I bought a vintage Realistic STA-18 receiver thinking it didn't work. Well, guess what? Not only does it work, but it looks almost like new. I can't bring myself to touch it now.
My plan was to tear all the circuit boards out and custom design new modern components using an IC preamp an ESP32 to digitize all the analog controls and replace the old 7 watt amplifier with a new GaN class D 200 watt power amp module. I was going to replace all the light bulbs with RGBW LEDs connected to a PWM output. I was going to add Bluetooth. The tuner was going to be removed so I could simulate stations or replace stations with online versions and create playlists. I was going to simulate interstation White noise and other cool stuff.
I just can't bring myself to tear apart a perfectly working and cosmetically good receiver. What now?
I bought a vintage Realistic STA-18 receiver thinking it didn't work. Well, guess what? Not only does it work, but it looks almost like new. I can't bring myself to touch it now.
My plan was to tear all the circuit boards out and custom design new modern components using an IC preamp an ESP32 to digitize all the analog controls and replace the old 7 watt amplifier with a new GaN class D 200 watt power amp module. I was going to replace all the light bulbs with RGBW LEDs connected to a PWM output. I was going to add Bluetooth. The tuner was going to be removed so I could simulate stations or replace stations with online versions and create playlists. I was going to simulate interstation White noise and other cool stuff.
I just can't bring myself to tear apart a perfectly working and cosmetically good receiver. What now?
