WTD: Radford STA 15 or 25

[djdstone]

Just posting on the very slim chance that some nice person on the AOS has one that they'd liked to sell. Send me a PM:eyebrows:

[struth]

wouldnt we all :eyebrows:

[djdstone]

You never know :stalks:

[spendorman]

Radford Revival perhaps

[djdstone]

Yes - having a chat with Will too

[spendorman]

Here's mine, bought second hand about 40+ years ago.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2076/32734114701_d442db1162_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RSATRX)DSCF1241 (https://flic.kr/p/RSATRX) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

Paid £150, and that included SC22 and FMT2 tuner

[Wakefield Turntables]

I nearly sold mine up until last week. Now I'm keeping it!

[mik_rik]

Bought my Sta15 & Sc22p s/h for £60 in 1981.The '15 is still going strong and has just been returned to original condition after playing around with boutique caps etc.No chance of parting with mine

[djdstone]

Let me know if you change your mind

[djdstone]

Is it worth considering a Radford Renaissance 35 too or it that not considered a pure Radford?

[spendorman]

Is it worth considering a Radford Renaissance 35 too or it that not considered a pure Radford?

Why not!

[spendorman]

Bought my Sta15 & Sc22p s/h for £60 in 1981.The '15 is still going strong and has just been returned to original condition after playing around with boutique caps etc.No chance of parting with mine

I overpaid for mine then!

[Jason P]

Drop CliveG on here a line... you never know your luck!

[djdstone]

Drop CliveG on here a line... you never know your luck!
Yes - great idea

[mik_rik]

I overpaid for mine then!

I bought mine cheap on the understanding it had a fault(turned out to be the pre-amp)I think we can both say we have had our moneys worth.:)

[Nemsys]

I bought my 25 back in 1978 for £80. I've recently spent £190 on it getting it cleaned, recapped and new valves. I took it along to a local hi-fi emporium, paired it with the shop's Rogue pre-amp and compared it with the best power amps that rogue could supply (costing £0000s of course..). I bought the preamp from him to pair it with and it sounds gorgeous. So I suppose what I'm saying is......mine won't be for sale, I'm afraid.

[Edward]

Prices for Radfords are getting a bit silly (IMO). There is a guy trying to sell an STA15 (with the matching pre) which is described as 'may not work'. Winning bid reached just over £1200, but the seller has now relisted (presumably to achieve an even higher price - with the winner presumably feeling deflated).

There is a guy in Bristol selling an STA15, looks pretty ugly but may well be an excellent restore job for Will.

[struth]

Prices for Radfords are getting a bit silly (IMO). There is a guy trying to sell an STA15 (with the matching pre) which is described as 'may not work'. Winning bid reached just over £1200, but the seller has now relisted (presumably to achieve an even higher price - with the winner presumably feeling deflated).

There is a guy in Bristol selling an STA15, looks pretty ugly but may well be an excellent restore job for Will.

good amps usually keep going up once the secret is out. If your lucky and have one before that happens then thats great; not so good for folk who havent tho;) . Still we all need targets I guess:)

[Macca]

They are still cheap for what you're getting though. Not heard much at any price that comes close.

[spendorman]

I have no connection with the sale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radford-STA25-amplifier/223378865324

[Wakefield Turntables]

You could try and search for a Sondex amp, these are the final iteration of the Radford STA100 amp. John Widgery designed these (he of the Renaissance Radfords) and the Sondex name dosen't carry the same "badge-fi" factor as the Radford name.

[Edward]

Here is a Woodside version in Germany I saw the other day. Looks like in great nick. Well worth the trip I'd say.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173782200328

[struth]

Here is a Woodside version in Germany I saw the other day. Looks like in great nick. Well worth the trip I'd say.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173782200328Lovely. Not seen that one before

[Wakefield Turntables]

Here is a Woodside version in Germany I saw the other day. Looks like in great nick. Well worth the trip I'd say.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173782200328


I have one of these. The one in the ebay ad has had it's binding posts replaced with something inferior, originally they would have been Michele engineered.

[struth]

I have one of these. The one in the ebay ad has had it's binding posts replaced with something inferior, originally they would have been Michele engineered.Look like the Chinese doubles I bought a load of. Quite decent quality they are.

[djdstone]

Looks like a beauty but a bit beyond current funds

[lordmortlock]

The eBay one certainly looks lovely. Is it quite a lot of money at £2.5k though? I’m not up on the value of these.

