WANTED - Radford STA25

[Sophistry]

Hi all,

Looking for a Radford STA 25 to pair with my Tannoy Arden Mk1s!

Unfortunately, I never managed to recover my money from a scammer (or my bank) who I last tried to buy an amp from through an online classified site, so not overflowing with cash... But for the right amp I would find the money!

Given my last experience, I am also sticking to buying through safer methods - would love to find this dream amp through someone on the forum!

Cheers!

Charlie

[Edward]

Charlie, have you thought of asking Will at Radford Revival what he can do?

[Sophistry]

Thanks, Edward. I asked a while ago but Will was pretty busy and I didn't get very far. I was also emailing, and I suspect that it might be best to give him a ring. I will definitely give him a bell and see what he says - thank you for the sensible suggestion!

[Edward]

Good luck whichever way forward you go. The Radford is simply out of this world in whatever guise you get one.

I'd love to push the boat out and get the remaining STA100 that Will has.

How do your Ardens sound with the TAGs driving them? I assume you still have the TAGs.

[Sophistry]

I didn't know Will still had a remaining STA100... When I last spoke to him they had all been snapped up by people... maybe someone had to cancel? But as you say, I think they are pretty punchy price-wise so not sure I can push the boat out. Will need a new pre-amp also so that will add another expense!

I don't use the TAGs - will give them back to my Dad who had bought them for me as a present from a friend. Unfortunately, they sound all wrong with the speakers - for whatever reason (perhaps too much power?) there is no definition in the sound. I am currently using an old basic Rega Mira amp which I have had for a decade or so. It actually does a half decent job, but I know how good the speakers can sound with the right amp, and have heard a few STA25s with same generation HPD Tannoys as mine! Would love to get the Radford!

[spendorman]

No, I'm not selling my STA25 Mk3, at least not yet! I know someone with an STA20, yes, not 15 or 25, it's a rare STA20 Mk3, he has considered selling it. It's in good working order and cosmetically very good, about as good as my 25 that I've had for around forty years.

[Sophistry]

Hi Alex,

I didn't even know that there was an STA20! Do you know anything about the model? If your friend is interested in selling it, I am sure that I would be interested in hearing more about it!

Charlie

[spendorman]

Hi Alex,

I didn't even know that there was an STA20! Do you know anything about the model? If your friend is interested in selling it, I am sure that I would be interested in hearing more about it!

Charlie

Hi Charlie, the STA20 is very rare, looks much like an STA15/25 Mk3. I think I have some photos of his STA20 on my computer, I will ask my friend if I can show them here, and if he wants to sell.

Best, Alex

[spendorman]

Found the pics on my PC, just waiting for permission to show them!

[Barry]

Hi Alex,

I didn't even know that there was an STA20! Do you know anything about the model? If your friend is interested in selling it, I am sure that I would be interested in hearing more about it!

Charlie

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?4168-Manufacturers-Radford-Electronics

[spendorman]

Thanks Barry, I was wondering where that info was, as you might remember, my STA25 and ZD50 in the photos!

[spendorman]

STA20 Mk3

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/935/28780735127_2f50c9d49d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KRfMRa)STA20 front (https://flic.kr/p/KRfMRa) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/931/28780735437_d1ccc95233_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KRfMWv)STA 20 side no cover (https://flic.kr/p/KRfMWv) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/933/42952322504_a8aa4834b4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28rxT3y)STA20 top no cover (https://flic.kr/p/28rxT3y) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/938/29798974758_23c1c081d7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mpex1S)sta20 front plan (https://flic.kr/p/Mpex1S) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/43622413492_956b05b473_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29sLgKs)sta20 side with valves (https://flic.kr/p/29sLgKs) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

[spendorman]

I would have thought that you might have a claim against the "online classified site" for the loss of your money.

[IHP]

Good luck with your search Charlie, selling mine was my one HiFi regret (I think Marco had it, can't recall ?). I've been sniffing around myself but there's not a lot out there - as always, patience is your friend here. Truly sorry to hear about the scam. The Radford Revival pieces look stunning and whilst I think are very fairly priced are beyond my reach.

