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Here's a big, nice looking and good sounding receiver. The power button is stuck on and a new switch costs $40 but does not look like an easy job at all so... It is very clean and sounds outstanding - 120 Watts into two channels. It has more of a "tube" sound compared to modern receivers. And it has 2 Phono Inputs. All the lights and switches and knobs function as they should. The AM sounded squelchy but the FM, Line and Phono playbacks are good to go. This one was well treated - except for the on and offing, which is not an easy fix - should only be taken on by a pro - otherwise just plug it into another switch and play away. Still This is sold as described - for repair - no returns. Here's some more Specs SpecificationsTuning range: FM, MWPower output: 120 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)Frequency response: 15Hz to 25kHzTotal harmonic distortion: 0.05%Input sensitivity: 2.2mV (MM), 140mV (DIN), 140mV (line)Signal to noise ratio: 68dB (MM), 75dB (DIN), 75dB (line)Output: 140mV (line), 3.3mV (DIN)Dimensions: 18-7/8 x 6-1/4 x 15-3/4 inchesWeight: 49 lbs
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Realistic emerged as the house brand of Radio Shack, founded in Boston in 1921 by two brothers to serve ham radio enthusiasts and ship radio operators. The company entered the high-fidelity market in 1947 with the nation's first audio showroom for comparing amplifiers, speakers, and turntables. In 1954, Harman Kardon proposed private-label gear under the name "Realist," but a lawsuit from the Realist Camera Company prompted a swift rebrand to Realistic, which Radio Shack used until 2000 after Tandy Corporation's acquisition.
Realistic spanned a broad array of consumer audio categories, including amplifiers like the "Little Jewel" series, speakers manufactured initially by Tandy in Texas and later by Japan's Sun, turntables, reel-to-reel and 8-track tape recorders, plus CB radios and accessories. The lineup emphasized accessible hi-fi components, often sourced from reputable OEMs, alongside entry-level hobbyist gear that filled Radio Shack catalogs and stores.
Positioned as a mid-tier, budget-friendly option, Realistic earned a devoted following among 1970s audiophiles for reliable performance at mass-market prices, though it never rivaled high-end marques like Dynaco or McIntosh, which Radio Shack also stocked. Today, it holds strong vintage-collector appeal for its nostalgic role in democratizing hi-fi, with survivors prized for modifiable circuits and sturdy builds despite the brand's discontinuation.
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