Show us your Realistic (Radio Shack) stuff

[A/D/Slover]

Cple recently acquisitions

 

[Ned2865]

Here's my little collection of those slim RS receivers




I also own the STA-52B, STA-95, STA-960, STA-2080, STA-2290, STA-2000D, STA-2300 and STA-2100D. I started collecting in 2020. At first, I just wanted to buy the receivers I had when I was a teenager (STA-730 and STA-2290), but started talking with other passionate people and it motivated me to buy also the receivers I've always wanted to buy lolll.

 

[Lavane]

Here's my little collection of those slim RS receivers

View attachment 3637202


I also own the STA-52B, STA-95, STA-960, STA-2080, STA-2290, STA-2000D, STA-2300 and STA-2100D. I started collecting in 2020. At first, I just wanted to buy the receivers I had when I was a teenager (STA-730 and STA-2290), but started talking with other passionate people and it motivated me to buy also the receivers I've always wanted to buy lolll.

Nice. I think I like the looks of the one on the bottom best. I just never cared for the digital displays personally.

 

[Bodyblue]

Here's my little collection of those slim RS receivers

View attachment 3637202


I also own the STA-52B, STA-95, STA-960, STA-2080, STA-2290, STA-2000D, STA-2300 and STA-2100D. I started collecting in 2020. At first, I just wanted to buy the receivers I had when I was a teenager (STA-730 and STA-2290), but started talking with other passionate people and it motivated me to buy also the receivers I've always wanted to buy lolll.

I have a System 11 as well. It has a setting so it sounds better with Minimus 7s. It is a great little unit.

 

[old 2080]

Here's my little collection of those slim RS receivers

View attachment 3637202


I also own the STA-52B, STA-95, STA-960, STA-2080, STA-2290, STA-2000D, STA-2300 and STA-2100D. I started collecting in 2020. At first, I just wanted to buy the receivers I had when I was a teenager (STA-730 and STA-2290), but started talking with other passionate people and it motivated me to buy also the receivers I've always wanted to buy lolll.

I still own a 111 although it needs to be looked into, which still hasn't happened. IIRC a channel started to have issues so I put it on the shelf to be looked into at a later date. It sounded great until the channel issue cropped up. Still want to get that one up and working right again.

 

[old 2080]

I've owned this SAF-24 for a few years now, but it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I had a tech go-over it. I met the guy through Marketplace when I responded to an ad for a Heath-Kit amp and a Allied tube receiver which he had already serviced prior to listing them for sale, I bought both. Both are in great shape. He's retired and really only works on his own projects at home but very kindly agreed to go through my amp. He had it done in just two weeks and I picked up Sunday morning. He's now going to go through three other small Realistic tube amps I also own. Really glad I met this guy, I told him there was no rush what so ever on any of them, and I wasn't expecting the 24 to be done that fast, I didn't want to be a burden, he seamed excited to look at the the others I brought him to go through, so I think we have a pretty good relationship now...... .......pictures of the 24 and the Heath-Kit and Allied I bought, also the mini Sa-203 and two Carnival amps, (only one shown).

 

[Lavane]

I've owned this SAF-24 for a few years now, but it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I had a tech go-over it. I met the guy through Marketplace when I responded to an ad for a Heath-Kit amp and a Allied tube receiver which he had already serviced prior to listing them for sale, I bought both. Both are in great shape. He's retired and really only works on his own projects at home but very kindly agreed to go through my amp. He had it done in just two weeks and I picked up Sunday morning. He's now going to go through three other small Realistic tube amps I also own. Really glad I met this guy, I told him there was no rush what so ever on any of them, and I wasn't expecting the 24 to be done that fast, I didn't want to be a burden, he seamed excited to look at the the others I brought him to go through, so I think we have a pretty good relationship now...... .......pictures of the 24 and the Heath-Kit and Allied I bought, also the mini Sa-203 and two Carnival amps, (only one shown).View attachment 3638262View attachment 3638263View attachment 3638264View attachment 3638265View attachment 3638266

I like those little RS integrated amps, power amps and tuners.

