Where I lived as a teen the only electronics store around was Radio Shack so my first receiver ended up being a Realistic. It was slightly over $200.00 and was rated at 22x2. I kept it for years and it worked without a flaw. It was in a beautiful walnut case with a black face. This was back when silver was the finish of the day. My first lesson in audio is when I sold it and bought a space age looking Pioneer rated at 45x2. Ooooo.... cool and more power. The Pioneer was bright and had no balls. (Mental note to self, I probably should start listening to this gear before buying and newer fancier isn't always better, also something must be wrong with these power ratings) I was poor back then but always wish I had kept that first receiver for reference and sentimental purposes. Well, also I wish I had kept it because I realized my so called upgrade wasn't an upgrade at all. The Realistic was discrete and I imagine that Pioneer was one of the first that started using IC chips.

From what I understand Realistic's receiver line was built from several different manufacturer's designs. In other words they didn't design anything on their own but copied off others. I'm assuming with permission. This is just what I was told I have no idea if it's true.

I remember drooling for a pair of Mach Ones every time I went into RS. As a teen I thought those big woofers were the shtuff.