cost approx AU$1600 - over 5k in today’s $!!! It included a similar amp/receiver (possibly an older model than this one - all silver with needle gauges and wood grain veneer side panels). It came with an amazing speaker set (including super-tweeters that had some sort of cooling system), direct drive turntable, dual cassette deck and a cabinet. I loved that thing so much, but gave it away when it stopped working in the late nineties. I still regret it.

[@Bullitt00007]

I’m a big fan of Realistic and Radio Shack. My first component system included a Realistic STA-11 Receiver and a Realist SCT-22 Cassette Deck I purchased as a sophomore in high school, and kept until I sold it to my college roommate upon graduation. I moved up to Realistic STA-2700, the last big 100watt receiver with tbd Realistic name. The following year, all Radio Shack audio components were named Optimus.

[@mannye]

I loved my Minimus 7 speakers. I even bought the rack where you could make 2 "D'Apollito" style speakers from 4 minimus 7 speakers. I went nuts in the late 90's when Radio Shack was going out of business and bought tons of clearance speakers.

[@MH-rl9ep]

Always geeked out on all the Radio Shack/Realistc stuff when I was a kid. Never owned a receiver of theirs but still have their Minimus speakers (at the cottage with a couple of cheap subs), an equalizer and a mixer (which has smoother sliders and mixes better than my Stanton!). I would definitely look at Realistic if shopping for a vintage receiver!

[@keithvincenttucker9923]

In my youth, I was into car audio a lot more than home hi-fi. I mostly ran Pioneer, but had some decent Realistic gear, on occasion. Recently I acquired a SA-1000A amplifier and a QTA-770 receiver. They both sound Great. Not as good as my Pioneer SX-880, but close. Each, actually, cost as much as the Pioneer, but only because I got an absolute steal on the SX for less than $100 (Canadian) at a garage sale.

[@davidroberts2921]

I have a Realistic SCR-4500 Cassette Receiver and love it. I also loved leafing through the newest RS catalogs. My “Sears wish book”

[@drmbgls1]

I have an STA-2600, 100 wt/channel. I found it laying up against a dumpster. It was dirty,and had a lot of smoke stains. I took it apart, gave it a good cleaning, and it worked like a charm. Don't have to crank it up to get some great sound.

[@chiphill4856]

I loved the Realistic catalog. I learned about specs from that thing. Still today I am the proud owner of a Realistic stereo watt meter ✌🏼

[@nancy4don]

Hey Randy, I had the STA-82 receiver, bought on my birthday in 1976. Rated 22 watts per/channel, but was significantly more. Great little unit! AutoMagic and real walnut case.

[@mikekorpi4554]

I've been a Realistic fan for over 45 years. I've always known they were way underrated by the Snobiophiles. You could score a killer system for 1/10th the price of the big name competitors. The high end Realistic stuff will go toe to toe with anything in its power class.

[@namegoeshere2903]

I have a 1980 JVC AX2 integrated amplifier, 40W, 0.007% THD. Goes louder than what I can handle. $70. Had it for years...very clean and dependable. Vintage 👌

[@bizeerog2281]

I have seen the Realistic STA-2080 occasionally for sale. Never heard one but very nice looking receiver.

[@timbacchus]

MPX filter is a function found in analogue stereo FM broadcasting and personal monitor equipment, FM tuners and cassette decks. An MPX filter is, at least, a notch filter blocking the 19 kHz pilot tone, and possibly higher frequencies in the 23-53kHz and 63-75kHz bands.

[@flyingbananapeel6495]

From the early 80s to the early 90’s I lived at Radio Shack. I was on first name basis with the manager. I forget the specific model but I had a similar receiver from the one in the video but newer. I think it was made in 87 or 88. I added a pair of Mach 2s, the fancy graphic eq with the cool led display, a dual cassette deck and a cd player. I ended up giving it all to friend in the early 2000s. We were roommates and ended up having to move from the apartment we were in. I wish I held on to that stuff.

[@greenlanternseven]

Awesome Randy I'm the fella who was asking you to do another review on these awesome STA synthesized series of Realistic made by Fostex

[@danny1959]

I used to have a Realistic STA-860. It was all I could afford, but I loved it.

[@scrimmerman]

That MPX FIL button is a Multiplex Filter, it's some type of notch filter for FM signals if I remember correctly.