 

[mfenberg]

Does this count? Got one at R/S in 1990.

View attachment 3497517

I found mine! Unfortunately, it's NOT from RS! Still cool, though!

 

[nevertoomuch]

Big fan of Realistic gear. Just got my STA-2200 back from the doctor yesterday. She sounds SO GOOD! The Lab 400 is my daily driver and I love the slim System 11 receivers. Great harmonic range, beautiful look, and great build.

Several others not pictured. Thank you, Radio Shack!

 

[nevertoomuch]

Here's my little collection of those slim RS receivers

View attachment 3637202


I also own the STA-52B, STA-95, STA-960, STA-2080, STA-2290, STA-2000D, STA-2300 and STA-2100D. I started collecting in 2020. At first, I just wanted to buy the receivers I had when I was a teenager (STA-730 and STA-2290), but started talking with other passionate people and it motivated me to buy also the receivers I've always wanted to buy lolll.

I just posted pics of the exact same stack I have. I also have the 750 in another room. Great minds think alike.

 

[kgetchmaine]

I've owned this SAF-24 for a few years now, but it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I had a tech go-over it. I met the guy through Marketplace when I responded to an ad for a Heath-Kit amp and a Allied tube receiver which he had already serviced prior to listing them for sale, I bought both. Both are in great shape. He's retired and really only works on his own projects at home but very kindly agreed to go through my amp. He had it done in just two weeks and I picked up Sunday morning. He's now going to go through three other small Realistic tube amps I also own. Really glad I met this guy, I told him there was no rush what so ever on any of them, and I wasn't expecting the 24 to be done that fast, I didn't want to be a burden, he seamed excited to look at the the others I brought him to go through, so I think we have a pretty good relationship now...... .......pictures of the 24 and the Heath-Kit and Allied I bought, also the mini Sa-203 and two Carnival amps, (only one shown).View attachment 3638262View attachment 3638263View attachment 3638264View attachment 3638265View attachment 3638266

What is that little Realistic tube amp? The pic above the Carnival. Thats kinda cool!

 

[ernieb1536]

Big fan of Realistic gear. Just got my STA-2200 back from the doctor yesterday. She sounds SO GOOD! The Lab 400 is my daily driver and I love the slim System 11 receivers. Great harmonic range, beautiful look, and great build.

Several others not pictured. Thank you, Radio Shack!

View attachment 3775915View attachment 3775916

 

[old 2080]

I came across a Marketplace listing for a STA-36 a few days back, listing stated it had a broken mono/stereo switch and that it was stuck in stereo mode. That really didn't bother me, so I went and looked at it anyway. The seller turned out to be a great guy with lots of great vintage stereo gear. He hooked up the little 36 and as I was watching him tune a station in, I noticed the stereo light wouldn't light up, we moved the simple dipole antenna all around and still nothing, so I was concerned that maybe it was stuck in mono. He quickly said I have another 36 that he was going to try and fix but couldn't find the broken source switch for it, otherwise all else worked, he threw in with the one I went for for free. When I got home I pulled the good stereo/mono switch from the one with the broken source switch and put it in the nice unit, also used the nicer case from it as well. I can't stress enough how good these sound, the stereo light still doesn't work and I have the bulb for it and may try this weekend to install it, but it does go into both stereo and mono now with the good switch. I may still try to fix the other if someone parts one out with the needed switches.....

 

[Bill Ashton]

When I worked for Radio Schaak from 1969 through 1974, I never liked the STA-36, for no good reason. Played fine, sold well, really never came back for service! But I disliked the cosmetics, irritated it replaced the STA-35B, which truly was probably no more than a loud table radio.

If I saw one today, I'd scoff it in a heartbeat, you did good!

 

[old 2080]

So a couple days ago I pulled the 36 back apart to solder in a new stereo light, all's good now on this little classic, from top to bottom, the 36, model 18, and a 45b, all of these are great little receivers......

