An AM/FM stereo receiver made in Japan for Radio Shack's Realistic brand. Solid performance for casual listening in the late 1970s.
Overview
The Realistic STA-77 is an AM/FM stereo receiver made in Japan and sold through Radio Shack as part of the STA series. It came out around 1976 and was meant to bring accessible hi-fi audio to mainstream consumers across the U.S. It needs external speakers. The cabinet is wood, with a silver metal faceplate, an illuminated tuning display, a headphone jack, bass and treble controls, speaker A/B selection, and Quatravox circuitry. The catalog number is 31-2059.
Specifications
| Product Type | AM/FM Stereo Receiver |
| Power Output | 18 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) |
| Tuning Range | FM, MW |
| Output | 250mV (line), 10mV (DIN) |
| Speaker Impedance | Supports 4 or 8 ohms, A and B |
| Case Material | Wooden case |
Market
The Realistic STA-77 had a retail price of $599.95 in 1980. Units in fair condition have been listed for $99.99, and like-new ones have sold for $230. Common problems are burned-out bulbs, intermittent operation that needs a physical tap to fix, and failure of the RD24E diode. Replacement recap kits and service manuals are available for restoration.
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Related Models
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- Marantz 2235 (1974-1977)
- Marantz 2238B (1978-1980)
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