I think there is some confusion- we are not recomending the $10,000 cables shown in the video when i say "you DO NOT need to spend a fortune." The cables we suggested are $26 amzn.to/3Jlm4RV

@qb101

26 күн бұрын

Agreed on this point. Well made cables are not super expensive. It just needs to be well made and use good materials. It's also nice, if you have something that's visible when people in your space, to have something that looks nice enough that you don't have to go through big efforts hide them.

@thecarman3693

18 күн бұрын

Another point about cables is that used cables can be a great alternative. For a fraction of the cost of new or the current line of high end ($$$$) cables one can pick up outstanding speaker cables and interconnects. After all what can really go wrong with well made cables in very good condition? And with regard to subwoofers, I live by this rule: If you can hear your subwoofer, it's too loud. It's there to augment your speakers, not replace them.

@mannye

8 күн бұрын

Yeah... $10K cables ARE snake oil, but a good cable from Blue Jeans or Triangle or make your own using Belden. IF you do decide to make your own cables, you will see that $30 for a nice pair of phono cables is a pretty good value.

The first and second receivers I purchased in the 70's were Realistic. As a teenager in the 70's, that is what I could afford. Plus, there was a Radio Shack a block away. Realistic got me into stereo equipment. I still own the first receiver I bought, and 48 years later, it still works.

“I have friends for that.” I love it 😂

Many of these "exotic phono cables" attach so tightly that removing and re-inserting them can literally destroy the equipment jacks and housing.

@ML-bu3lz

Ай бұрын

Correct - it is getting harder and harder to find good quality cables that wont screw up your vintage hifi

@rickc661

Ай бұрын

I've done that - pulled the plugs at back of subwoofer to pieces. I'm completely happy with the quality of ' one step up ' ie original. Monster c.

@morrisonAV

Ай бұрын

The Monster Cable "turbine" style RCAs destroyed lots of RCA inputs....mine included. Gave away hundreds of dollars worth of Monster. P.S. Don't give them to people you like!

@amazoidal

28 күн бұрын

The problem is that the RCA inputs are not attached to the case but to the circuit board. Break Break.

@RUfromthe40s

23 күн бұрын

i have a friend who bought the cheapest towers from B&W and he broke the terminals to fit a huge cable, and his cheap system sounds bad ,he even destroys cars that could work for almost 20 years in 3 to 5 years as the rpm counter doesnt have red line ,so diesel engine and 4 cylinder in line engine blown or the only produced by the thousands cars that only because he bought them are more rotative than the top car model released by Ferrari

I bought my REALISTIC STA 2000 from your store 5,6 years ago , and with the Advent's from your store im completely happy with the sound quality and being retired i play music 40 hrs a week at least really enjoy your weekly videos keep up the good work Kevin

@skylabsaudio

Ай бұрын

Great to hear!

100% agree about the subwoofer. Once you hook one up and listen, you can't go back. Everything just sound thin and lifeless without. Even with my bass heavy floor speakers, the subwoofer just tit those extra deep frequencies that vibrate in your chest. Can't live without it.

@ethimself5064

Ай бұрын

I had high quality expensive speakers back in the day. ESS AMT 3b Studio Monitor Towers. The were flat down to 30 Hz and I dad cracked widows to show for it. Their bottom end contained 2 12 inch woofers/1 active and one passive. The shipping weight was 103 lbs each and they were solid a a rock. If the bass was there it would faithly reproduce it and if the bass was not there they would not bump it up. Was looking for a reconditioned pair and zero. Although their little brother is somewhat around - the 1b pyramid shaped ones. I agree that if one's speakers can only go down to about 50 or so Hz a good Sub would make good sense

@gregbenefield7658

Ай бұрын

Yep, I keep mine turned down just enough

@TriAmpHiFi

Ай бұрын

@@ethimself5064 . Excuse me, just to quibble about nothing. I think the ESS did not have two woofers. It had a 12 inch passive radiator and a 12 inch passive woofer. No active woofer. Kinda' like active subwoofer and passive subwoofer. In today's terms, a passive speaker has external amplification and an active speaker has internal amplification. Therefore no such thing as a passive woofer anymore. It's now a passive radiator. Just sayin' fir sayin'. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

