Realistic STA-2250 Receiver randomly dropping audio

[EXPGain]

Hello Audioholics! First post here, starting off with a question.
I've received this Realistic STA-2250 from my gramps, and it seemed to work just fine at the start. But...after a while it started to drop the audio at completely random moments. I've not touched any cables or anything since I plugged it into my television, so I am not certain if anything there might be the issue. It's connected with RCA cables to the headphone port on my tv and the AUX ports on the receiver. Does anyone know of any known defects for this model receiver or anything which might help me solve the problem? Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[KenM10759]

I don't know enough about the voltages from various types of input/output ports, but I've never tried to use a headphone output on a TV to send into a receiver's analog RCA inputs. I have to wonder if there's incompatibility issues with the resistance and voltage of that setup.

Are there no regular (analog) outputs on your TV? Which make & model is it?

 

[markw]

Does it do the same thing with FM radio?

FYI, that thing is about 35 years old but it is still a contender.

 

[EXPGain]

Yes, it does do the same with the FM radio. I've been trying to find the issue using different inputs and it looks like a problem on the receivers end. Also had headphones plugged in and the audio drops when listening from those as well.

 

[markw]

One thing you might want to try is pushing the "tape monitor" buttons in and out a few times. sometimes these get finicky.

 

[EXPGain]

I'll try flipping all the switches and rotating the volume knob a bunch of times if you suggest that might work. Unfortunately there is no easy way to check if the issue has been solved quickly. I imagine if the issue stays away for an entire day listening to radio it should be good.

 

[markw]

Do the speaker selectors too. Make sure it's powered down when doing this.

 

[EXPGain]

It happened again, but the oddity is that it happened a few times in a row and then stays absent again.

Edit: I believe the system might just be failing. The audio cut out for at least a full two minutes. Plugged in headphones also had no audio.

 

[markw]

OK, I'm all out of ideas her for something simple. Before dropping big $$ on it, keep in mind that it might be cheaper to replace it. But, if it's got sentimental value, then I could understand. That, plus it's a pretty nice receiver, by any standard.

If you're handy and could get inside of it, you might want to try to spray those switches, and any rotatable controls with "deoxit"

http://www.parts-express.com/caig-deoxit-d5s-6-spray-5-oz--341-200?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

If you choose to go this route, get back to us for more info.

 

[KenM10759]

Dropping out the way it is and not responding to the simple stuff, I would have to suggest you start looking for it's replacement. Don't bother looking until you decide what you need now and what you might need within the next 2-5 years. You can probably find a relatively inexpensive 5.1 channel audio video receiver with slightly more power than you might find a similarly powered two-channel receiver and have more capability. As is often said here, Accessories4less.com might have something nice for an affordable price, like this one:

Onkyo TX-SR333

Your two-channel receiver from about 1979 has 50 watts per channel, this one is about 65 with two channels driven and has Bluetooth. Up the budget toward $200 to $250 and you get a little more power and a lot more features.

If strictly 2 channel, replacement is a little less money for more power but a lot less features. Here's an example in the Yamaha R-S201.

 

[EXPGain]

Thank you guys very much for the quick and helpful replies! I'll try to use deoxit to clean the internals before deciding on what kind of receiver/amplifier to purchase.

Concerning the receivers you suggested KenM10759, they unfortunately seem to lack support for devices which use the Phono port like my turntable.
I've been looking around at the options, and there seems to be a lot of difference between 2.1 stereo or 5.1 surround devices. I'm way more interested in good quality sound and not so much a cool Michael Bay movie experience, so I am not sure which is the way to go.

The Onkyo TX-SR333 is not available for purchase in my region (Netherlands), but the Onkyo TX-SR343 receiver is. There is also the Onkyo TX-8020 2.1 stereo amplifier. My budget is approx. 300 euros, or 340 dollars. There is such a wide array of choices that as a complete newbie it's kind of a tough choice to make. I do not really care much for most of the modern enhancements like bluetooth and usb-ports (being raised by grandparents might be the cause).

What it boils down to is the question what might be the best possible purchase close to my budget. I'm not expecting the best possible device that will last me a lifetime at the moment, just something close or better than the Realistic STA-2250. If it helps, I listen to a lot of classical music.

 

[KenM10759]

Adding an external phono amp is easy, can be very affordable and is ideal with receivers as this allows you to get one ideally matched to the type of cartridge you turntable has. They plug right into the inputs on a receiver, pre-amp or integrated stereo amp.

No need to worry about features you don't need now, they'll be there in the future should you come around on convenience.