This is a beautiful sounding, very powerful brute. I replaced a fuse inside, cleaned it, continued to work on the balance control which is now quiet, and have it driving the JBL L88 Plus 12s with authority. In researching this piece I learned that Radio Shack used at least 3 or 4 suppliers for receiver manufacture. I was pretty sure (no clues inside) that this was made by Pioneer, but the thick, green edged glass tuner scale cover reminds me more of Onkyo. I found this information on a site that specializes in evaluating the tuner section of many receivers:
STA-2080 - This 80 watt per channel analog receiver has 4 large analog meters running across the top, and just flat-out looks fabulous. It also performs well. The tuner has 4 gangs and 3 ceramic filters. Used as a standalone tuner via its line-out jacks, it sounds surprisingly good, better than many standalone tuners. This is probably due to the MOSFETs used in the preamp section.
The unit is conservatively rated at 80 watts/channel and the power meters go to 150. It sounds very powerful, clean and airy. I'm asked what difference in sound a more powerful amp makes in an already efficient system, and in my opinion air and ambience are the rewards.
This sounds great driving the Advent short stack!
e-mail me.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI recently came across the sta 2080. I also am smitten by it. I have it driving a pair of Onkyo SK10's but plan on trying my re built fisher STV 740's with neo 8 tweeters soon. Now is there a set of mods or some improvements for the amp, mine is nearly perfect with only the balance showing any crackle when turned.
Thanks a lot for this blog.
Srinath.
Hey, If you ever come across mach 1's or cerwin vega at 15 vs 150 dx 9 you're neighbours are going to hate you, that Receiver was Known as the KRUSHER at my parties.
ReplyDeletei found sta 2080 realistic receiver on street excellent shape
ReplyDeleteI just found one and in mint condition for $30. Beautiful and powerful driving my Ohms FRS-9s' and PSB 5s'.
ReplyDeleteGoing to sell my Yamaha RX-V850.
I found one of these at the Salvation Army store for...$2.99! I took it home, cleaned it up (NO dust inside)took it apart and cleaned the front plate and all the knobs etc. in the sink, put it all back together and turned it on. It crackled a bit until it warmed up about 10 minutes, but this thing is a looker. I have a '70's Pioneer (love these old receivers) that also works well. I'm thinking of making this my new main guy. With the power meters and a midrange control, as well as very good sound and an amp like a V-8, this thing pushes! Regardless of price, I really like this. It will not leave the house. It also has (to my pleasant surprise) a Pioneer-esk Tape Monitor control switch pattern, alowing dubbing either direction. Say what you will, I'm keeping this baby!
ReplyDeleteHey there, just dug out my STA2080 after many years of sitting, seems to work great. Someone stole the speakers I had bought with it, also Realistic. At the time it would rattle the dishes in the cupboard and knock the pictures off the wall.
ReplyDeleteI need a pair of good quality speakers that will do the same, any suggestions??????? What's your take on Bose speakers and which ones???
Rich
Hi all, I'm new to the site! My name is Ed, or you can call me Lawn Tractor Nut, either will do! I've been searching for a service manual for a Realistic STA-2080, but haven't found anything on the internet, I was hoping that maybe someone on here could help me out? My STA-2080 needs some work and I want to get it done a.s.a.p. it's a great receiver, and I love the awesome sound, but she keeps on overheating after about a half hour of use, so any help would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteService manual for this now available via hifienginecom need to login/register to download it. Stops opening up around 10-11 o'clock using Realistic Machs. I do find myself thinking it could open up those Mach's better with more power as in 120w model Realistic can but even then it's only less loud by a notch or two w/some tweaks to low/mids/highs! Nice compromise model between the more powerful 120w 2100s and the dream system 2000 in looks, power, and sheer size IMHO.
ReplyDeleteJust bought an STA-2080. All the good things you've read about this receiver are true. I have an STA-2000, and an STA-2300, and this 2080 sounds cleaner and crisper than either of them.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with the 'airy' aspect of the comment; if I were only allowed to have one receiver, and the sound--or lack of coloration of it--was the deciding factor, the STA-2080 would be it, hands down. This unit lacks the 'tubby' or 'boomy' sound of the STA-2000 or STA-2300. It also has a MUCH better loudness loop; the STA-2300 decends into murkiness in the loudness mode, and the STA-2000's loudness feature is just out and out unusable in its over the top severity. The STA-2080's loudness loop, however, is tuned and crafted very precisely, and warms and rounds out and fills in low listening levels very comfortably and pleasurably.