@patrickguice

Ай бұрын

Really does depend on your room acoustics and the speaker as well. I have a set of infinity Kappa nines that will go down to 29 Hz. They have double 12 inch woofers in each cabinet and the cabinets are 5 feet tall. And they will certainly more than make you feel it at the right volume lol. Nothing wrong with having a subwoofer and in most cases you will get better results.

@user-mz6lt2pr9s

Ай бұрын

Agree. I Had the same experience with my towers with 3 eight inch woofers each. Added one sub. It was better. Added a second sub and it was better still. Like you, I can’t unhear it and I’m hooked for life. Good for you having an open mind. You let your ears and experiences lead to your conclusions which can change over time. I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken.

That was an excellent assessment of Realistic.

Absolutely agree with everything you said in this video. I’m a “HiFi Hoarder” I have a large collection of high quality vintage components going back to the 1970’s, but I also own a surround sound system that was state of the art in the mid 2000’s. These days I’ve been acquiring all sorts of Chinese made separates (DAC’s, Monoblocks, etc.) The Audiophile hobby is full of snobbery and unsubstantiated opinion, I feel like “Audiophiles” would be more appropriately be named “Audio Connoisseurs.” The point is, I’ve enjoyed acquiring, setting up and listening to every imaginable type of audio gear for more than 50 years. Everything from cheap Radio Shack to professional studio digital recording equipment. I throughly enjoy your channel, and hope to visit the Skylab Store in person eventually. Keep up the good work!

@raygarafano3633

29 күн бұрын

I'm wrkg on it, 9 rcvrs, 4 pr spkrs 4 Eqs 1 Tt...a wicked great hobby. . .

@Pol-Chinc

27 күн бұрын

hi my name is David and I'm also a "hifi hoarder".

A lot of good stuff in there. I'm a older guy and back in high school i spent more money on audio than my friends spent on cars. My senior high school year i had almost $2000 tied up in audio equipment and I built my own speaker systems. I was going to do it for a career but life got in the way. I got my first subwoofer for my computer around 1997. I spent a good chunk of change on it and ever since then I've been a fan of them. Back then I had the neighbor call the cops on me for listening to my computer too loudly. It was when mp3 first got popular and I was testing them out. I'm now a subscriber and I hope you reach your goal.

Glad you mentioned realistic. I recently set up a vintage realistic system for very little money and it sounds great!

@JukeboxAlley

Ай бұрын

The sta-2000 and 2300 are VERY good.

I have A LOT of vintage stereo. My Realistic SA-1001/TM-1001 come as close to anything anyone may claim to be 'high end'! Flawless performance with a cool retro look. Cheap too!

Quality cable yes! Good contact, good shielding, no signal alteration. But no need for ultra high end anaconda thick silver with a built in filter nonsense. Sansui mid 80's mass-fi went to crap. I was never impressed by kenwood, except in relative terms of 70's receivers. 80's kenwood was disposable junk. I've heard poor, mediocre and great versions of analog and digital. There is no general statement to be made. There is a misconception that subs ADD bass where it's not supposed to be. A properly set subwoofer does NOTHING unless low frequency content is there. It's meant to augment the missing or weak bottom end, not ADD to the midbass. A modern table like Rega p3, U-turn, Pro-ject debut will be a WHOLE LOT less of a headache.

Thanks for taking the time to create insightful, honest, and concise weekly videos!!

@skylabsaudio

Ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

I'm an certified electronic technician and in the hobby since the lates 80s, and I always learn something with your videos. I appreciate your calm demeanor and the fact that you always respect each others tastes. BTW, I have very, very early sansui equipment, SM-32, from 1962, and their tube gear is really good. They started as a transformer company, so it make sense. It would be interesting to have an historic of each major brand. That would make a good serie.

