Being Realistic about audio packages

[Zed Simon]

Know how you just get a feeling you should oughta be somewhere at a certain time? I had that feeling today. I took a trip to a Salami store I had a real quick visit to on Friday.

When I was there today, I spotted one of those stereo packages of wayward components flung together to make a system: a Technics receiver, Realistic turntable and speakers. $20 as packaged. One of the workers spotted me trying to get the turntable to work (and failing) and asked me, "You like amps?". He took me into the back (I love and hate when that happens) and showed me a big Realistic receiver, took it out and hooked up one speaker to it (because he only had one wire). Then came the deal on a new, revised package: $40 if I take the speaks, receiver and a Realistic cassette deck right now.

Sold!

Then I got home and did some research.

The receiver was the very first RadioShack model with digital tuning, from 1980. It listed for $600 and was loaded. Digital clock, Dolby for FM and 60 watts per channel.

There were two versions of the Mach Ones. The first was generally regarded as better, and just by luck, that's the one I have. 15" woofers and horn-loaded midrange!

The cassette deck I know less about, but I do know it's a fully-loaded 3-head, and kinda heavy.

I guess that kinda blows the idea of loading up on old gear at Renningers in a couple weeks!

[foutchie]

sounds like you were in the right place at the right time, with the right guy working!

[Good Buddy]

I'm always afraid Radio Shack components are crap. Are most junk?
What about the Optimus stuff, is that like Acura is to Honda?
I'm still looking for a nice little receiver to run some kick butt vintage Altecs I have.
I'm also on the lookout for a great cassette deck with Dolby BC and S.

How much audio do you have Zed?

[Zed Simon]

It depends on what you're getting because so many manufacturers were involved. Receivers in the '70s and '80s (and some in the '90s) were usually made by Hitachi, Pioneer or Fostex. I've seen CD players and cassette decks of theirs made by Pioneer and Sanyo, but I'm sure a whole lot of others were involved. And a few years ago, the Shack was selling Pioneer-made receivers with the RCA brand on them! Now it's all made by the same megafacturer that contracts with Best Buy, Circuit City and every place else that has a house brand.

As for Realistic/Optimus, I think Optimus did start out as an upper level to Realistic.

I admit to having too much audio, and in a couple weeks will probably have more. At the moment I have 3 good receivers to get rid of (all in the 50-watt range), a bunch of cassette decks (none of which has anything more than Dolby B) and a few extra pairs of speakers. Maybe I should start a thrift shop for vintage geeks like us!

[SeSo_Says_So]

...
I admit to having too much audio, and in a couple weeks will probably have more. At the moment I have 3 good receivers to get rid of (all in the 50-watt range), a bunch of cassette decks (none of which has anything more than Dolby B) and a few extra pairs of speakers. Maybe I should start a thrift shop for vintage geeks like us!

Hey Zed, congrats on your major haul. What a lovely way to (officially) kick off the '08 thrift season.

I think your idea of starting a thrift shop for vintage audio geeks like y'all is a groovy idea. You could start a vintage audio geek coop and call it:
"Vintage Audio Geek Co-op". Seriously, how may folk out there would repair their beloved stuff if they could only find parts? (Radio tubes, anybody?)

[Jay2TheRescue]

...
I admit to having too much audio, and in a couple weeks will probably have more. At the moment I have 3 good receivers to get rid of (all in the 50-watt range), a bunch of cassette decks (none of which has anything more than Dolby B) and a few extra pairs of speakers. Maybe I should start a thrift shop for vintage geeks like us!

Hey Zed, congrats on your major haul. What a lovely way to (officially) kick off the '08 thrift season.

I think your idea of starting a thrift shop for vintage audio geeks like y'all is a groovy idea. You could start a vintage audio geek coop and call it:
"Vintage Audio Geek Co-op". Seriously, how may folk out there would repair their beloved stuff if they could only find parts? (Radio tubes, anybody?)

Last time I needed some t00bs I was able to special order them from Radio Shack.  They had a huge catalog of just about any tube I could imagine.  Do they still do that?

-Jay

[SeSo_Says_So]

Jay wrote
"Last time I needed some t00bs I was able to special order them from Radio Shack.  They had a huge catalog of just about any tube I could imagine.  Do they still do that?"

You know, I don't know. Anybody have any idea? I remember the days when you could walk into a radio/tv store and have the tubes tested. I have a stand-up Grunow All Wave, which I got at a tag sale in the early 80s. It still works, if we rig the wiring right---like an antenna on the wall. Once Christmas time we got the Pope doing midnight mass. It's a tube and takes time to warm up. I am always so afraid we are going to blow a tube and there won't be any replacements available.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Jay wrote
"Last time I needed some t00bs I was able to special order them from Radio Shack.  They had a huge catalog of just about any tube I could imagine.  Do they still do that?"

You know, I don't know. Anybody have any idea? I remember the days when you could walk into a radio/tv store and have the tubes tested. I have a stand-up Grunow All Wave, which I got at a tag sale in the early 80s. It still works, if we rig the wiring right---like an antenna on the wall. Once Christmas time we got the Pope doing midnight mass. It's a tube and takes time to warm up. I am always so afraid we are going to blow a tube and there won't be any replacements available.