The 'flat-out looks fabulous' comment is right on the money, too--in low or no light conditions, the blue dial and large power and tuning meters have a beautiful glow, and a look of class, dignity, quality, and power. I thought I really like the look of the STA-2000, STA-2000D, STA-2100, STA-2100D, and STA-2300--and don't get me wrong: I do!--but the STA-2080 has a look of it's own, and it is very appealing to the eye. It is somewhat Marantz-esque in appearance, and will add a touch of class to any setting.
Power-wise, right off the bat you can tell that the 80 watt per channel rating is conservative at best. It drives big speakers--and 4 ohm loads--effortlessly, and with authority, and has loads of headroom. It is truly a powerhouse receiver.
The tuner section is at least as sensitive as the STA-2000, which itself is moreso than the STA-2300, so if that's your deciding criteria in a receiver, the STA-2080 is it.
This receiver is big, heavy, powerful, clean-sounding, and classy. It is truly the sleeper of Realistic receivers, and got lost in the hype and promotion of the other 2000 series models. It has build quality second to none. If you ever get a chance at one of these units, don't pass it up. You won't be sorry.
Glad to see that there are a few more out there that like the 2080. I have had mine now for almost a year now, and I am extremely happy with it. I managed to pick up a pair of Mach ones for it and it sounds incredible. I also picked up a LAB-400 truntable, and it's like going back in time listening to the vynalon this great system. Anyone getting a chance to own one of these beauties will know how I feel! I wish I could post some pic's of it on here, because not only did I have a lot of internal work done to it, I also refurbished the front face and end caps!
ReplyDeleteI just bought mine for $280 with some nice custom work on the case to give it a new wooden veneer. Everything original, everything working perfectly. It is coming from a technician/hobbyist who cleaned everything inside and out, lubricated all dials/switches, but needed to downsize lucky for me. He said best not to re-cap or modify anything unless it needs it, and this one is Mint off the richter scale. It is sitting in my car now, till I get home from work... But I cannot wait to hear it and see it after all your great comments... I'm sure I won't regret this.
ReplyDeleteI bought the sta 2080 brand new in 1981 with a pair of optimus t-300's .What a great sound! Anyway still have them and I'm re-foaming the woofers and passive radiators. I can't wait too hear them again
ReplyDeleteBought my first one in early eighties. Did not realize what I had until I tried to replace it in 2011. Auditioned dozens of receivers. Unfortunately very few had +/-10db tone adjustment range. Gave up and purchased another STA 2080 on line and repaired the original (the output dc offset adjustment pot had shorted frying output transistors, replaced with 2W sealed unit). Replaced the main power cord with a 12AWG brute and speaker terminals with banana jacks. Modified the meter and tuner lighting board with full wave rectifier and large cap, pulled the meter and tuner lighting & replaced with mixed blue & red high power LED's. The lens on the tuner glass (just pull the fuse bulb holders in the cavity and glue or tape 2 or 3 flat high power LED's on the lens) makes much purer lighting than Macintosh or Marantz could achieve with incandescents in the 70's
ReplyDeleteI have my STA 2080 since 1981 when I bought it new from Tandy. It was running reasonably warm for a while and I added a cooling fan. A couple of weeks ago it blew the mains fuse (3.15 Amps) Today I fitted a replacement fuse and it developed an fatal output driver fault and blew two of the driver transistors. I did capture it on video as I was expecting a smoke cloud. Disassembling the Amp driver was easy as it is build in modular form. Biggest problem is finding the NEC driver transistors which don't seem to exist anymore. Any equivalent types available. Will upload my disaster on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI have a Realistic STA 2080 that is looking for a new home. Does anyone know someone who would like to purchase it?
ReplyDeleteI am interested in your 2080.
ReplyDeleteTsd71@yahoo.com
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ReplyDeleteI absolutely love my sta 2080 and it needs complete overhaul but in meantime I have a small fan that blows silently and calms the beast so to say. Rock on!
ReplyDeleteLove my new 2080, but while it’s immaculate inside and out, it seems significantly underpowered compared to my 2000?
ReplyDeleteIt would be under powered as the 2000 has a much higher wattage rating
DeleteI have an Sta95 for sale if anyone is looking
ReplyDeleteHey! Yes a real nice receiver for sure. A friend of mine just moved to Florida and left his Realistic sta 2080 in the attic for me--plus and ironing board that I need lol. The receiver needed to be cleaned up but is working and sounds nice. He gave me his Mark ones that came with that receiver quite a few years ago but he didn't know where he put the receiver until he decided to move. Ow I have the receiver!
ReplyDelete