Wish you shipped vintage gear, I saw a couple marantz turntables, something I had 45 years ago, I would love to buy. I’m a marantz guy but I do appreciate Sansui. My Buddy had an integrated amp and tuner with outstanding record quality on his tape players. A noticeable difference from mine. Enjoy your videos very much.

Back over 45 years ago I was the Service and Parts manager for a large commercial, industrial, professional, and retail company in BC Canada where we sold and serviced only quality high end equipment in the retail field like Macintosh, Nakamichi, Boston Acoustics, NAD, Teac, and many others. Recently I hauled my Akai AA-2020 out of the garage with a handful of the 1000 vinyl albums that make my collection, to listen on a my Technics SL-1200 mk ii with a Ruby cartridge, through a pair of Mission M72 bookshelf speakers. Good professional wiring is a must. I now experience daily pleasing stereo reproduction. My ears thank me. I actually hear a depth to the stereo separation that provides a 3dness I cannot explain. I don’t have seven channels or even five, and I no longer need my Yamaha powered subwoofer. Everything sounds magical. Yay for hearing my music back in analog. I forgot how it supposed to sound.

@raygarafano3633

27 күн бұрын

When God starts to create ppl with 5 or more ears,surround sound might cut the musical mustard, till then it's stereo 2 channel.

I'm rocking a Realistic 2080 that I bought from Sally Anne some years back for $25. Pots were filthy but once cleaned up it sounded great. The thing has balls! It has a ton of power, weighs a ton as well.

@johnnytacokleinschmidt515

Ай бұрын

One of the best and a big favorite of rat shack officianados.

I always wanted a Realistic receiver back in the 70s. I recently found one sitting next to a dumpster. It's a STA-2600, and after a good cleaning, worked like new. At 100 wts/channel, no reason to crank it up more than 1/3 the way. Great sound and great tuner.

Great topic & great video, Kevin. You covered all the bases well.

I've got a realistic sta-2100d stereo and I love it. its paired with a lab-420 turntable and mach 1 speakers. but i'm a bit of a radio shack nut 😄

Realistic thing - I knew a guy that had the last franchise in Canada and just for the heck of it, almost on a a bet he lent me a 10 Watt receiver about 81 to see if it would drive my ESS AMT 3b Tower Monitors to my likening = Hard and deep base. It literally shocked me as it literally performed like my 130 Watt Toshiba receiver as mentioned. It must have has a great deal of amperage going for it. The only thing that I did was to keep it at stupid high levels as not to crack more windows as I had done with the Toshiba. That little thing just rocked. And ya before that up north we would mock one dude that had Radio Shack equipment

@SurnaturalM

Ай бұрын

Where that was? The last franchise? It's a store that I surely miss. It was easy to go there and get parts for an electronic project. There were no Mouser or digi-key back then. I discovered I like electronic because of the games they sold in which you could build small electronic circuits. It was nice.

@ethimself5064

Ай бұрын

@@SurnaturalM Salmon Arm, BC Canada. He sold about 90 and it ended up as a franchise.

I want to add to your comment on subwoofers. Over the years, being poor and unable to buy higher quality floor or bookshelf speakers, I relied on a subwoofer to help my cheap speakers bloom. When I finally reached a financial level where buying properly high end speakers didn't seem frivolous, I found that my sub was needed less, but still brought something to the table. I found that lowering the filter to below 50hz and reducing the volume, it really enhances the subtle low frequency sound. It makes high end book shelf speakers sound huge and wonderful. A must have in my opinion.

It’s nice to be able to admit when you have surmised something to be correct and then find out that it’s not! I myself have fallen victim to this, but I can tell you that on my vintage gear. I finally spent some money on some great speaker cables and the company that I chose was called transparent audio out of Maine! They sent me a pair of $250 wires, but the connects weren’t the same for my vintage Klipsch Cornwalls so I had to send them back to them, showing them the receiver I was using them on as well as the connect on the back of the Cornwalls! They custom made a pair for me and sent them back and wow, what a difference!