[@mapgeek6]

I had some Realistic components back in the day. My big beef with them is that they were all different widths, where the name brand companies' components were nominally standardized width. So, with Realistic stuff, you got an unsteady, clunky looking stack that happened to work well, provided it wasn't defective out of the box (took me three tries to get my tape deck to not be defective). It seems that mismatched, odd width components aren't as much of a bugaboo today, so maybe they were onto something, just four decades too early. MPX Fil = Multiplex Filter, which Wikipedia defines as: "An MPX filter is, at least, a notch filter blocking the 19 kHz pilot tone, and possibly higher frequencies in the 23-53kHz and 63-75kHz bands."

[@johnpischedda6951]

I picked up an old Sansui amp for my bedroom! Awesome 40 w / ch . Vintage and used gear are definitely worth a punt !

[@ccxlolz]

I once bough an Akai amp from 1982, but returned it because of some issues with the bass volume, not a single day goes by without me regretting that decision, it is by far the most potent and full range signal that i've listened to, analog will always be the ultimate solution

[@n6dl321]

I had a Heathkit AR15 feeding a pair of AltecLansing Voice of Thearter's. but transitioned to a Dyanco PAT4, Phase Linear 400 on a set of Bose 901's . I still have the PL and 901's.

[@johnscriven4378]

MPX mean Multiplex (relating to radio signal). High Fil is the high filter most useful with turntable I too love my Radio shack components. I still listen to my 71 vintage speakers.

[@StevenSpears-q8j]

30hz cut is either for when u only use that receiver to power dedicated subwoofers or (the most likely option) for when u connect another amp/receiver and only wanna send the base frequencys through the preamp outs,the crossover frequency of most home stereo subwoofers ranges from 30hz to like 180hz and sometimes higher most are abt 30 hz tho like yours

[@FidelitySoundz]

Great CDs, I still own them today!!! Listen the INXS quite frequently!! Great video!!!

[@TheRealDuckofDeath]

MPX FIL is a filter for FM signals, to filter out a "hidden" tone that could cause distortions. They were kind of needed on anything with Dolby cassette recorders attached, or the Dolby would amplify that signal.

[@martyrykiel8120]

I had a 72(I think) ' model STA-150 as a teenager. That was my entry into Hifi. It was paired with a 60s series Gerard turntable and a couple of huge Utah speakers. I think the same year I I got that, my parents bought me a pair of Pioneer headphones. Might have been a hint:)

[@Rowuk2024]

Multiplex filter is to remove the 19khz FM stereo pilot tone that carried the stereo info. Really wideband music would cause interference with the pilot tone. Turning it on usually activated a very sharp filter at around 16khz

[@BostonMike68]

I have that realistic sta 2270 , I found it at a thrift shop a couple of years ago for $40. It's 65 watts and has really good bass and sounds really good. I think fostex in Japan used to make them. I have had some silver faced Sherwoods that are sleepers one of them I found in a trash heap, I cleaned it up deoxit and it powered up and sounded sweet

[@TheShackGuy]

Foster Electric. Fostex was a Foster brand name unrelated to receivers.

[@BostonMike68]

@TheShackGuy there's a lot of articles about on audio karma about fostex making realistic receivers and OEM parts for other hi fi companies. I'm not a total expert on the subject but when I found my sta 2700 I googled it and that's what I read

[@WildHorses9958]

I have one of those Realistic recievers that I bought back in 85! Still sounds great! Had to replace a few caps though. Actually mine is the sta 2500.

[@SixMeter]

I had several Realistic speakers including the Mach 1, and a Realistic TR-882 8 Track Tape Record/Play Deck Model 14-944A that I don't have anymore. The hard thing to do while recording music on that 8 track recorder was to avoid the track change in the middle of a song lol! I still have the Realistic 5-Band Stereo Frequency Equalizer 31-1986

[@briannewell6064]

I recently took a chance on a Realstic receiver. STA-84, made in 1977 in Japan. I wasn't expecting much but to my extreme surprise it works like new and wood cabinet looks new. Surely someone had this restored. Or were they built that well?

[@Bambooken]

The Onkyo TX-108 is a fantastic sounding 120W + amp (seemingly endless headroom) that you can pick up for $100-$200 (original MSRP was $900 which is about $2,800 in todays dollars) -- It’s a super bargain. It is the culmination of best 70’s era technology and 80’s upgrades. Somewhat of a flagship model (there was one above it), sports rosewood side panels, nicely attenuated volume knob that I’ve never gotten past the 10 o’clock position, and an overly engineered tuner (that I don’t even use but sounds surprisingly great). Mine has never been upgraded or updated and works flawlessly. 🔊 I’ve returned two modern solid state amps that cost over $1,500 because this Onkyo sounded better (in my set up).. Like all thing audio, your mileage may vary but the Onkyo TX-108 is hard to beat

[@basoosting2518]

Nice receiver! The mpx filter is to filter out the FM pilot tone of 19khz if you can hear it. the pilot tone contains the stereo information, the difference between left and right

[@masonpoling4361]

7:54 I have a Realistic STA-84that I bought on FB Marketplace, and it still has the sticker that says "Real Walnut Veneer". So yeah, some came with real wood. Great sounding too

[@tomchalker736]

Radio shack in America was Tandy here in Australia but still sold realistic.

