![]() Prior to lubrication the tuning, for example, was stiff and noisy, now it’s buttery-smooth and spins for ages when you twirl the knob. With the new transistor pair in place, it’s time to adjust DC offset and do a few other service-related tasks… …like lubricating the many moving parts in the tuning mechanism, switches and controls. That’s where experience and diagnostics on the actual unit come into play. Testing semiconductors doesn’t always reveal their faults. They tested well, but one or both were noisy. This pair of transistors was the problem. It’s fiddly to remove the module and separate the board and heatsink, but well-designed overall. There are some power and preamp elements hidden underneath. Bottom left is the RF front end, and next to it, the tuner board. Middle left is the phono pre, next to it some power and protection stuff, next to it the filter capacitors. ![]() Realistic Quality, love it! Two amplifier modules, top left, generous transformer top right. Let’s go! Nice spacious layout in older gear like this makes it a pleasure to work on. Let’s take a look and check out some of the extra little things I do when working on vintage hi-fi gear. These won’t fail again and I’m happy to report the unit is now singing again and back with her happy owner. I replaced a noisy transistor differential pair using high-spec parts, similar in performance, but with a much higher voltage rating. This STA-2000 arrived with a broken left channel, stiff tuning and looking a little dull. Signal-to-noise ratio: 70dB (MM), 75dB (line)įinish: silver front, walnut veneer side panels Power output: 75 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) Anyway, you can read Ed, Norman and many other people’s contributions in the comments! Realistic STA-2000 Specifications Tandy was certainly big enough by this point that they could have either purchased an OEM and called it Tandy or built their own factory from scratch. It clearly states that the STA-2000 was made in Tandy’s own factory, though there’s still some uncertainty around this as some STA-2000s were made in Japan and some in Korea. Ed also provided a link from the Tandy catalogue page about the STA-2000. UpdateĮd has provided some excellent additional information about which models were made where, and by whom. I’m sure more information will come to light and if you have anything additional to contribute to this story, please do so in the comments, below. Perhaps the only way to know exactly would be to speak to someone who worked in or managed some aspect of the factory back in the day. It’s difficult to know for certain who actually manufactured these and other electronics for Tandy Corp. More recently, however, Ed commented that Norman’s information was incorrect and that Tandy did in fact made this and many other models, in their own factory. This ties in with my thinking at the time. Norman told me that the STA-2000 was manufactured by Foster, a Japanese OEM who made speakers, radios and various other electronics for many companies back in the day. ![]() Thanks to Norman and Ed, American readers who worked for Tandy Corporation, we have more information on this, though perhaps still no definitive answers. I was under the impression that Tandy didn’t make their own stuff and that a major Japanese manufacturer OEM’ed this and other models for them. The STA-2000 has a distinctly Pioneer vibe in terms of aesthetics, but there’s a bit more to it. I was especially interested in Tandy’s hi-fi section, who’d have guessed? I had a small pair of Realistic speakers and lusted after the legendary Mach One speakers proudly on display at my local store, probably not far away from this old girl. One of my favourite things was my Science Fair 200-in-1 electronics kit, a Christmas present from my parents, purchased from Tandy Electronics. As a kid, I used to hang visit the local Tandy store and marvel at all the wonderful array of electronics for sale. The Realistic STA-2000 was sold here in Australia in the late ’70s, through the Tandy Electronics chain. This Realistic STA-2000 is one of the most beautiful receivers I’ve had the pleasure of working on. 3.4 Related Wow, take a look at this beautiful old girl.
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