Your comments on vintage stereo equipment have made me want to get my Luxman amp/tuner finally fixed. I have other amps but I would like to hear this one again. Thanks for the push. Great channel!

I learn something great from you in every video. I love your honesty.

This is why we love your channel and you! So honest! Your Sansui AU-20000 is one of the greatest amplifiers ever made!

I was in Bergen in Norway, just mooching about in the old town when I happened upon an audio store/ workshop. The owner was generous with his time and showed me around and invited me to listen to some speaker cables he’d developed and shown off at a Berlin audio fair. They were liquid cables he explained and a pair of 10 foot lengths would cost me about $8000, moreover, when he tested them despite having wonderful turntables, he streamed the music from a digital source: sounded brilliant, and I guess supports what you’re saying. And, having three Sansuis, a Harmon Kardon Citation and a Marantz currently set up - with a Pioneer shelved in the basement, I guess I entirely agree with your observations about vintage receivers too. Cheers.

Nice job Kevin on explaining some of your thoughts and how over time your opinion has changed. Very good hearing the reasoning as well. Thanks also for the cabling suggestions.

Excellent points, as usual, Kevin, I really enjoyed this episode, keep on rockin’ 😊

I recently added an NHT Sub 1 from the early 90's. Had the guys at NHT rework the amp and controller. It's been an amazing addition. I have Vandersteen Model 3's and they have great bass, but it's so very helpful to be able to place the sub in a more idea spot and not have to push the Vandy's so hard to get some low end. And orchestra on vinyl? Holy cow; it's amazing.

I started with 4 polk s55 signature series monitors and had a lot of base but after purchasing a Polk PSW 10 sub and also realized how much better the lows sounded ..thanks for your time Kevin as always a another great video

That was one of the best level headed videos ive seen. You've made me rethink the whole subwoofer subject. Poor Kenwood, lol. You have a awesome channel.

Excellent, straight-ahead info (as usual)…and definitely fun!

I own a mint Realistic Lab 400 Turntable. Heavy and very well made !!!!

Bought a 1971 Kenwood kr 6160. Works fantastic. The hidden surprise was the mono rca jack used for karaoke speaker output. But I use it to support a subwoofer output. Go figure. Beautiful model and nice looking too.

I remember the Yugo that blew over the rail on the Mackinac bridge in Michigan. Talking about a letdown😊.

We are so aligned on vintage and new equipment opinions it’s scary. I managed a stereo shop between 1975 and 1980. THE golden years in my humble opinion. You are spot on when it comes to turntables. One of the greatest things about a turntable is the visual and physical connection to the whole experience of analog. I always enjoyed tweaking and fussing over the setup of a turntable. I’ve owned a Dual 1219, Dual 1229, H/K ST-7, Luxman PD-277, Rega P6 and my current Rega P8. The P8 is the best I’ve owned and definitely my last. I love watching your videos because it takes me back to some very special times. Keep it up buddy!

My new Sunday morning routine! Thanks again. I’ve got a sub sitting on a shelf that I’ll have to hook up to my vintage McIntosh system and stacked Advents. Gonna give it a listen.

Kevin, I must admit that my heart sank a little when you brought up Sansui. I still have my 1977 AU-517 amp and TU-717 tuner. Both look and sound as good today as the day I bought them when I was in college. No scratches and they also have the mounting rack brackets. They don't really get much use these days as my stereo needs have changed over the years. In my previous home I had a dedicated home theater room set up consisting of an Integra amp and DVD player, 4 Boston Acoustic speakers and an M&K subwoofer. Loved it. Have since downsized and now pretty much listen to anything I tell Alexa to play. Sacrilegious I know. My audiophile desires haven't changed but my priorities have (my special needs children). Love your channel.

Great honesty and advice from many years of experience. Turntable advice makes perfect sense .

