Realistic STA-117 (1987)
That hulking black box from RadioShack with the glowing digital tuner - cheap, loud, and full of surprises.
Overview
The Realistic STA-117 is a slab of 1980s consumer audio, sold under RadioShack's house brand and built to deliver maximum watts per dollar. Released in 1987, this AM/FM stereo receiver wasn't trying to win audiophile awards. It was built to power bedroom stereos, college dorm setups, and budget living room systems. Turn it on, tune in, crank it up. It was part of the long-running STA series, and it carried on Realistic's tradition of bringing receiver technology within reach of everyday buyers, with digital tuning, solid power output, and basic source options in a utilitarian chassis.
The STA-117 is a transistorized, mass-market receiver with a digital synthesizer tuner, a feature that still felt futuristic to many shoppers flipping through the RadioShack catalog. It wasn't flashy, but it worked. It was designed to be the centerpiece of a modest stereo stack, driving bookshelf speakers with enough volume to fill a room. It lacked the refinement of higher-end receivers from brands like Pioneer or Sony. What it offered its target audience was reliability, simplicity, and punchy sound at a price that wouldn't break the bank.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Realistic, the house brand of Radio Shack (Tandy Corporation) |
| Product type | Digital Synthesized AM/FM Stereo Receiver |
| Production year | 1987 |
| Power output | 55 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) |
| Frequency response | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Total harmonic distortion | 0.3% |
| Input sensitivity | 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line) |
| Signal to noise ratio | 84dB (MM), 100dB (line) |
| Tuning range | FM, MW |
| Dimensions | 430 x 110 x 245mm |
| Weight | 6.1kg |
| Accepts 2 sets of speakers | A & B |
| Inputs | Tape 1, Aux 1, Aux 2, Phono |
| Tuner type | Digital synthesizer tuner |
Key Features
Digital Synthesizer Tuner
The digital synthesizer tuner was one of the STA-117's standout features for its time, a significant upgrade over the analog dial tuners on earlier budget receivers. It allowed precise frequency selection, station memory (implied by synthesizer tuning, though the exact number of presets is not confirmed), and improved reception stability, especially on the FM band. No more fiddling with a sticky tuning knob or chasing fading signals. The MW (medium wave) AM band was also covered, which suits talk radio, news, and local stations.
Output Stage Design
Under the hood, the STA-117 used UPC1225 VAS brick modules to drive the output transistor current pair. This was a common integrated solution in mid-tier receivers of the 1980s. The modules helped streamline manufacturing and reduce costs while delivering consistent performance. They are not as serviceable as discrete transistor designs, but they gave the receiver's 55-watt output a stable foundation.
Historical Context
The STA-117 was part of the broader Realistic STA series, which included models like the STA-95 and STA-2100D, all aimed at budget-conscious consumers. RadioShack sold this functional, no-frills gear through its vast network of retail stores. By 1987, the integrated stereo receiver had become the dominant form factor for home audio, combining AM/FM tuning, preamp functions, and power amplification in a single chassis. The STA-117 fit that trend, with a modern feature set like digital tuning at a price accessible to students, young professionals, and casual listeners.
Collectibility & Value
Today, the Realistic STA-117 trades on the secondary market as a functional vintage receiver rather than a high-value collectible. Recent eBay listings show prices ranging from $50 to $109, with international examples selling for CA$61, CA$109, or £99 depending on condition and region. A listing on PicClick showed a unit priced at $29.75, while another on Reverb was listed at $38 plus $39 shipping five years ago, which suggests limited appreciation over time. One owner reported purchasing a working STA-117 with two speakers for $20.
The most commonly reported issue is a weak or failing output channel, typically caused by blown output transistors and/or emitter resistors. This is a known failure point in receivers using this output stage design. It is not difficult to repair for someone with soldering experience, but buyers should test units thoroughly or budget for servicing. The receiver has a 55-watt output and dual speaker switching (A/B), which makes it a practical choice for a period-correct 1980s setup.
eBay Listings
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Related Models
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- Realistic STA-235B (1975)
- Realistic STA-450 (1975)
- Realistic STA-52 (1975)
- Realistic STA-800 (1975)
- Eico 3150 (1967)
- Fisher CUSTOM-ELECTRA-I (K-14/K-15) (1957)
- Fisher CUSTOM-ELECTRA IV (E33/E44) (1960)
- Akai AM-2400 (1978)
- Akai AM-2600 (1977)