The Fisher RS-2004A was an early 1980’s product made during the time Fisher Studio Standard was owned by Sanyo. Many discount this era as being a time when Fisher products were cheaply made and performed poorly. This isn’t necessarily the case. Are these stereos built as well as when Avery Fisher himself oversaw production? No, but they are still good quality stereos and Sanyo had quite a bit of experience producing quality electronic products.
The RS-2004A was on the market from about 1980 until 1983 and had a list price of $350.00. It produces 45 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
Instead of the usual bass and treble controls you see on most stereos the RS-2004A has a built in five band equalizer. This gives the user far more flexibility when adjusting the tone. You can disable the EQ completely via an on/off button. There is also a Loudness Contour button and headphone jack on the front panel.
Specifications:
- Tuning range: FM, MW
- Power output: 45 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.09%
- Input sensitivity: 2mV (MM), 150mV (line)
- Signal to noise ratio: 76dB (MM), 90dB (line)
- Output: 150mV (line)
- Dimensions: 5-7/8 x 19-1/4 x 14-7/8 inches
- Weight: 28.5lbs
The Fisher RS-2004A has an excellent tuner accompanied by two dial meters (Signal Strength and Center of Channel) on the right side of the front panel. On the left side are two power meters showing power output for both the left and right channels. When lit up in a dark room these meters look great.
There is an RS-2004 model as well and there are a few differences between the two models. The RS-2004 only has the two tuning meters on the right and lacks the two power meters. I believe the RS-2004 produces 40 watts per channel as opposed to the RS-2004A’s 45 wpc. This would make sense as Fisher’s RS-2002 produced 20 wpc and the RS-2003, 30 wpc. But, documentation on the RS-2004 is difficult to find.
You can connect two pair of speakers to the RS-2004A and it has inputs for Tape, Phono and Aux. There is also a de-emphasis switch and two AC plugs, switched and unswitched, on the rear panel.
The early 1980’s fisher receivers aren’t coveted by many but they are still pretty good vintage audio products. The RS-2004A is pretty common (the RS-2004 is not) so prices are very reasonable. If you see one for a good price pick it up and see how you like it.
If there was an ERA where you would want your product to have Sanyo engineering and design, it Would be this era (well, mid 70s through maybe early 80s) Many people don’t realize, that Sanyo built the internals for the really great Wollensak 8-Track decks ( and those are coveted as some of the best.) Sanyo was making great stuff around this era and is often overlooked. Combine that with the awesomeness that is Fisher and it’s like having two manufacturers in one. No worries people. Enjoy. :-)
Grew up in a house with this unit and loved it. I finally found one that wasn’t a basket case and it works just like I remember it. Instead of my CD player in the aux input I have my Sony media player. Steely Dan never sounded so good.
This Fisher came out in 1978 actually.