[@benjamincartwright3239]

I really think folks should be looking at lower watt vintage receivers. I use a 120 watt yamaha A-S2000 as my main power source, but recently acquired both an Sony STR 6055 (45 watt per channel) and a Sansui Stereo Receiver Six (25 watt per a channel), and while they both are low watt they also are extremely over built for their output and can be found for cheap if you keep an eye out. Also, the speakers that would pair well with lower watt receivers are still fairly cheap. especially the outliers like University Sound, Utah Speakers, Jensen Speakers, and other 60's speaker manufacturers. I had a pair of University Sound Super 1's that I purchased for 100$ with real wood veneer cabinets, teble control and three alnico drivers that sounded superb!

[@EduardoGarcia-jx8mo]

@@benjamincartwright3239 tengo muchos receivers e integrados…. De mediados de los 60s hasta finales de los 80s… uno de los que mejor suena es el pioneer ex 3600 solo 15 wpc… pero tiene un sonido maravilloso… sin duda uno de mis preferidos… siempre me pone una sonrisa escucharlo y ver ese pequeño receiver manejando unos fortes o unos jbls..: hay muchas joyas escondidas por allí

[@BostonMike68]

I have owned a lot of lower watt vintage receivers with only 35 watts like pioneer sx 650 and they definitely underrated the power. I drove all sorts of speakers with no problem with them and at volumes more than I could stand. I also think they sound better and I heard that there is a reason for this it has to do with the same amount of transistors than a amp with a lot more power.

[@stevengagnon4777]

I have a Sansui Stereo Six reciever. It was very good. The preamplifier in it was beyond what normally was in most recievers rated at 28 watts per channel. I've lost one channel in it so it's a project now. It is worth getting it up and going. I prefered it over my Marantz 1060 integrated amplifier. I believe that may may be because the power amplifier in the Sansui is direct coupled...no coupling capasitors in the output ( not a usual thing when the Sansui was made yet... that became more common in the late seventies and early eighties) . Also I believe the preamplifier section is a step above too. It just has a nice full sound . The Marantz was just a bit thin. It' seems to be true that some of these lower power amplifiers sound very nice . This may be because of the transistors chosen and the fact that just one pair was needed for each channel. When they get over 70 watts per channel often two pair of transistors were used per channel. The monster amplifiers had banks of eight or more to achieve that high output. If you're not using that high output and say only a watt or so , I believe the extra complexity hinders the clean signal. Sometimes simpler is better. Anyway I've become a fan of the early eighties lower power amplifiers recently . I like the simplicity and direct coupled design. Also the MOSFET amplifier section has a nice sound signature. These can be very sweet at a watt if it's still running in class A mode.

[@BostonMike68]

@stevengagnon4777 I read something about that, but I couldn't remember exactly everything.

[@stevengagnon4777]

​@@BostonMike68my Pioneer SA-520 integrated amplifier (82?) was rated at 30 watts per channel. I've got fairly easy to drive mini (4.5" midbass and 0.75" tweeter) speakers hooked up to it. It seems that it can hit 60 watt peeks without any sign of clipping. At very low power output it's a very clean signal. I've has the Pioneer for decades now and always seem to find a use for it.

[@scottbennett3119]

Cool video! I really liked the 2270 and other Realistic/Optimus receivers from the early to late 80's.. Good stuff!

[@williampreston1601]

If you're in CA anytime soon you're welcome to my 2280, fished it out of the dump and has been working flawlessly in the garage :D Keeping my STA-36 and always looking for more SA-150's

[@Johnnyultra1]

Love Realistic. Have minimus 7,s. Changed the crossover and the things rock. Have a pair of Mach 2,s in the garage with a crown amp powering them. Can get to ear splitting volumes without breaking a sweat and the neighbors 5 houses down say they sound fantastic.

