Most Reliable Realistic Receivers?

Triumph65

Triumph65

New Member
Newbie Question. I've been reading a bunch on vintage receivers and am interested in picking up a couple Realistics. One of the post comments I read, may have been an Audiokarma post, was by someone who was a stereo technician in the day. He listed the Realistic receivers he frequently fixed and listed some models he rarely ever saw. Unfortunately I can't find the post. He commented that some are great and some are not. I'd just like to know which model numbers were the real quality units.

I'd like to buy two. One fo my bedroom (15-30 watt) and one larger unit for the garage shop (30+ watts).

I'd just like to know which units to hunt and which to stay away from.

Thanks for any help!!
 
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Not super vintage from 92 but if you want a remote and can swallow its looks and can find one its a reliable piece. getting by its looks it a superbly sounding piece of equipment. When I rotate it in I beat the hell out of it and it never complains year after year. It has some of the best imaging of my systems which is hard to swallow considering what it is. RS made 100 wpc receivers for quite awhile and had them pretty dialed in apparently. I use it two channel only it has a separate amp inside if you want to use the rears. Even the transistors on the boards have heat sinks on them. Well built. Solid unit. Has bass mid and treble tone defeat, high low filters, all the normal stuff

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@NH-MAN ,
Thanks!! Do you have a model number?

Also interested in finding out the best model numbers in the low to mid watt and higher wattage silver faced realistics.

thanks all!
 
Triumph65 said:
@NH-MAN ,
Thanks!! Do you have a model number?

Also interested in finding out the best model numbers in the low to mid watt and higher wattage silver faced realistics.

thanks all!
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STAV 3200 An aftermarket remote will get most of the features working. it even has power meters lol
 
Since it`s brand new purchase in 1992, my spare bedroom`s100 watt p/ch. STA-2700 receiver has been running non stop(24/7/365) for most of it`s 28 yrs. of use here.

It plays my all day (currently)10,772 song WAV. ripped music from the moment I wake up until I switch over to a BR/DVD movie for the evening`s visual entertainment during dinner.

No issues with it of any kind over those yrs.

I is playing clear/clean sounding music from it`s room next to this room, as I type this, driving 2 Minimus metal 7`s connected to a RS freshly re-foamed Optimus floor firing dual VC passive subwoofer`s High pass speaker output connections.
 
Well I searched and searched the forums and could not find the comment I referenced in the OP. If memory serves me correctly is what a Radio Shack tech talking about which units he frequently repaired and which he rarely saw. From the reading I've done it seems like the older units were the more reliable.

I'd like to pick up a 2100, 2080 and one of the smaller units. Perhaps a 100 or 120

Maybe some of the Realistic Rad Shack fans I've seen in the other Realistic posts can chime in:
@djwhy60
@old 2080
@HomeBody
@mikey3117
 
Hey @Triumph65 .....most of my units are 70's vintage. I have owned every thing from the STA-16 to the STA-2000D. For a small power unit, the STA-18 is my favorite. Sounds great paired up with a nice set of Min 7s. The STA-2000 series is a great, higher powered unit. My personal choice for all around is my STA-78. I like the black face and has great sound. If you can find an STA-95, they are very dependable, last long units. I have found that ANY Realistic unit has a great tuner...if you are into radio!
 
@djwhy60 - One question I forgot to ask. What would a good price be on the above units you mentioned on eBay, in excellent condition? I realize I could stumble upon them at goodwill, craigslist, etc... but wanted to add an eBay search as well. There are several Sta-78 on the Bay right now but none there are are “minty”
 
+1 (make that +2) on the STA18 as I have had two of them. It might be low powered but it does everything I’ve ever wanted it to do. i currently use one in my garage.

I saved up and bought the system on the cover of the 1973 catalog, with MC1000 speakers and a BSR Lab12 changer. Then I upgraded to an SA900 amp but used the STA18 as a tuner. Both eventually got replaced and went by the wayside, but around 15 yrs ago when I wanted a system for the garage the only receiver I considered was another STA 18. Partly for sentiment, but also because it never failed. And still hasn’t.

i read somewhere what company they were made by..... can’t remember. Anybody know?
 
Triumph65 said:
@djwhy60 - One question I forgot to ask. What would a good price be on the above units you mentioned on eBay, in excellent condition? I realize I could stumble upon them at goodwill, craigslist, etc... but wanted to add an eBay search as well. There are several Sta-78 on the Bay right now but none theatre are “minty”
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@Triumph65 .....Just my opinion......The lower powered STAs ...in great shape and tested....no more than $75-$100. The STA-78.....tested and in good shape....$125 or so. The 2000 or 2000D brings premium prices most of the time...BUT if in nice condition $200 to $250 would not be out of line. Just take into account if they have been refurbished or not. There is always the cost of getting them redone.
 
I've had my Realistic STA-225 since new (1975). In all these years of use, it's been to the shop twice. Once for a tuner adjustment (it wouldn't hold the stereo signal) and more recently for replacement of the two main filter caps. It's in service now, nicely powering a pair of EPI 100 speakers.

It does have "sliders" for the volume control and they can get dirty. A shot of Fader Lube and they're good to go again.

As I recall, the STA-225 has around 50 wpc. And a nice FM tuner. Pretty to look at as well, with a green lit dial and real wood veneer cabinet.
 
I would go for the early discrete transistor models of the Hitachi or Foster era, up to around 1977. The fewer IC chips it has, the better. Allied (for a brief period also part of Radio Shack) had some good units too.
 
How about a STA 52 ? 12 wpc, but it gets the job done .
 

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