brecklandboy
pfm Member
One enthusiast showed off his full active system in one of the Hi-Fi magazines way back in the 70's, comprising of a Radford STA100 for bass duties, a Radford STA25/3 for mid-range and a Radford STA15/3 for HF.
Loud Speakers were the IMF Professional Monitor IV.
The STA15/3 has the sweetest sound reproduction of all the Radford STA's.
I cannot comment on the ultra rare Radford STA7, as I have never heard or seen one in the flesh.
Having owned several Radford amps in my time, I would say that the 'sweetest' sounding of the lot is the original STA12. According to a contemporary review from 1961, the '12 ran its EL34 valves at a significantly lower plate voltage than was the 'norm' for manufacturers of the time. This obviously reduced output but had the upside of contributing to an exquisitely detailed and beguiling sound which the later and more powerful Radfords don't quite manage to achieve IMHO.
Try listening to a 'sorted' STA12 with Mullard valves through a pair of original Quad ESL57s if you get the chance. Truly, the 'forgotten' Radford of the model range.