[@RyanMcCann-g8t]

My first purchase that got me into the hobby was a Kyocera integrated receiver. That thing was a hoss. It crapped out after a couple of years. It was sooo complex inside I decided to scrap it.

[@arcadepiano]

my amplifier is same age as me, lenco a600 made 1978 in switzerland like heidy in the alps, from the time when our grandparents engineers weren't mcdonalized, they didn't lower the quality of materials to gain benefit margin, but had the sublime excellence as goal because they did were afraid of hunger and wars and because they had ethics towards the neighbors, the customers.

[@maddingo]

I've got a couple pairs of Minimus 7's and also the larger Minimus 77's as well had to replace the surrounds on the 77s but it was easy and they sound pretty decent.

[@mikecelent2015]

that 30hz filter is indeed a subsonic filter-whether its a good one depends on a lot of factors; I believe that the mpx is sort of that receiver s FM mono mode (as opposed to audio mono); sometimes they threw the fm mono mode into the 'muting' buttons. Give them a whirl with a strong FM station and see what happpens; FM mono is helpful if the station is weak. I own one of the 'shacks' last analog dial receivers-my folks bought it new/discontinued in 1983, and used it without incident until 1992 (what they bought to replace their old system is something that our family no longer disusses). Cheers-Mike

[@rod-bits-and-pieces]

I’ve got two of them! One works well except from the tuning level lights, the other is needing some caps replaced I think. It cuts out if you switch in speakers B. It also has problems with the tuning level lights. Seems to be a weak point. I’ve changed the bulbs only so far.

[@kylewomble1993]

I have the Sta-7 receiver Randy! Awesome slim design and equalization for the minimus 7 speakers! You know what’s up!!!

[@mdd47]

You can get the smaller NAD Power Envelope receivers from the 80s for like $100 and they're great. I have a 7725 PE and I often swap it out for the expensive Yamaha preamplifier in my main system, just to play around with it

[@DarrellWefel-ts2kr]

The definition of a high quality audio receiver ! Have any mid range !!!

[@renderingrocks]

I have several Realistic receivers and am jamming on a STA-2700 which is awesome!

[@TheBigfoot567]

I have a freshly recapped, Realistic STA-2200...... picked it up from the repair shop 2 years ago. Still have it sitting on the shelf, un used. I understand it tests out at ar75-80 watts. But I prefer my 20 watt 1959 Sherwood tube amp.

[@ronaldfriedline9297]

Just curious, does your old yamaha drop in db while engaging your loudness control like the modern yamahas? There's a 30 db drop with my as 801 when when fully engaged on mine.

[@keithvincenttucker9923]

On the same vein of Realistic, I've run across some 70s Sears Professional gear that is really good, for a decent price. I'm still using one of their turntables, and it sounds as good as any I have tried, or better.

[@cnhhnc]

LOL! i Have an STA-2270 and OMG does it sound fantastic on a pair of ADS L-520s-two way 8" ADS speaker-great value. Now I do have the EQ on the Realistic. But this piece is surprisingly good. I've A/B-ed this against a number of other amps including a NAD integrated. And guess what, not only does the Realistic hold its own, it actually aounds better-the tone controls are impressive-you can really tweak what you want to hear. This even sounds better than some of the silver face Realistics from the '70s. Two thumbs up. Problems-solder joints-these units often need some TLC and can fail. But mine, fingers crossed, has been bullet proof so far. Surprisingly, one of my favorite vintage receiver sound. A little less colored and more detailed but still warmish and perhaps the BEST sounding Realistic ever is the STA-2200. If you can find one of these it pairs well with almost ANY speaker, ANY! Only 60 watts x 2 but that was when watts were WATTS. Will drive most speakers. These are hard to find, there are not many of them. They're something special. But those early digital tuners usually crap out and there are not many who know how to repair them.

[@karpo63]

Those minimus speakers were basically copies/the competition to those Braun speakers you were talking about yesterday.

[@Slane583]

While I have a mix of various things I like Realistic stuff. I have some Realistic Minimus 7W's I got from a yard sale as few years ago. Of course I haven't used them since I got my Pioneer CS-53's but I have them and I'm keeping them. I also have a Realistic TM-150 AM/FM stereo tuner I got for free that's in really good shape that just needed a clean up. It works very good and picks up radio stations with ease. But a lot of my stereo receivers already have built-in tuners so it doesn't get used. I also have a small single Realistic single cassette player I got with the stereo tuner. I don't know if it works but it's small and neat. :)

[@timbacchus]

I grew up with realistic stuff. Fot lots of things for my Ham radio station also. I miss them across the street. Radio Shack still has an online store.