 

[old 2080]

Another classic I grabbed a couple months back, it will be heading to my tech this next week to be gone through. It looks almost as if NOS.

 

[MoreCowbell]

SA-1000 Integrated Amp, made in Japan by Foster/Fostex. Was given this by a former college roommate a few months ago whose father had moved out of his house. It wouldn't power on when I got it. This was resolved by disassembling the power switch and cleaning the contacts. Getting the switch back together was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do when working on audio gear. No signs of anything getting burnt, so I did a full recap and it works great.

TM-1000 tuner, also made in Japan by Foster/Fostex. Was looking for the matching tuner to the SA-1000 and got very lucky yesterday at an estate sale. Powers on, lights up, but there is absolutely no sound coming out of it. The output level control pot is good. Further inspection revealed two caps, both NTK 470uf/16v, have burst. On line documentation (service manual, schematics) seems sparse, so I'll replace the four largest caps that includes the two burst ones and hope that fixes it.

TM-70 tuner, made in Japan possibly by Foster/Fostex. Came with the SA-1000 and is fully functional.

TR-802 8 track player, made in Korea, not sure by whom. Purchased new by me back in the 70's. Don't know if it works. Too many things in front of it to get to it right now.

I must note that the real wood cabinets of the SA-1000 and TM-70 spent all their lives in a temperature controlled environment and are pristine as a result. The walnut veneers are fairly thick by today's standards and look amazing. These cabinets might be worth more than the electronics that they cover. The cabinet of the newly acquired TM-1000 needs a little attention, but has not suffered any serious gouges that I frequently see in similar gear online. The 8 track recorder has real vinyl veneer. ; )

 

[Bill Ashton]

The Realistic TM-70 is pretty old, I would guess pre-1970...sold them as a teen working in RS in high school! Well, not many, top end of 2 or 3 tuners in the line then ...also available in kit form I think

---

This page is from a 1970 or later catalog ("Allied Radio Schaack), but it was in the line for a while before I started there....

 

[Lavane]

SA-1000 Integrated Amp, made in Japan by Foster/Fostex. Was given this by a former college roommate a few months ago whose father had moved out of his house. It wouldn't power on when I got it. This was resolved by disassembling the power switch and cleaning the contacts. Getting the switch back together was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do when working on audio gear. No signs of anything getting burnt, so I did a full recap and it works great.

TM-1000 tuner, also made in Japan by Foster/Fostex. Was looking for the matching tuner to the SA-1000 and got very lucky yesterday at an estate sale. Powers on, lights up, but there is absolutely no sound coming out of it. The output level control pot is good. Further inspection revealed two caps, both NTK 470uf/16v, have burst. On line documentation (service manual, schematics) seems sparse, so I'll replace the four largest caps that includes the two burst ones and hope that fixes it.

TM-70 tuner, made in Japan possibly by Foster/Fostex. Came with the SA-1000 and is fully functional.

TR-802 8 track player, made in Korea, not sure by whom. Purchased new by me back in the 70's. Don't know if it works. Too many things in front of it to get to it right now.

I must note that the real wood cabinets of the SA-1000 and TM-70 spent all their lives in a temperature controlled environment and are pristine as a result. The walnut veneers are fairly thick by today's standards and look amazing. These cabinets might be worth more than the electronics that they cover. The cabinet of the newly acquired TM-1000 needs a little attention, but has not suffered any serious gouges that I frequently see in similar gear online. The 8 track recorder has real vinyl veneer. ; )

The SA-1000A and TM-1000 tuner was the heart of my very first system bought new when I was in high school. The tuner is worth repairing. Its a nice sounding little tuner. I still have the tuner. I had bought a second SA-1000A amp a few years back, recapped it, and gave it to one of my sons.

 

[jqp]

Lab 300 is the only piece of Realistic gear I have a picture of at the moment. After many cartridge swaps, I finally reunited the Lab 300 with the Realistic R1000E cartridge that came with it. Quite pleased with the results.