Radio Shack had to have this built by some big company, so no reason to believe that it could not be good.
Long ago, I ran one of the Sterling Electronics stores here in Texas, (similar to RS). Our entire line of receivers, amps and tuners were built by either Pioneer or Trio ( Kenwood ). The big guys simply go and contract stuff to be built with their own cosmetics and name plates. Some of it is bound to be crap and some is bound to be good.
The main thing you get with brand name gear is repeatability. You can be fairly certain that the line will be consistently of a particular nature or quality. RS may change vendors in mid stride, producing two different products within a short time.
If you really like what you hear, and do not feel that there is a better value, perhaps used at Audiogon, then go with what makes you happy. Just be certain that you get the same product you listened to.
Long ago, I ran one of the Sterling Electronics stores here in Texas, (similar to RS). Our entire line of receivers, amps and tuners were built by either Pioneer or Trio ( Kenwood ). The big guys simply go and contract stuff to be built with their own cosmetics and name plates. Some of it is bound to be crap and some is bound to be good.
The main thing you get with brand name gear is repeatability. You can be fairly certain that the line will be consistently of a particular nature or quality. RS may change vendors in mid stride, producing two different products within a short time.
If you really like what you hear, and do not feel that there is a better value, perhaps used at Audiogon, then go with what makes you happy. Just be certain that you get the same product you listened to.