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Radio Shack

Theophilus Punoval

Theophilus Punoval

The Queen says it's OK...
I'm working on a system for a friend's teen-aged son. He's a pretty serious and super-smart so I have no qualms about misuse of the system. The question is about what receiver to get. I'd like to stay with Radio Shack.

I have a pair of Optimus 1b that are the next speaker restore project but haven't gotten to the receiver. Suggestions are welcome. I have a line on a Realistic STA 65. If antone knows if this combo is good or can suggest a better Radio Shack receiver for the Optimus 1b from 1975, please feel free.
 
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Id shoot for a STA 90, or STA 235b. The 90s nice sounding and nice on the eyes, the 235b has a little more muscle and punch, more aggressive I guess.
 
The STA 90 would be fine. But I would recommend the STA 225 over the 235, it is of slightly better construction and has a much "better" tuner.

I have an STA-95 that is a gorgeous looking piece (45 watts x 2) that I'm picking up some Nova 7Bs for (very similar to your Optimus 1bs). The 90 and 225 may be better build than the later 95?

Not as vintage and much later {cerca mid '80s} is the STA-2270 which has a very nice tuner in it and 65 watts x 2. Even though it is of a different decade I have a couple of Nova 8s for it.

A lot of the mid 70 STA receivers were made in Japan for Radio Shack and many of them are "sleepers" that you can get for a good price. Sound OK, too!

Good Luck!

cnh2
 
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You can check the Radio Shack Catalog Archives site for ideas.
If you look at the '75 catalog it should show the recommended receivers they have in their Good, Better and Best systems and any should work well.

That said, I would agree with the STA-90, STA-225 as nice receivers. The STA-90 seems to be more "modern" as far as build and vintage so you may not have as many issues as an older model. So age of the receiver may be a factor.

I think there have been some nice reviews on the STA-65 on AK as well. I would add the STA-2080 for consideration if you want more power.
 
I would look in the Radio Shack catalogs on www.radioshackcatalogs.com and see what Optimus 1 speakers were paired with what receiver. IMHO, I would go for a STA 90. 50 watts per channel, warm sound and 2 tape monitors, aux and phono input. It should be plenty for the Optimus 1 speakers.
 
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