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Help with my Realistic Setup

jukeboxhero1

jukeboxhero1

Member
Hey guys, long time lurker finally figured I'd join in here with a question. So I just got back into hi-fi after having to sell my technics setup when I moved. I grabbed a decent little realistic bundle of :

Lab-500 turntable
31-1987 EQ
Sta-2700 receiver
Tm-1001 Tuner
Sct-20 tape deck

So my thing is I'm super ocd about completing sets or staying within a family of items. I really love woodgrain and silver looks which is why I jumped at the tm-1001 and lab 500 aspect of this bundle. However while the 2700 is a great receiver/amp its very obviously not from the same era or looks. I believe the correct amp to pair with the tm-1001 is the sa-2001 however I am not sure on this. Any help on finding the correct amp that was sold with this tuner would be great. I also searched a bit to find the tape deck and eq that would have been paired but could not find anything. I did find that the 31-1987 is a pretty decent eq and as it fits the look i'm going for I don't mind it, just yah know ocd won't let me rest if there is indeed a matching one. Finally I have a generic pair of 80's technics speakers if anyone can recommend a good era appropriate speaker pair I can look into grabbing that would be an upgrade that would be great nothing out of this world in terms of price but solid middle of the road with room to upgrade once I get fully back into things. Now I know realistic isnt the best but hey I'm a huge tandy collector so when I saw radioshack made decent audio stuff I was all on board. Thanks in advance guys.
 
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I'll take a look at that, I admit I was interested in the 31-1987 cause its wood grain, I like things to match. And honestly I feel bad I searched for hours and couldnt find that catalog ty. So am I correct in that the sa-2001 is just the higher powered version of the 1001.

Side question, if I wanted to build the ultimate realistic system to go with my lab-500 and keep it woodgrain with silver front aesthetic what would I want to search for. I have an unhealthy obsession with anything radio shack dont judge me :)
 
See my signature, but I run:
Realistic STA-2000
Realistic LAB-500
Realistic Nova 7b speakers

I have Realistic Mach Ones, but they are too much speaker for me and my room (1st time I've said that out-loud) and personally I REALLY like the sound of the Nova 7b speakers better.
Congrats on your Realistic setup, I love my LAB-500 especially with a LP gear line-contact stylus (in original R9000E-LWS integrated cart/head-shell)

Ben
 
jukeboxhero1 said:
ah so I wanna go full seperates, tuner, amp, eq tape deck et, if that makes sense :)
Click to expand...

I can totally dig that... I just wanted to throw a recommendation on the Nova 7b speakers IF you are looking to stay with Realistic branded speakers.... the LAB-500 was part of the 1979 "Dream System" which would have been the LAB-500 / STA-2100 receiver (biggest/baddest Realistic ever made) and / MACH One speakers.
:thumbsup:

Ben
 
goodolpg said:
Actually it will probably get more views and possible replies right here.
And duplicate threads are frowned on as per the AK rules.
Click to expand...
ok deleted the new one.

I thought it would get better traction not here was all.

So I guess my question remains if I wanted to build the ultimate realistic system with the only stip being woodgrain and or silver what should i be on the hunt for. Also am I correct in assuming the lab-500 and tm-1001 are kinda end game stuff for this brand?
 
polypetalous said:
I can totally dig that... I just wanted to throw a recommendation on the Nova 7b speakers IF you are looking to stay with Realistic branded speakers.... the LAB-500 was part of the 1979 "Dream System" which would have been the LAB-500 / STA-2100 receiver (biggest/baddest Realistic ever made) and / MACH One speakers.
:thumbsup:

Ben
Click to expand...
Ah weird that they pushed an all in one receiver vs separates. i thought they started that in the mid 80s.
 
Depends, are you looking to buy local or online. Local you're limited to your area. Some areas are better than others as far as amount of gear.
Ebay opens up a much wider range, but shipping is involved and actual auditioning is not possible (unless close by).
I'd suggest browsing through the RS catalogs mentioned above.
Also looking through Google images for Radio Shack or Realistic vintage receivers,. Take a look through those images and see what catches your eye...then ask about it here to get AK's opinion or do further online research, and maybe start looking at ebay or CL, FB Marketplace, etc if you'd prefer local once something does appeal to you.

Also, a Google search of brand/model followed by Audiokarma will show you previous thoughts about a certain piece by AK'ers once you think you might be interested inan item.
Example ---- Realistic STA 2100 audiokarma
 
goodolpg said:
Depends, are you looking to buy local or online. Local you're limited to your area. Some areas are better than others as far as amount of gear.
Ebay opens up a much wider range, but shipping is involved and actual auditioning is not possible (unless close by).
I'd suggest browsing through the RS catalogs mentioned above.
Also looking through Google images for Radio Shack or Realistic vintage receivers,. Take a look through those images and see what catches your eye...then ask about it here to get AK's opinion or do further online research, and maybe start looking at ebay or CL, FB Marketplace, etc if you'd prefer local once something does appeal to you.

Also, a Google search of brand/model followed by Audiokarma will show you previous thoughts about a certain piece by AK'ers once you think you might be interested inan item.
Example ---- Realistic STA 2100 audiokarma
Click to expand...
Ah yes i've already done that but tbh i have no idea what half the specs being mentioned are for realistic. I also don't mind ebay, my intent honestly is to take apart and restore regardless of where I buy it from. I was just mostly curious on what people consider the godtier for realistic, so i can keep an eye out for listings for those. The 2100 looks great just I was looking to make a seperates system, or can I just add seperates to the 2100 and should use it as my base tuner?
 
jukeboxhero1 said:
Ah weird that they pushed an all in one receiver vs separates. i thought they started that in the mid 80s.
Click to expand...
It is kinda odd, but I don't think Radio Shack / Realistic ever made separates with the level of power (watts) their top-of-the-line receivers had (someone correct me if I am wrong here). STA-2100 for example was rated at 120watts per channel I "think" the most powerful Realistic "amp" was 60-70 watts (equivalent to my STA-2000).
I guess (think) Radio Shack probably sold more "receivers" as their typical buyers were more into "plug and play," versus most "separates kinda people" were shopping the "higher end" brands/stores... that is NOT to say Realistic is any lesser than the others.


Ben
 
polypetalous said:
It is kinda odd, but I don't think Radio Shack / Realistic ever made separates with the level of power (watts) their top-of-the-line receivers had (someone correct me if I am wrong here). STA-2100 for example was rated at 120watts per channel I "think" the most powerful Realistic "amp" was 60-70 watts (equivalent to my STA-2000).
I guess (think) Radio Shack probably sold more "receivers" as their typical buyers were more into "plug and play," versus most "separates kinda people" were shopping the "higher end" brands/stores... that is NOT to say Realistic is any lesser than the others.


Ben
Click to expand...


So if I manage to get a sta-2100 does that replace my tm-1001, and the sa-2001 im planning on buying? or should i still use the tm-1001 with it?
 
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