Realistic SA-10: Just for fun

[dakatabg]

wow 1.2 watts per channel, I have never seen or even thought that there would be an amp like that!

Looks pretty neat. 12 watts power consumption, you can run that thing 24/7 and you won't feel the electrical bill!

[rakeford]

I got another audio WOW Sunday night. I hook up the SA-10 in stereo with my Realistic Optimus-2B speakers. I used the TAPE out of my Yamaha RX-797 as a source selector into the TAPE/TUNER RCA jacks of the SA-10. I used RCA phono cables to connect the SA-10 speaker outputs (RCA jacks) to the RCA jack inputs to the two 2Bs. I put the 2Bs on opposite ends of my desk about 44 inches apart and ear high when I sit in my chair. I sat about 24 to 36 back from the speakers which were toed in about 5 to 10 degrees.

I put Santana Borboletta in the Yamaha DVD-SD2700 and sat in the prime spot described above. I couldn't move- because the system sounded fantastic, great clarity and stereo separation. On the title track, Borboletta, I could hear the singer and the percussions walk all over the room. The SA-10 was sufficiently loud at about 11 o'clock on the volume pots. The 12 o'clock position was about the maximum volume I need for most applications.

The tone control on the SA-10 increased the treble slightly at its maximum position, but I preferred the neutral “straight-up” sound. The Optimus-2Bs have a 3 position “HF COMPENSATION” switch, NORMAL-LOW-HIGH. In stark contrast to the SA-10 tone control, I seemed to like the enhanced high frequencies of the “HIGH” position. I should diddle with the TONE and HF COMPENSATION controls some more to find my sweet spot.

For a buck & 6 cents, I’m quite happy with the SA-10. It’s a tiny little amp that really sings in the right application. It’s nice to see that my Realistic Optimus-2B speakers, which I bought new circa 1974, still have some life in them. I might look into recapping the 2Bs. Someday, I gotta get some DeoxIT to clean a boatload of pots, switches and connectors.

I think I’ll set up the SA-10/ Optimus-2B system as my desk computer sound system.