Realistic - SA-10 Solid state amplifier

The Realistic SA-10 Amplifier is a solid-state stereo amplifier, compact in size, marketed by RadioShack under the 'Realistic' brand.

It was designed as an amplifier for hi-fi beginners, offering only the circuit necessary to amplify small signals for bookshelf or desktop speakers. Despite its modest power (1 watt per channel), it won over a group of followers and vintage hi-fi enthusiasts, for its quirky simplicity and portability.

In fact, the sound of this little Realistic is engaging and cozy, as well as full and deep, allowing hours and hours of comfortable, non-fatiguing listening.

It isn’t the cheap, flimsy plastic look that the photos suggest. When we handle the plastic case, we notice there is a metal chassis, that the switches have a firm and precise action, and that the volume and tone controls use high-quality potentiometers, which remain noise-free even after more than 40 years.

Playing the sound through one- or two-way speakers, it reaches a reasonably high volume, filling the room—not only in terms of loudness, but also in how well it fills the sound field.

Especially appreciated in the North American market, it survived the boom of late-70s sound systems, followed by MIDI systems and the establishment of the CD format. This set of characteristics kept this innovative and unique device in production from 1975 to 1984, having undergone various evolutions and proving the usefulness and appeal of the small amplifier concept. Undoubtedly, it remained relevant for a long time!


Technical features


Output power: 0.9 watts per channel at 8Ω (stereo)

Frequency response: 60 Hz to 20 kHz

Total harmonic distortion: 2.5%

Input sensitivity: 150 mV (line)

Load impedance: 8Ω to 16Ω

Semiconductors: 10 × transistors,; 4 × diodes

Inputs: turntable and line

Dimensions: 200 x 140 x 85 (width x length x height)

Weight: 1 Kg


Will Realistic in 1975 have taken the first step toward the creation of today’s Class D amplifiers?...