Realistic SA-102 LoFi mini-amplifier

 

General:

Around 1983 Tandy 'Radio Shack' company came with its Realistic SA-102 amplifier.

The SA-102 was apparently made in 2 versions:
the version 1 has discrete output Toshiba transistors and a output power of 2,5 Watts /channel.
Version 2 has a output power Sanyo IC and specifies less output power: 1,8 Watts /channel.

detail front

detail front

 

Owners manual:

click here to download the user manual of the SA-102

 

special futures:

Specifications:

Distortion (THD 20Hz - 20kHz) < 0.1%
at continuous output per channel: 2,5W RMS for version 1, or 1,8 W RMS for version 2.
Speaker impedance: 8~16ohms
Signal/noise ratio: 85dB power amp. section
4 x RCA input, rec. output in back, phono input switchable for magnetic and ceramic cartridge.
Very light and small footprint amp.
Size: 3.5" x 9.25" x 6 7/8" (HWD)

Version 1 has model # 31-1963.

 

Schematic:

schematics version 1: click here

schematics version 2: click here

 

 

Modifications:

You may replace some capacitors and resistors in the power supply and power rail.
This version 2 amplifier may use a Sanyo IC module LA 4440 in the power amp. section.
This version 1 amp has the same setup as in the SA-101 and can be modified to a 2x 5 Watts RMS amp,
version 2 can be updated to a 2x 4 Watts RMS amp.

interior version 1 ^

 

interior version 1 ^

 

PCB version 1 (modified) ^

Backpanel ^

example of the modification of version 2 ^

Datasheet of the Sanyo IC LA4440 click here to download or view.

 

Sound:

The sound is good.

 

© Hans Hilberink - PE1MMK ® 2003 - Last update: 30-09-2016.