I can remember as a kid our Sylvania console TV went out.  Dad got the oscilloscope out and started going over it.  He determined that a tube must be bad, but he wasn't sure which one.  He took all the tubes out of the TV and we drove to Radio Shack where they had a huge self service tube tester which must have had 100 different sockets, knobs, and dials on it.  We were there for a while testing all the tubes before we finally found the bad one.  We bought the replacement and then went home, put all the tubes back in and watched TV... 

-Jay

[ChrisMiss]

My grandfather used to repair radios.  He was blind so I don't know how he did it but I have pictures of him in his shop with all the old radios with tubes and all the other stuff that he needed to work on them. 

[Big Daddy Audio]

Zed - Excellent haul!  The early Mach Ones are good speakers.

But man - you're killing me with the "no model numbers" post.  With model numbers, I can picture the stuff in my head.  The receiver is probably an STA-2280 or something like that, right?  Let me know, and I can dig up some information on them...

Also - PICTURES (Hey Michael - we need a section in the gallery for us "Vintage Audio Geeks" - maybe call it, Thrifted Audio - Thanks)

As a flip side to your sweet take, I was in the Salvation Army this morning in old-town Peoria, and they had a "system" made up of:

Mid-range JVC tuner from mid-late 1980's
Mid-range JVC integrated amp from mid-late 1980's
2 speakers of unknown brand which had been repainted with that "stonekote" paint or whatever they call it
one dilapidated stereo and TV cabinet.

The called it a 5-piece system.  Price?

$224.95. 

Whoever priced this thing must have been high on crack.  I hate to use such nasty language, but dang.  Can somebody please GET A CLUE!

See you next time
bye for now 

[Zed Simon]

Pretty close on that model number. It's an STA-2200. The cassette is an SCT-3000. Dolby and bias calibration controls on this 3-headed monster. Have to order belts for it.

Too bad about that "system" you found. Calling it 5 pieces is cheating, I say.

And as for pictures, what the forum software needs is a way to upload pictures directly from PCs (or Macs) without having to host them.

[Good Buddy]

Hey Michael - we need a section in the gallery for us "Vintage Audio Geeks" - maybe call it, Thrifted Audio - Thanks

Done!

Speaking of pricers being "high on crack"...
There was a thrift in Stuart FL we went to that had a $100 cheapo gas grill for $225. I bet they reduce that price as I'm sure it'll take up valuable space in the shop for some time. It was brand new but should have been priced at $40 at most.

[SeSo_Says_So]

Hey Michael - we need a section in the gallery for us "Vintage Audio Geeks" - maybe call it, Thrifted Audio - Thanks

Done!

Speaking of pricers being "high on crack"...
There was a thrift in Stuart FL we went to that had a $100 cheapo gas grill for $225. I bet they reduce that price as I'm sure it'll take up valuable space in the shop for some time. It was brand new but should have been priced at $40 at most.

Dahling, it's Stuart! You mean you can't afford it? It's Stuart! Everybody's rich in Stuart (at least they think they are )

[oceangurl]

Seso, you crack me up girl! ;)I have a friend who's mother owns a condo in Jupiter Island, just down from Stuart, I used to go there once a yr and meet up with her. There are some Awesome thrifts there, the goodwill is outrageous, it has alot of designer items, because (if you dont know) Jupiter Island is a very toney and wealthy community with huge mansions on the water, these people have to get rid of their old (new to me, lol) items and they bring it to the goodwill there. In fact that is my favourite goodwill and I have been to many all over. Another good shop there by the ocean is the Ladies Hospital Auxillary one, I find the best fashions and expensive designer labels in both of those. But alas I havent been in a couple of yrs as Iam not really talking to this particular girlfriend right now. I would just hop in the car and go there anyhow but it is 3 and 1/2 hours from my house so needless to say I wont be going any in the near future!

[SeSo_Says_So]

Seso, you crack me up girl! ;)I have a friend who's mother owns a condo in Jupiter Island, just down from Stuart, I used to go there once a yr and meet up with her. There are some Awesome thrifts there, the goodwill is outrageous, it has alot of designer items, because (if you dont know) Jupiter Island is a very toney and wealthy community with huge mansions on the water, these people have to get rid of their old (new to me, lol) items and they bring it to the goodwill there. In fact that is my favourite goodwill and I have been to many all over. Another good shop there by the ocean is the Ladies Hospital Auxillary one, I find the best fashions and expensive designer labels in both of those. But alas I havent been in a couple of yrs as Iam not really talking to this particular girlfriend right now. I would just hop in the car and go there anyhow but it is 3 and 1/2 hours from my house so needless to say I wont be going any in the near future!

I knew you'd get it, gurl! Yeah, I know what you mean about gas prices cutting down on our thrifting jaunts, unless it is in conjunction with other jaunts as well...you know, "cost effective".

I get such a hoot about folk who move to Stuart, usually retirees, who think they have moved to some sort of Rich Person's nirvana. There is so much poverty in Florida, it's pathetic. I don't care how big the golf course is you're living on, this is NOT Greenwich, dahling!

However, I am thrilled that all those richies donate their goodies for you to buy, when you can.

Our GW and SA here can't put anything out, first they have to ship it to the "big city" branch, go through it,and then ship stuff here. Since we are a poor community, we get the dregs. Though sometimes, there are gems. The independent thrifts definetely have the better stuff, about 99.5% of the time. What's interesting to me is that the Central Florida Goodwill, which sells online at the Goodwill site, is always selling these incredible handbags. They don't even make it to the floor anymore.

BTW, I sent you an email. I hope you got it, gurl!
ciao, seso