Realistic Collectors?

[BruceRPA]

Not a collector, but still have my old STA-42 Receiver which was the first component stereo device that I owned at about age 13 or 14. It has a channel not working and all the lamps are out, but I'm just starting to get into restorations and figured I might have a go at it as kind of a practice run.

Does anyone know if any service manuals or schematics are available or have any general info on where to start troubleshooting a bad channel in such as beast? (Hoping it's just a fuse).

The first thing to try is to operate the Tape Monitor switch about 50 times. It may just need to be cleaned, especially if you don't use that switch regularly. It's a common trouble spot for receivers that is often overlooked. A squirt of DeOxit inside the switch itself just might bring that bad channel back to life.

 

[bobaloniny]

Only have a few pieces of shack gear these days ,dx-440 ,sx190, and an optimus sct-53 dubbing deck(not so classic but seems to work well) got an eye on a pretty gnarly looking realistic cassette deck at the thrift, can't recall the model offhand but looks to be a hunka hunka burning love.

 

[BigManAndy]

woa, i didn't know Realistic was a brand worthy of anything. last time i was at the local thrift store, i have seen them there for a LONG time, theres a pair of Realistic speakers maybe 18 inches tall for i think 7 bucks. maybe i should pick them up for the hell of it. or at least jot down the numbers next time im there.

 

[evman140]

woa, i didn't know Realistic was a brand worthy of anything. last time i was at the local thrift store, i have seen them there for a LONG time, theres a pair of Realistic speakers maybe 18 inches tall for i think 7 bucks. maybe i should pick them up for the hell of it. or at least jot down the numbers next time im there.

Same here, I have a pair of Optimus T-120s and they are fantastic speakers but I was not aware that the brand as a whole was worth such a status. I always thought they were underestimated, but I guess this is false in the Hi-Fi community. Everyone outside this realm always looked down on them.

 

[Fletch]

I've have been very lucky when it comes to Realistic gear:
Nova-5's for $8 at GW - needed a refoam but was easy. They are in my wifes system.

Sta-84 Receiver I picked for $5 at the fleamarket - need a couple of knobs but Sanyofreak helped me with that - thanks again. A very nice warm sound with excellent detail. Now my Avatar,

Optimus-2's - free from a fellow recycler. They were sitting on her front step under some protection but they had a little water damage to the wood veneer. Cloth surrounds on the woofers which I was very suprised about. They sound great!!!!

So for less then $15 I have some nice gear to play around with.

 

[mashaffer]

Just like many brands there are some real winners and some low budget junk too. The trick is knowing what you are looking at.

mike

 

[ricohman]

So far I have an STA2000 and two pairs of Mach One 0424's.
And an equalizer.
The second pair of Mach's were $150 but they are just like new. So I couldn't pass on them.
My poor wife.....

 

[bryana]

Have a STA65b, and a STA-180. Both are pleasing. I do not like the slider volume knobs too well but everything else about them is good. Sound is very warm, Nice wood veneer cases and black face. Can be had pretty cheap too. I belive both were made by Hitachi. Have a few Nova series 5,6 and 10. Pretty decent sound for such a small price. THe surrounds on these seem to last forever.

 

[bryana]

pics of my sta65b

Just like the looks of this series. If I run across the two larger brothers I would like to pick them up.

 

[BostonDave]

I've had this STA-42 since about age 13. Pretty basic and it's no powerhouse, rated at 10 wpc, but it has volume. I used to have some 75 watt speakers as a teenager and the volume knob on this made the trek up to 10 a few times at least. I was happy enough with it and I knew was about all I could afford anyway. Still works, just waiting for some replacement lights to come in.

 

[asoundhound]

31-1988A eq, amp-200 power level meter, two mpa-125 pa amps (one is realistic, the other is optimus), and a pair of nova 7b's.

 

[Blast]

Just like many brands there are some real winners and some low budget junk too. The trick is knowing what you are looking at.

mike

And even in my case there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the budget models that made up my first stereo components. No matter how junk it is.

 

[mashaffer]

And even in my case there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the budget models that made up my first stereo components. No matter how junk it is.

Totally agree.

mike

 

[Blast]

Just like the looks of this series. If I run across the two larger brothers I would like to pick them up.

Oh, yeah! That was a sexy mofo. The whole series was! Love all that walnut on the case! And a black faceplate you can ACTUALLY READ!

 

[Johnny B.]

In the 90's I picked up a pair of speakers from an old girlfriend. Optimus 990's. Not bad. I then went back to her and tried to talk her into the receiver- a RS medium powered something or other...It sounded great with those speakers and I wished I had snagged them for a few cheap bucks more. Since then, I have been on the lookout. The sound compared to systems somewhat or considerably more expensive stayed in my mind. A good value overall- grab up the earlier stuff. I know nothing of product quality beyond 1985 or so.....

 

[DJTommyK]

I worked at the Shack in the late 80's. My manager was, as it turned out, an audio junkie! And of course, he had the best of the best hooked up at the store...for demonstration purposes you understand! :thmbsp:

Well, after the store closed, and if I was closing with him, we'd usually crank up whatever he happened to have brought along on CD. I distinctly remember being blown away by Mannheim Steamroller. I can honestly say that I haven't heard a better system in person, than the RS stuff we used to crank up back then.

*ETA* I guess my point was, don't overlook Realistic/Optimus. Good stuff, and still (relatively) under-priced from what I've seen.

 

[Sam Cogley]

My Nova-5s cost $9, foam cost $10 shipped, and the caps cost about $5. The sound is incredible - no way you could ever get close to touching them with any pair of speakers anywhere close to that price. I've been blaring Supertramp tonight, the sound is absolutely crisp and clean.

 

[BostonDave]

There's a local ad for a pair of 60w Novas (I believe they are Nova 15s from the picture - circa 1989). Is anyone familiar with these and know if they sound ok, have foam woofers etc? I've already responded to the ad. They're only asking $20,

 

[6mantoys]

realistic sa-1500 integrated any info

I just picked one up and am going to keep it but any info would be great

 

[Fletch]

My Nova-5s cost $9, foam cost $10 shipped, and the caps cost about $5. The sound is incredible - no way you could ever get close to touching them with any pair of speakers anywhere close to that price. I've been blaring Supertramp tonight, the sound is absolutely crisp and clean.

Mine cost me $8 at goodwill, surrounds were $6.48 shipped to my door. My first refoam as they were cheap and I knew if I messed up I I wouldn't be too upset. Imagine my suprise when I cranked them up. They sound great!! Need to cap mine though.........