these old style phono stages sre actually quite superior to modern bretherin. they run in pure class A, modern counterparts use OP amps and sound typical of Class B overblown Bass and prominent treble! yeuk
Based on design and schematic, what would be comparable in terms of a low to medium power (30-60wpc) vintage Receiver?
That's what I was looking for. Anybody else chime in with a non-collectible receiver that would equal or surpass Realistic?
No idea, here is the service manual: Realistic SA-2000 - Manual - Stereo Integrated Amplifier - HiFi Engine
Not quite. The Shure was extremely better performance and S/N wise. As broadcast gear then was expected to be. That said the older Radio Shack cheapie MM or MI phono stages were decent Japanese made items which sounded pretty good if not great. I like how the old 1960's through mid to late 1970's discreet ones sound today, they perform very nice. I have a McMartin broadcast phono stage also, which is excellent.
This was my first ever phono preamp and I proudly combined it with a Technics SLB-210 in 1984. I still have it but my recollection of it is that it was pretty average. I have a Vincent PHO-8 that wipes the floor with it.
I run two tables off if my Sansui 2000X, and have no need to look for anything else. Maybe low-fi on here, but it produces magic through a pair of Large Advents.
Nice. Unfortunately in my area, vintage gear has skyrocketed in price. Stuff that was giving away just years ago fetches $$$. Still, I grew up with that same Sansui amp. I'll keep my eyes open.
Anybody done a comparison between Realistic unit and mid-level Kenwood KR 5400, or something comparable. Is it a quantum leap or are we splitting hairs?
I own the Kenwood KR-4400 and multiple Realistic units and to my ears the sound signature is very similar, perhaps the Kenwood have a little more hump on bass.
The Monacor Spr/6 Is similiar.there are a few under different names i recall. Basically a phono stage is 2 transistors A feedbabk loop for the RIAA and the necessary components . It is simple and works in class A. Simplicity always wins.
Hey, anybody have experience with the Lil Rat Shack battery powered 42-2111 that was all the rage years ago?
I have a similiar one . Again its similiar to Monacor. I must add thst it would be easy to copy the Radio Shack or Tandy . Phono stage so simple. Why the high. Charges i do not know. OP amps are in my opinion the worst Thing for audio The realistic does not use them obviously . Good for thought. A pp3 battery would last 3/6 months!!!
You can buy a battery holder and wire it to infeed. With an in line switch . You could obtain old preamp and strip it out and fit realistic or Monacor to it and install battery within .and use on / off switch to switch on battery.
Would the 42-2101a be a better choice than a Art DJ PRE II? Amazon.com: ART Pro Audio DJPRE II Phono Turntable Preamplifier: Musical Instruments