Holy cow. You nailed every single point. And I agree with you on every one even down to the nuances. I discovered them all quite a while ago except for the vinyl vs digital since digital wasn't around back then. And sober is were pretty rare back then as well. But I sold high five back in the 70s and early 80s and this is some stuff that I believed even back then. The first truly incredible system I heard by the way, was it a stereo store in burien Washington where I heard the song Frankenstein amplified buffets linear 700 through a pair of cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers about the size of JBL L100's coupled with a coffee table sized downward firing subwoofer. It was all an oiled White oak. It was quite loud and the band was in the room I want to get those low synth sounds as well as the kick drum it was just awe inspiring. This was around 1975. I remember it like it was yesterday. That's why I ended up with a 500 watt per channel bi-amplified system driving ESS amt 1B monitor speakers. Here now I'm running three pairs of small garage sale bookshelf speakers, the coupled with a decent subwoofer. Only one pair has its original drivers, though

I added a small under-seat powered subwoofer to the stereo in my truck back in 2017, and I am amazed by how much better my music and radio sounds. After watching your recent "how to hook up a subwoofer' video, I added a compact 10" sub to my vintage Marantz / JBL system. My music of choice sounds great, but I'm not sure I have the sub dialed in correctly just yet.

Agree 100%. Realistic offered some good stuff.

@raygarafano3633

29 күн бұрын

Some of Radio shack was better than SounDesign, I was surprised that Tech HiFi had a SounDesign all in 1 job.

Great video man thanks for sharing

I'm 100% a fan of both analog AND digital. At home I prefer to listen to vinyl, but I'm on the road for work everyday and there's nothing better than having high quality FLAC files loaded onto a phone that has a great built-in DAC!

Great video, as always, Kevin. Harrumph to the point about quality cables!

"Things I Had Completely Wrong !" -- Very glad you qualified that. Subwoofers -- In my Sport-Trac, with a factory subwoofer, when you turn the engine off, the radio still plays but without the sub. Music is still "there", but you do notice the difference. Enjoyable installment as always. Headphones arrived, but had to snag an 1/8" adapter for my tablet and laptop. Enjoyed the personal note as well.

I bought Monster Cable patches years ago and still use them in my system to this day.

Definitely gonna be a fun one

The first subwoofer I had was an Optimus 10" passive unit that I bought at Radio Shack that I hooked up to my Minimus (I think 7) speakers and a ninety's Kenwood Receiver that was heavily discounted. I was really happy with it for a few years.

An honest and well reasoned video.

always liked your style and honesty. more so now appreciating your humble evolution.

@skylabsaudio

27 күн бұрын

I appreciate that!

Hi Kevin thanks again for finding that cable problem. It was driving me crazy and now my system sounds awesome. It was well worth the trip and I do agree on your cable thoughts. You guys are the best!!!

@skylabsaudio

29 күн бұрын

Great to hear!

Love all of these! I want to pair a subwoofer with my Polk RTA-12Bs so bad! Excited to have something new to try!

I have always loved Realistic. My firs and second stereo were Realistic. First a SA1001 and then STA2700. I never stopped using it. I just love the sound. It has so far been going 37 years. Loved it so much, I bought a second one. Also, have DADS Pioneer SX-626

I have a current era Marantz Cinema 50 in 7.3.4 format (2 front subs, 1 rear). Dolby Atmos. My preferred format is DSD/SACD. Signing up for Tidal. I am in the midst of setting up Amazon Music Ultra High Definition streaming subscription. My vintage system includes a Marantz model 140 amp with a model 3200 preamp and Klipsch SB3 speakers (not exactly vintage lol). Using a mediocre Yamaha P-530 turntable and an inexpensive Sony CD player. I really enjoy having the vintage system in the same Soundstage as the modern one. Some vintage Wharfdale 12" floor speakers on the way... Cheers and thanks for contributing so much to our relatively small community. I've been an audio nut since I was 5 or 6. 66 now. Still an addict!

