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realistic sta-180 receiver
- Thread starter tientsdo
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riverrat373
Active Member
How does it sound to you?
cadman is right! Don't worry about how it sounds to someone else. Only you can be the judge of how it sounds. Too many people will reject something because someone else dissed it!
I remember the STA-180 as being a very good, rather potent receiver in it's day. I believe that the amplifier was a transformer-less direct-coupled design that helped to make it to be a very good clean sounding receiver. That also may have attributed to their somewhat unforgiving property of blowing the output transistors more often than other receivers did. Be careful about the minimum load impedance that you connect to it.
Also, be careful with those sliding volume controls! Don't use DeOxit or any other kind of conventional electrical contact cleaner on them. If they are carbon potentiometers you could ruin them with that stuff. Use FaderLube by Craig, the makers of DeOxit.
It's a keeper! Let us know how you make out with it.
Also, be careful with those sliding volume controls! Don't use DeOxit or any other kind of conventional electrical contact cleaner on them. If they are carbon potentiometers you could ruin them with that stuff. Use FaderLube by Craig, the makers of DeOxit.
It's a keeper! Let us know how you make out with it.
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tientsdo
Member
Well i just want to doublecheck my hearing,i've owned and heard lot of different separates and receivers(including mcintosh,conrad johnson etc...),both ss and tube,this realistic receiver with 60w per chanel sound better than any of those.its sounds so sweet and punchy non fatigue sound.
goldwax
dozy ming-mong
Cool-looking receiver! Kinda funky, but the tuner dials (what do they call that style again?), the light-up selector buttons, and the tuner section are really cool. The sepate AM/FM display/dials are also very interesting. Plus a classic black face!
And it sounds good, too? Heck, that's just icing on the cake!
(I bet the volume faders are a bit of a pain to use, though, huh?)
And it sounds good, too? Heck, that's just icing on the cake!
(I bet the volume faders are a bit of a pain to use, though, huh?)
AnalogDigit
Realistic fan.
Looks cool. I like the lighted push buttons. I'm glad you like how it sounds.
paymenow
Active Member
I have one of these that I am the original owner of. Currently it is in it's box ( too many receivers, tool little time). Among the features that are very useful are input trimmers and a 2 position mag cartidge level switch that allow for matching volume when switching functions. Also. the topside acccess to all connections. I always liked the sound of mine and never had any problems although mine was always rotated in and out of service. As far as the ease of use of the volume sliders, I much prefer them to concentric rotary controls for left/right and I always found them easy and convenient.
Analogdigit, seeing your avatar reminded me the Lester Lanin endorsed Radio Shack's recording tape.
Analogdigit, seeing your avatar reminded me the Lester Lanin endorsed Radio Shack's recording tape.
geraldm121
New Member
The STA180 is all time favorite Realistic Receiver and being an ex Radio Shack store manager (back in that day) it brings back a lot of memories. It would out preform the famous Allied 395 receiver in head to head testing especially the tuner section which was superb. They are pretty rare but I do own one (a beater I bought on eBay) but it needs a lot of work maybe when I retire in a few months!. As mentioned above it was very thoughtfully designed with input level controls and access to all of the input/output jacks and speaker terminals through the hinged panel on the top of the walnut veneered cabinet. Also the separate AM and FM tuning dials and Marantz type horizontal tuning wheels gave it a unique look quite different from the standard Pioneer/ Sansui look of the time.
buffdaddy
Buck Swopes Stereoworld
I've been contemplating which couple of receivers to let go and although a different beast than yours,my 45 WPC Realistic STA-90 was on the short list,mainly due to it being the only wood clad separate i own. From reading your thread i decided to see if a call from the governor would save it.I'm listening to it as I type and all i can say is wow! I forgot how wonderful it sounds.Realistic are really under rated products. I am running through all my receivers, amps and using the same playlist and it is coming out on top to my ears. As mentioned there is a ton of warmth and the sound is deep.
Metalownz
Audiophile? Getting there
bryana
You have my stapler!
I bought one about a year ago. Aside from some cosmetic issues,(crack in the plastic dial) and some chipped veneer its in pretty nice shape. It has a what I would describe as a very warm sound. Maybe a bit muddy sounding but the unit is quite old and surely would benefit from a thorough servicing to get it to sounding the way it likely did when new. Its quite heavy and appears to be well made. One interesting this is my pushbutton lights do not light up. I am at a loss as to how the bulb or bulbs are to be replaced. I decided to keep it and it is tucked away safely. Perhaps someday I will have it serviced and enjoy it again.
jancumps
iRock
But do you own their schematics? (oh no, a cross post anex thread hijack, but you never know)
Metalownz
Audiophile? Getting there
I do own the schematics yes.
jancumps
iRock
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