[@herbward5240]

Some , not all of the Radio Shack audio was quite good and well made. Between high school and college, 74 to 76 , I worked at a regional Radio Shack service center , and I was one of two techs that just serviced audio stuff.

[@scotthamilton007]

I love the look of the Realistic receivers and have several of them-the best looking ones. I’m very lucky.

[@georgejuricb2974]

Had an STA-85, the Bose 301's made it feel bigger than the 35 watts of the time.🤩

[@sandwaves5642]

EXACTLY !!! - stereo EXPANDER ! - that is the thing, I'm talking about, when commenting the maga pricy phono stages / DACs ! THIS ( obviously well designed / built ) is what some companies stick into the phono/DAC - preamps - to give a "wider stage" !!! I've played with these things for years - connecting my TT to PA effectors with these features. The result can, also, be very well achieved with some computer software...... Only that THEY hide all in a pretty box + the soft. license is payed by the customer IN ADVANCE 😀! 🤷‍♂

[@kevinyoungM14EBR]

It reminds me of the very first receiver that I bought, the Technics SA-460. Made from '84 to '85, and pumping out 50 WATTS per channel. It was a floor sample, and I think I paid $12.00

[@resistorstudios]

Got some Realistic Minimus 11 with new poly caps and dayton audio woofers that punch way above their weight! I did a review video on 'em. Also my bench speakers are Realistic MC-800 that sound decent as well.

[@maynard5492]

Had a Emerson vhs player that out did 9 other vhs players they all broke in time all but the emerson model and still plays to this day. And this was in 1992

[@traildoggy]

Their speakers are a bargain also. I have 3 pairs from the 80s purchased at thrift stores. One bookshelf with 8" woofers I use daily for TV/movies/etc. All 3 sets in total cost about $35. The Minimus 7 speakers image really well and with a subwoofer sound great.

[@DesignerAB]

I got an STA 2080 some years ago from a guy closing out his vintage audio business. I prefer its looks + sound over the other 70s Pioneer and Sony it accompanies in my collection.

[@TheShackGuy]

Radio Shack's best sounding analog receiver. Only the 2200 was better.

[@MU-io5en]

Have the STA 2100 with the toroidal transformer. Quite a solid machine. Sometimes they pop up for sale. Randy is right. They sell for 1k. I’ve looked at the 22 series, and recently missed a bid on the 2200. Oh well…I can fall back on my STA 225. Another solid performer from the shack.

[@koprcord5338]

Still have my first receiver tucked away, 35 watts a channel, and my realistic mach 2 speakers.

[@ronjenkins6674]

I lived when this stuff was brand new, Kenwood was never a step down from Pioneer. I still own my Kenwood gear, a KT-815 tuner. I once owned the matching Oscilloscope, but I traded it for my current preamp, an APT Holman One.

[@RPatt-sen]

Realistic is the sleepers of the hi-fi world. I used to own a Pioneer SX 980 and a SX 950. I bought a Realistic STA 2000 off a tech for $100. I thought it sounded so much better than the Pioneer receivers that I owned I got rid of them.

[@grumpy2142]

Radio Shack/Tandy did something that most other electronic companies of the day did not do which was check the quality control environments of the manufacturer(s), then full bench test a set percentage of incoming warehouse stock. This was to guarantee consistent quality control over the life of the products manufacturer. I know this to be a fact as I worked for TRS for over 25yrs. Am I biased, you bet your ass....lol.

[@sethduffey9538]

Very nice.. Definitely something to consider. Also like certain Panasonic models . Cheers

[@Rickky007]

Only paid 32 dollars for my Yamaha m-4 stereo) Frequency response: 1Hz to 100kHz Total harmonic distortion: 0.005% Damping factor: 200 Input sensitivity: 1V Signal to noise ratio: 118dB Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 8Ω Semiconductors: 81 x transistors, 3 x IC, 2 x dual FET, 34 x diodes, 2 x bridged diodes, 2 x zener diodes, 28 x LED Dimensions: 435 x 145.5 x 374.5mm Weight: 18.5kg Year: 1980

[@greenlanternseven]

STA 22 70 RECEIVER WAS ON THE FRONT COVER OF POPULAR MECHANICS IN 1984 OUTSTANDING RECEIVER

[@webman1956]

Always love your content! I never had any Realistic gear, but I did have an Optimus receiver in the mid 90`s. Were they actually good or a poor mans` Pioneer or the like?

[@danstein2467]

I’m glad you like it!! -DD