I use the same cables and interconnects that C-NET uses to test various stereo/home audio equipment. Amazon basics. I used Monster Cables for a while, and they went bad to include both subwoofer Monster cables. They were introducing various noises into the subwoofers.

Great video as always

Kevin, absolutely agree with your suggestions very useful information. LOL. I was the hate subwoofer guy until I heard a friends system. Very happy owner of a REL sub. And my wife was exactly the same!

I have vintage Kenwood 700m amp and 700c preamp. Still sounding great. Did have a major service on both……but they sound great through my Luxman PD 272 table and Blusound NodeX. Way fun and I use them in my office. Interestingly I had some Nordost cables left over from other systems and plugged them in. Whoa….more dynamic and better resolution for sure. Thanks for these great reviews and discussions……I do appreciate your confessions from time to time. lol. Keep em coming.

You are so correct about subs! I’ve listened to LedZep for decades and thought I knew the music very well, but I’d been missing those lower frequencies my whole life!…what a great difference it made.

LOL, I apply the exact same audio test with my wife as well! Works every time 🤘🏽

Thanks for showing my Thorens TD-160 ... which I love ! 🎵❤

"Yugo, gets you from point A to point B" and then blows off the Mackinaw Bridge 🤣🤣🤣

@skylabsaudio

Ай бұрын

lol

@Mark_Kelsey

Ай бұрын

Q. Why did Yugos have rear window defrosters? A. To keep your hands warm while you pushed them

Thanks, I really enjoyed this!

Another great video! Regarding Realistic, my father worked at Allied Radio in Chicago in the 1960’s. They made hifi stereo receivers and radio kits. They were bought out by Tandy Corp. circa 1970. Allied was a highly regarded company, their store on Washington and Western carried other brands of hifi equipment. They also had listening booths.

@ripjones5294

Ай бұрын

Allied. That sure brings up fond memories. I always was excited when my Allied Electronics catalog would show up. I remember buying all of my parts from Allied, for my electronics projects for 4-H. A couple of years ago -- I'm almost 70 now. And t there was Heathkit. Still own a bunch of my Heathkit stuff, up to and including my 25" Color TV, somewhere in my garage. What we grew up with, we are now buying again, and calling it "Vintage".....

@3henry214

26 күн бұрын

@@ripjones5294 Fond memories... I'm 70, and used to drool through the Allied Radio, Heathkit and Lafayette catalogs when I was a teen... like what the Spiegel or Sears Christmas toy catalogs were for kids. I also have a couple of the Heathkit's I assembled... a tube tester, and an engine "analyzer" Oscilloscope.

Right On! I have an Allied receiver (made by Pioneer). I know this because of the various Pioneer part # parts and exact schematic match and layout of a Pioneer model. I've had a sub for years you are so right. At the moment I am working on a Technics SA 5760 I am blown away by the size of the pwr xformer for this 165 watt unit. Seems every bit comparable to Marantz, Pioneer and others. Excluding Mac that's another level. Great video! I will take a look at the rail voltage at full power when I'm finished to see if it delivers.

All good points. The biggest one I agree with is the subwoofer. My whole life I felt like it was unnecessary and that my tower speakers were doing the job just fine. One day I was at a pawn shop, and I saw an expensive sub for only $125. Coincidentally I had $125 to spend. I decided what the hell, and picked it up. I figured at the very least if I did t like it on my stereo, it was better than the one that I had on my entertainment center for movies and I could just put it there. But that never happened, and I was blown away how much better music that I had been listening to for 40+ years sounded. It was like listening to those albums for the first time to me. Now I can’t see a setup without one.

That was a good honest informative video thank you

Found a Realistic soundbox at a church fair. Cleaned it up and it lights up when my speakers are bumping. Loved the 70s. Realistic memories. By the way, what’s wrong with being a bass head? 😊

Nice job. I'm going to have to see about connecting my Boston Acoustics subwoofer first and I will go back and watch your video since I only have the line in input

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

@skylabsaudio

25 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Awesome Testimonial!