[mikeyb]

The eBay one certainly looks lovely. Is it quite a lot of money at £2.5k though? I’m not up on the value of these.£2800 new [emoji6]

[Wakefield Turntables]

The ACTUAL price of a Radford is not what you pay. You will pay a high price if you are wanting a nice example of a vintage amplifier which is well regards and sought after, supply and demand I'm afraid. You should also factor in the cost of tube rolling. You may also want to consider replacing old PCB parts such as doing a recap alongside PSU coupling caps. Resistors may have blown, burned, or drifted from spec. Valves may need re-biasing, and then you may wish to add your own "flavour" of customisation. So just think about the price you see and the actual price you'll pay should you wish to own one of these wonderful amps. ;)

[lordmortlock]

£2800 new [emoji6]

Aha.

[djdstone]

Here is a Woodside version in Germany I saw the other day. Looks like in great nick. Well worth the trip I'd say.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173782200328

Looks nice - I’m bought quite a few things from Germany in the past :-)

[Edward]

There is a audio dealer in Japan trying to sell an original STA25 for over £4k (equivalent).

Based on my own experience, Will's Revival amp is head and shoulders above the original STA25 series 3 version, but I do get why people want to buy vintage stuff.

[djdstone]

I got the impression that it was one of Wills new ones - so not that bad considering it less than a year old?

[djdstone]

What’s the difference between the Radford STA25 Renaissance and Woodside Radford STA35? I appreciate that on the 35 the circuit board sits on the surface but it it the same circuit on both?

[Edward]

I got the impression that it was one of Wills new ones - so not that bad considering it less than a year old?

If you are meaning the one being sold on eBay in Enfield for £2.5k then yes it is one of Will's incarnations.

[djdstone]

Looks very nice - but happy with an earlier version. I’m looking to drive some Tannoy Berkeleys - would an STA15 fit the bill? I don’t listen at high volumes and the room I use them in isn’t large. I did you some renovated Heathkits MA12s for a while with Radford transformers and they sounded quite good.

[walpurgis]

I reckon the STA15 will be just fine with Tannoys, especially in the circumstances you describe.

[flapland]

Chap on Wigwam stating he will have some Radford for sale at Tonbridge Audio jumble next Sunday. No prices mind.

https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/132103-tonbridge-audiojumble-my-radfords-accuphase-hadcocks-etc/

[Radford Revival]

That new STA25 on eBay was a heavily discounted amp, sold as a favour, made from of out of spec (not dimensionally, just incorrect) metalwork and has no legend panels with screen printing. While it is electrically fine it's not the same as a new one from us.

[spendorman]

That new STA25 on eBay was a heavily discounted amp, sold as a favour, made from of out of spec (not dimensionally, just incorrect) metalwork and has no legend panels with screen printing. While it is electrically fine it's not the same as a new one from us.


I noticed the missing legends, wondered why.

[ERICLIMPIT]

I have used my STA15 with tannoy golds and HPD's both 12" and 10" always sounded quite superb, some people reckon the STA15 is a slightly sweeter sounding amp if you don't need the extra power of the STA25.
The STA25 on ebay is the series 5 with the IEC connection & very nice indeed but expensive

[lordmortlock]

That new STA25 on eBay was a heavily discounted amp, sold as a favour, made from of out of spec (not dimensionally, just incorrect) metalwork and has no legend panels with screen printing. While it is electrically fine it's not the same as a new one from us.

Makes it look even more expensive then.

[matador]

I have one of these. The one in the ebay ad has had it's binding posts replaced with something inferior, originally they would have been Michele engineered.

Andrew, you're wrong.
These "inferior" binding posts are original, they were mounted on all Woodside amps from late 80's to early 90's.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Andrew, you're wrong.
These "inferior" binding posts are original, they were mounted on all Woodside amps from late 80's to early 90's.

I've the STA25 reneissance, number 81 I believe, and I've got the Michelle binding posts, the literature provided from "Radford" clearly states that it sports Michelle binding posts, perhaps they changed them later/earlier in the run of these amps?

[Edward]

I've the STA25 reneissance, number 81 I believe, and I've got the Michelle binding posts, the literature provided from "Radford" clearly states that it sports Michelle binding posts, perhaps they changed them later/earlier in the run of these amps?


I've got the original literature for this amp (and schematics I think) someplace which John Widgery sent to me. I'll see if I can dig it up and scan it.

