Realistic STA-2200 (c. 1980–1981)

What's known about the Realistic STA-2200 comes almost entirely from magazine ads and a published specification summary in early 1981. No service manual, no owner's booklet, no production run details have turned up yet.

Audio (February 1981, p.40) listed the full manufacturer's specs. The FM tuner section quoted a mono usable sensitivity of 10.3 dBf (1.8 µV/300 ohms), mono S/N of 68 dB, and image rejection of 75 dB. The AM side was rated at 10 µV sensitivity with 45 dB image rejection. Total harmonic distortion was given as 0.02 percent. Phono input sensitivity was 2.2 mV with a 200 mV overload ceiling. High-level inputs needed 160 mV. Signal-to-noise was 65 dB on phono and 75 dB on high level.

The advertising ran in multiple issues of Audio and HiFI/Stereo during 1980. It leaned hard on the phrase "an impressive value for the money," attributed to a review (possibly the same source that took the measurements). One ad described it as "a highly advanced stereo receiver which sounds every bit as good as its specifications and our measurements suggest." The front panel had a digital frequency readout, station-preset buttons, and a microprocessor that handled tuning and memory functions. The amplifier section used MOSFET output transistors, which Realistic promoted as giving cleaner high-frequency response than conventional bipolars.

Beyond those fragments, the record is thin. No production years are confirmed. The ad and spec coverage span late 1980 to early 1981, which probably brackets its retail life. No power output figure appears in the surviving magazine material, and neither do dimensions or weight.

Known Specifications (from manufacturer’s published data)

FM Tuner: Mono usable sensitivity 10.3 dBf (1.8 µV/300 ohms); mono S/N 68 dB; image rejection 75 dB; rated THD 0.02%
AM Tuner: Sensitivity 10 µV; image rejection 45 dB; IF rejection 47 dB; distortion 1.0%
Amplifier: MOSFET output stage; total harmonic distortion 0.02%
Input Sensitivity: Phono 2.2 mV; high level 160 mV
Phono Overload: 200 mV
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Phono 65 dB; high level 75 dB
Tuning System: Microprocessor-controlled digital (computerized all-digital tuner)