Ive got a realistic sta 95 and sta 240 both are fantastic!

Solid and reasonable advice!

Hey sir, as always great great video I share your sentiments about the subwoofer people many times not the subwoofer is how it’s implemented and dialed in, when I found a pair of speakers a mentor of mine was looking for I basically forced him to try a spare sub and the way I applied it in His system it spared him from over driving those speakers one day, and bass was solid and clean the feeling of victory when his mouth dropped was priceless . He got rid of all those damn multiple junk speakers that shall remain nameless 😁. Anyhow I also agree the cables not so much. They make this big improvement but there was a situation we fixed a technics SL 1300 mark two. The better set of cables had less issues with hum and buzz. I also share your sentiments having helped my friend work on various Sansui receivers they have been some monsters and had some very tricky that were hard to figure out initially! Concerning realistic equipment, here is a really good model to consider if you can find it is the STA 220 made in the early 1970s, according to text online, it appears to have been manufacture by Hitachi only for that particular year or models, but it was highly regarded Stereo receiver. Anyhow, thanks again for the excellent video I very much enjoyed

I've been told by every vintage audio repair shop that Sansui is the most difficult to repair. Top line Realistic were fantastic receivers.

Look no further than Blue Jeans cables. Good prices, very good quality. I believe they are now selling on Amazon.

Good job Kevin. You’ve talked subs with me before when I had my 901s hooked up. Now I have large Advents and never thought about a sub. Maybe I should. Thanks again.

@johnnytacokleinschmidt515

Ай бұрын

Go for it! Take the first three octaves out of the mains.

I'm an engineer now but when I was a teenager I worked for the local Radio Shack. I LOVED some of that gear and still do. Minimus 7s? I was also friends with the son of the owner of the electronic repair shop all the audio shops in town went to for their repairs. The trick I learned back then that I continue to use for companies like Monoprice is by looking at the safety certification numbers on the unit. In most cases that number will be the same for the "off brand" model as it is for the "big name" version. There is a database online you can access in the US and in Canada and check the number. It will show you the devices that are certified as safe under that number from the other companies selling it. Used to be easy to buy what sold as high end audio on the super cheap by getting the Realistic or Optimus (not Prime) versions. Marantz, Pioneer, Sanyo and Kenwood were all manufacturers that were sold as Realistic. Love these kinds of videos with the actual work side of the gear finally being shown to folks. Thanks Kevin.

@LakeNipissing

Ай бұрын

Some like the STA-2080, STA-2000, STA-2100 were excellent receivers. Likely built by Foster Electronics. Their Minimus 7 and Mach One speakers have a following too. I have a few Realistic SPA-100 power amplifiers that are robust with the entire sides being external heat sinks for the output transistors. SPA-100 is a kind of unusual amplifier with only a single (stereo) input source, but with dual 7 band equalizers and volume / balance controls. Don't believe SPA-100 was sold by Radio Shack in the US.

@recalcitrantone

Ай бұрын

Do you know if Luxman made the Realistic SA 1500?

@TheShackGuy

15 күн бұрын

The SA-1500 was made by Tandy Electronics.

@TheShackGuy

15 күн бұрын

Marantz and Pioneer made no Realistic audio.

@TheShackGuy

15 күн бұрын

All the super power receivers (STA-2000, 2000D, 2100, 2100D, 2300, 2080, 2290) were made by Tandy Electronics.

I've changed my mind on 8-track tapes as well...my old Kraco hooked up to Magicos is pure bliss

@lcee6592

Ай бұрын

Don't forget the matchbook wedge to get the wow & flutter tamed down! Lol the good ol days!

