Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Optimus (Radio Shack) STA-300 from 1991, 15WPC
OK. Here’s another small form factor receiver from the Radio Shack chain in the early 90s.
A Facebook friend brought this model to my attention in a vintage audio conversation post last night and I happen to have one on my test bench for use when working on components and speakers. And I’m usually a little rough on it.
It’s quite powerful for its size - and it does a great job matched with my Pioneer HPM-100’s. I’ve always considered something like this to be a dentists office stereo, powering FM to overhead speakers or to some small ones hung on the wall in a couple locations!
While 15 watts might not sound like a lot, this certainly fills the room and the bass/treble/loudness controls add a nice sound profile to my liking.
Has discrete transistor outputs and quite a large heat sink to keep things cool.
I have a better appreciation for this little guy and am looking to put a less desired unit back on the bench for troubleshooting use and keep this in the collection in great working condition as it is.
Enjoy Opus 1, which was used for Cisco phone hold music. I’m getting tired of being flagged for copyright.
Optimus (Radio Shack) STA-300 from 1991, 15WPC
OK. Here’s another small form factor receiver from the Radio Shack chain in the early 90s.
A Facebook friend brought this model to my attention in a vintage audio conversation post last night and I happen to have one on my test bench for use when working on components and speakers. And I’m usually a little rough on it.
It’s quite powerful for its size - and it does a great job matched with my Pioneer HPM-100’s. I’ve always considered something like this to be a dentists office stereo, powering FM to overhead speakers or to some small ones hung on the wall in a couple locations!
While 15 watts might not sound like a lot, this certainly fills the room and the bass/treble/loudness controls add a nice sound profile to my liking.
Has discrete transistor outputs and quite a large heat sink to keep things cool.
I have a better appreciation for this little guy and am looking to put a less desired unit back on the bench for troubleshooting use and keep this in the collection in great working condition as it is.
Enjoy Opus 1, which was used for Cisco phone hold music. I’m getting tired of being flagged for copyright.