[djdstone]

Yes - you’re right. The Michelle one have been added later.

[djdstone]

That’s interesting Will - how heavy was the discount?:eyebrows:

[got-no-id]

I have an STA25 for sale, taking it to Tonbridge this Sunday. Full details to those who come and see my table. Unless someone gets it off me beforehand.......

Im also taking Radford MA15 pair

Together with Hadcock tonearms, bits+bobs, records, cds, and an Accuphase tuner.

Ive no doubt that with over 100 tables there will be some lovely things for everyone to empty their piggy banks

[CliveG]

That new STA25 on eBay was a heavily discounted amp, sold as a favour, made from of out of spec (not dimensionally, just incorrect) metalwork and has no legend panels with screen printing. While it is electrically fine it's not the same as a new one from us.
The buyer ended up paying £2000 for it through Best Offer, so about right considering how much demand there is for these at the moment.

[matador]

I've the STA25 reneissance, number 81 I believe, and I've got the Michelle binding posts, the literature provided from "Radford" clearly states that it sports Michelle binding posts, perhaps they changed them later/earlier in the run of these amps?
I've the flagship MA50 Renaissance Series monos, numbers 75 and 76 I'm sure, few years ago I sold a similar pair to Italy, and they all have these cheap binding posts :D

[Barry]

I have an STA25 for sale, taking it to Tonbridge this Sunday. Full details to those who come and see my table. Unless someone gets it off me beforehand.......

Im also taking Radford MA15 pair

Together with Hadcock tonearms, bits+bobs, records, cds, and an Accuphase tuner.

Ive no doubt that with over 100 tables there will be some lovely things for everyone to empty their piggy banks


Now those are rare - if I didn't already have an STA15/III, I would have them.

[WESTLOWER]

Now those are rare - if I didn't already have an STA15/III, I would have them.

Kit built ?

[ERICLIMPIT]

Yes they're not in the standard Radford cases, possibly home build with Radford transformers and circuit boards, they apparently still sound like Radfords should. Maybe worth a punt at the right price

[djdstone]

Are they the same as the Heathkit MA12's - using the Mullard circuit? They came with Radford or Partridge transformers?
http://www.audio4maniacs.co.uk/article-heathkit.html

[gerlando]

http://www.retrotechaudio.co.uk/radford-sc22sta25.html

[ERICLIMPIT]

Are they the same as the Heathkit MA12's - using the Mullard circuit? They came with Radford or Partridge transformers?
http://www.audio4maniacs.co.uk/article-heathkit.html

https://imgur.com/a/s5AR0tf

[djdstone]

Managed to get a Woodford Renaissance STA 35 - just need to get some new valves. Shall I start with some JJ and go from there? Anyone using KT77s?

[spendorman]

Managed to get a Woodford Renaissance STA 35 - just need to get some new valves. Shall I start with some JJ and go from there? Anyone using KT77s?

Excellent, JJ KT77's in my STA25 III, also have the original Mullard EL34's and some GEC KT77

[ERICLIMPIT]

Yep I recently purchased a quad of JJ KT77's, an excellent sounding valve that seems to have an extra midrange sparkle over the EL34 and £84 for four, cheap too

[spendorman]

I believe that this seller tests each valve before sending.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JJ-KT77-Valve-Tube-Platinum-Tested-EL34-Alternative-BURNED-IN/320971470386

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JJ-KT77-Valves-Tubes-for-Amp-PLATINUM-MATCHED-Quad-BURNED-IN/222533726510

Have bought from him a couple of times, found him very good.

[spendorman]

Also looks to be good value

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JJ-EL34-Valves-Tubes-for-amp-Platinum-Matched-QUAD-Burned-In/220696310083

[lilolee]

Managed to get a Woodford Renaissance STA 35 - just need to get some new valves. Shall I start with some JJ and go from there? Anyone using KT77s?

The one off gumtree?

[djdstone]

Anyone bought Valves from this place?
https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/JJ-Electronic-KT77-Quartett/art-GIT0024822-000;pgid=6Q_gGZqmA39SRpOnTcQfq.5Q0000OE2-QiWf

[spendorman]

Anyone bought Valves from this place?
https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/JJ-Electronic-KT77-Quartett/art-GIT0024822-000;pgid=6Q_gGZqmA39SRpOnTcQfq.5Q0000OE2-QiWf

That's less than I paid for mine about 7 years ago.