Thanks bro for the info

Totally agree with everything you said I always went with heavy duty gold plated RCA cables they worked really well for me speaker wire 14 2 all copper again no issues so your right I have used the cheap stuff and sound quality suffered, GO ANALOG ABSOLUTELY!!! As usual awesome video!!!🎉

Yeah, Radio Shack. Realistic really was for the consumer who just wanted to go buy something that made sound without having to go down the hifi "rabbit hole." And thats perfectly okay. Sometimes Radio Shack did get it right. Sometimes they knocked out a good quaity component which was a suprise. However the context of surprise sums up the hifi ecosystem of Radio Shack. It was an environment of low to midland hifi that occassionally contained a quality speaker, turntable or receiver. But on the average it didn't. A Realistic/Optomus equalizer I once had got tossed way before its time because it stopped working. Thanks for the video. I always enjoy tuning you in and hearing your opinion. Keep up the good work!

Good video. I bought a lot of stuff from "Trash Shack" when it was alive and appreciated it for being almost everywhere (Maybe why it isn't anywhere today?) and having the bits and pieces for audio and video accessories and common parts. Although I never bought Realistic branded equipment, I did buy a couple pairs of Optimus bookshelf speakers from them that were not hateful.

Buying a REL Storm Sub and tuning it to my room/system was the biggest single improvement my Hi Fi/AV system has ever had. By a country mile. 'All' its doing is filling in the missing octave my floor standers can't do - eg below 35Hz, but what a night and day difference it makes!

Thxs Kevin some good info.....

Today, I connected a Boston Acoustics sub to the secondary speaker connects on my vintage Marantz. Just using speaker wires. Has some boomy bass thanks to the non-isolated feet on a suspended wood floor. No crossover adjustment or isolators on the feet just yet.

Ok, ok… I guess it’s time to upgrade my speaker cables from good old zip-cord to something better. Keep up the good work Kevin & crew!

A friend of mine was over to listen to my Celestion Ditton 551s, and he kept asking me to turn the sub off and later back on again, and kept commenting about how low the volume of the subwoofer was relative to what a big difference it made in how the room loaded bass. I have also come around to thinking that a sub is the best room treatment you can get.

Kevin - You definitely made me laugh with this one. Your candor is hilarious. Some times we just simply take this "fun" hobby too seriously. I knew when you reviewed the Wiim something was up. Keep it going baby.......

So funny. Just yesterday I was ready to take one of my pieces in for repair, but decided to flip some wires around. It was a bad RCA cable. So glad I checked, and yes, they do matter.

I just put together a vintage system. Due to lack of space, I got Infinity bookshelf speakers which sound amazing on their own. I hooked up a small subwoofer to it and it completely changed the listening experience! Do not rule out a subwoofer!!!

I definitely had a momentary panic attack at 2:34 when the hum started, rofl!!!

I've been happy with my Optimus bookshelf speakers and Polk Audio subwoofer for many years!

I’m enjoying the digital vu meter in the background. Apparently connected to your mic.

I bought my Spec 1 and 2 on ebay. Though they were the C-77 and M-77. Had the electronics made to Canadian standards. Paid about $2300 Cdn for both. All together paid $3200 Canadian with getting both fixed. Was very happy with them. Will not sell personally

Everyone changes their minds once they learn from experience or education, if they don't then they are beyond stubborn. Concerning subs, I will make a confession here, at one point I was able to purchase a slightly used Pioneer Spec 1/2 with TX 9500 tuner, reel to reel, Technics turntable & cassette deck for $800 from my army buddy, and it came with Bose 901's. It didn't take long and I realized I simply couldn't listen to it very long w/o a subwoofer. So I got a nice Cerwin Vega, such an improvement. Great video, thanks for your honesty.

I’ve definitely had problems with RCA cables. Always best to check any funny connection with a different cable before moving on to consider other problems.

I have both vintage turntables like a Marantz 6300 and a couple Technics turntables as well as a new Rega P6. All work great but with respect to the vintage ones, I have done some work on all of them. Stuff like having to clean and or replace controls as well as replacing the cables. And replacing the cables requires you to solder the end at the turntable on to a small circuit board. In general I find that vintage turntables all seem to need some servicing in order to get them to perform like new again.