Realistic 2100 (circa 1979–1981)

Little is documented about the Realistic 2100 beyond Radio Shack's own advertising. No independent test reports or service material appear in the archive. What the ads establish is a flagship receiver. The campaign running in early 1979 in Audio (Feb 1979, p.45) billed it as "the finest, most powerful Realistic ever," rated at 120 watts per channel minimum RMS into 8 ohms from 20-20,000 Hz with no more than 0.1% total harmonic distortion. The same spread leaned on a celebrity endorsement: pianist/conductor Peter Nero, the copy said, listened on November 17 and bought one.

A follow-up ad in HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers (Feb 1981, p.4) shows the 2100 still on sale late in its run, discounted $200 and promoted with a built-in Dolby decoder, a walnut veneer cabinet, and enough inputs and outputs to handle "virtually anything." That is about the limit of the documented record. No production years, original list price, or measured performance figures are confirmed. Known from period advertising:

120 W/ch minimum RMS at 8 ohms, 20–20,000 Hz, at no more than 0.1% THD (manufacturer's claim)
Built-in Dolby decoder
Walnut veneer cabinet
Advertised as "the finest, most powerful Realistic ever"