bad electronics day

[82rude]

well what a lousy day for electronic toys.first my probably out of warranty 1978 realistic sta 2100 receiver decides to blow all the lamps .next im watching tv and doesn't the stupid led tv (55 inch Samsung ) develop a line on the screen about 10 inches from the edge and all the way from top to bottom.at least the tv was free (won in a draw) so maybe I will swallow the repair cost as its out of warranty as long as its not too pricey.the 2100 is the model with the massive transformer that foster got in trouble with pioneer over(patent ).am using a new Yamaha receiver right now just in case something else is wrong and until I can find somebody trustworthy to work on the beast.these new recievers today just aren't the same as the old muscle guys of the late 70 ,s and early 80,s.junk in my opinion.though I have to admit the yammy is holding up good even though its not rated to handle my studio monitors which are 4 ohms.the old receiver has a massive punch and lots of character compared to the newer stuff.now im starting to have flashbacks to the early 80,s when I got cheap and turned down the technics sa 1000 monster receiver.one just sold for 7000 .had the next one down till some idiot fried it with a bottle of beer at a house party way back when.now im starting to babble and am getting all nostalgic,lol.better stop now or im going to start crying over spilt beer etc.lol.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: bad electronics day

Did you have any thunder storms around? Unusual to have two different electronic devices to blow at the same time. Unless you spilled salt or broke a mirror. You are absolutely right, new stuff doesn't hold a candle to the robustness of the old.

 

[82rude]

Re: bad electronics day

no storms .the stereo was 99 percent self induced I believe ,I was checking out a blow lamp and must of caused a short.stupid me .got a couple of quick pics .you can see the difference in size .the old girl will not even fit in the stereo stand so I have to put her on top.

 

[rbh]

Re: bad electronics day

The old realistic brand, radio shack did have its moments, but then so did lloydes and candle.

Who else made components back in the 70s/80s and are gone now?

 

[gm280]

Re: bad electronics day

I still have an old Heathkit AR1500 stereo received that I built many years ago. It had monstrous power and quite heavy too because of the huge transformer to get that wattage and beefy sound. I haven't heard anything since then to compare either. I also still have the Acoustic Research AR3 speakers as well and still using them too. Totally amazing sound from them still...

 

[82rude]

Re: bad electronics day

actually by the late 70,s standards the aa-1500 was a low power unit but quite adequate for the early seventies.60 wpc rms.its too bad they weren't in business today for that kind of stuff.funny how things seem to coincide some times.it was just last week I walked by a local elect supply joint and in the window was 2 heathkit aa 151,s!!!needless to say I inquired if they were for sale but unfortunately no joy.i mean come on! he had 2, sell one ,you cant take them with you!rbh as for your question there are just too many makers of components that went by the wayside to list.sign of the times I quess.gm280 was it hard to build the unit?lucky you.

 

[gm280]

Re: bad electronics day

Actually 82rude, the Heathkits were very easy to build as most all their kits were. What I really like was the fact that they included the theory of operation and a comprehensive troubleshooting guide for every kit they made. And I love electronics and therefore I built a ton of Heathkits in my days. The AR1500 stereo receiver/amp was only rated at 60watts per channel RMS, but was tested at 120 watts without any additional percentage of distortion at an in-depended labatory. I can't remember the company that tested it, but that company was a huge Audio file type firm that did such tests on nearly every type amp at the time. They gave the Heathkit AR1500 rave reviews for sound quality and such. I still have that near 60lb receiver yet too... I honestly haven't hear anything since that provided the solid bass response that amp did/does. And the front end had an amazing amount of head room as well. I also presently have three Heathkit guitar amps in various staged of refurbishment. From their smaller single 12" speaker version to their top amp/speaker comb setup. I am refurbish them just because I like Heathkits.

 

[82rude]

Re: bad electronics day

sounds like cool stuff gm280.i think my next purchase is going to be a tube amp.be it vintage or one of the new Chinese ones.preference given to an integrated amp.i would have to switch over to my cerwin vegas though as my babys are too power hungry.axiom ax.5 reference monitors.4 ohm speakers rated for I believe it is 40 to 400 wpc rms.the best is the company is still in business and I have a written lifetime warranty which ive taken advantage of already with zero questions asked.you should post some pics of the heathkit stuff.

 

[82rude]

Re: bad electronics day

well I might just have to do a hasty retreat on the new is junk theory.just bought a cheap receiver to hold me over till I figure out if I want to fix the old stuff .bought a pyle 300 watt am/fm receiver.as im running 4 ohms the manual says its 300 x 2 which translated is approx. 300 x .6 which is 180 wpc . even if they are lying totally ive never heard my speakers louder or clearer considering this is a cheap receiver.there has to be considerable power there as the axioms like lots of juice and the volume im getting is definitely in the getting arrested league.kinda funny looking at the back of the unit.it says, engineered in japan,designed in u.s.a. and has a sticker that says made in china.talk about international.