I'd not heard of the 20, interesting !

[snowman_al]

Charlie sorry for the thread creep, but I have a question for Radfordman et al.

The very interesting link https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?4168-Manufacturers-Radford-Electronics shows the STA20 as having solid state rectification - and I had assumed it was fixed bias like the STA25.

The pictures posted have a valve rectifier and cathode bias. (No adjustment pot holes.) It is all very confusing isn't it!

Alan

[spendorman]

Hi Alan, whilst the pics of the STA 20 show a socket that one might think a GZ34 fits in, the 20 has an octal plug in there which has links inside, the solid state rectifiers are below the chassis.

This pic shows (not that clearly) the octal plug.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/938/42783135845_b148859817_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28bAKKc)STA20a front (https://flic.kr/p/28bAKKc) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

[Edward]

Alex, so is your friend selling his beautiful looking STA20 and if so what price is he looking for?

[snowman_al]

Yes I can see it now, thanks Alex
Any shots of the internals anywhere?

[spendorman]

Alex, so is your friend selling his beautiful looking STA20 and if so what price is he looking for?

I spoke to him last night, he's sort of sitting on the fence, I know he paid a fair bit for it around 2009, I expect it would be a fair price for both buyer and seller.

[spendorman]

Yes I can see it now, thanks Alex
Any shots of the internals anywhere?

I have not seen the internals, but according to the owner, it's not as neat as usual 15's and 20's. I suspect that not many of the 20's were made, so perhaps sort of prototypes.

Here is a bit of text from the sale of the amp in 2009.

------------------------------

IT WAS ONLY MADE FOR 2 YEARS AND WAS VERY EXPENSIVE = THE STA 15 COST £38.10S 0D.
THE STA 25 COST £50.0.0D.
THE STA 20 COST £67.10S 0D.
IV BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN THE RADFORD MA15 MONOBLOCKS AND THE STA 15 AND THE STA 25. BUT NONE OF THEM WERE ANYTHING LIKE AS GOOD AS THE STA 20. THIS AMPLIFIER MAKES REAL MUSIC AND IS A REAL PLEASURE TO LISTEN TO. IT HAS NO HUM NO NOISES IT JUST MAKES MUSIC.
THE VALVE LINE UP IS = ECC88 ECF 82 AND EL34.
20 WATTS PER CHANNEL.
FREQUENCY RESPONCE 20HZ TO 20 KHZ.
FEEDBACK 25 DB.
SIGNAL TO NOISE LEVEL 80DB.
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION 0.05%.
ITS ALL IN VERY NICE CONDITION AND WORKS AS IT SHOULD.

[spendorman]

Hi everyone, I believe that it's only fair to now mention, with Peter's permission, that he owns the STA20 Mk3. This is Peter Anderson, user name trevisan22

It is best that any further requests for info is directed to Peter.

[anubisgrau]

Is there any factory marking on this Radford unit?

[spendorman]

Is there any factory marking on this Radford unit?

As far as I remember from the various photos, there is a Radford badge on one side of the cage cover for the transformers. I don't think there is a serial number plate. Peter (user name: trevisan22) should be able to confirm.

[Sophistry]

Thanks for all of the info and photos, all! Very much appreciated!

Charlie

[spendorman]

I have just looked in my copy of Audio! Audio! by Jonathan Hill (published by Sunrise Press), and the STA20 is indeed mentioned under Radford Amplifiers, of course the STA15, STA25 etc. are mentioned, as well as STA40 and STA60.

[Edward]

Thanks for all of the info and photos, all! Very much appreciated!

Charlie


Are you sorted now Charlie?

[Sophistry]

No! I have been a bit snowed under with work, so haven't reached out to Peter yet.

Also, I really did have my heart set on an STA25 so, even if Peter is willing to sell, and at a good price, I am honestly not sure that I will be up for it. Probably need to have a bit of a heart to heart with myself!