going retro...need advise

[Tarheel_]

i'm dusting off my old albums and want to hear them again. Can someone recommend a decent player w/ a modest price. I can't afford audiophile quality, just need something reliable. Budget is <$100. If buying used, is there anything I should ask the sellers? Thanks...

[jbangelfish]

If there is a new tt with cartridge for under $100, it might sound so bad that you would regret buying it in the first place and would never understand why anyone listens to vinyl. If your albums are in terrible shape, you might not want to pursue this anyway. If they clean up reasonably well, go for it.
Even used, under $100, with a serviceable cartridge might be a toughy. Thorens, Dual, Pioneer, Phillips all made decent manual or semiautomatic tt's (I don't like fully auto, too much to go wrong and they don't sound so good) and you might find one on ebay in your range. There are many others but there were many bad ones by most companies so I narrowed the field. Listen to others if they have a specific model for you. I would avoid any direct drive in this price range as I'm not aware of any that were made very well unless you spent more. So, look for belt drive, guaranteed to work and hope it comes with a cartridge that is good enough to enjoy at least for awhile until you decide to upgrade or discard your pursuit. Good luck,
Bill

[Tarheel_]

If there is a new tt with cartridge for under $100, it might sound so bad that you would regret buying it in the first place and would never understand why anyone listens to vinyl. If your albums are in terrible shape, you might not want to pursue this anyway. If they clean up reasonably well, go for it.
Even used, under $100, with a serviceable cartridge might be a toughy. Thorens, Dual, Pioneer, Phillips all made decent manual or semiautomatic tt's (I don't like fully auto, too much to go wrong and they don't sound so good) and you might find one on ebay in your range. There are many others but there were many bad ones by most companies so I narrowed the field. Listen to others if they have a specific model for you. I would avoid any direct drive in this price range as I'm not aware of any that were made very well unless you spent more. So, look for belt drive, guaranteed to work and hope it comes with a cartridge that is good enough to enjoy at least for awhile until you decide to upgrade or discard your pursuit. Good luck,
Bill

without trying to sound like a moron...what is a cartridge and what is its purpose? My albums should be in great shape since they've been stored for over 13 years in a climate controled environment (closet). You brought up some good points, i may not bother with it, i was hoping to understand and benefit why people love vinyl without investing much money. Decisions, decisions. I've had great luck w/ Technics over the years...any decent models from them to consider? Thanks for the info!

[DMK]

without trying to sound like a moron...what is a cartridge and what is its purpose? My albums should be in great shape since they've been stored for over 13 years in a climate controled environment (closet). You brought up some good points, i may not bother with it, i was hoping to understand and benefit why people love vinyl without investing much money. Decisions, decisions. I've had great luck w/ Technics over the years...any decent models from them to consider? Thanks for the info!

A cartridge can also be called a "needle" for simplicity's sake. It rides the grooves and reads the "squiggles" and then sends this info to the cartridge body which then sends the signal (louder) to your amp. That's overly simplified but it's basically what happens.

Where you stored your LP's doesn't make nearly as much difference as how you handled them when you were playing them - although kudos for being proactively smart and storing them wisely! Did you clean them regularly with some type of wet cleaner? You'll need to do so now. Dirt gets into the grooves and is basically fused into them which causes the pops, clicks and noise.

If you can find a used Technics SL-QD22, buy it. It'll probably set you back less than $75, possibly with a cartridge attached. That unit has a great tonearm and performs ahead of its class. I still own one that I'm currently not using but it's not for sale! My kids will get it when they get a little older.

As jbangelfish said, you may find that you're not crazy about vinyl using a cheap deck and dirty records. But on the other hand, you might hear a glimpse of the superior sound LP's are noted for and wish to upgrade at some point. But before you re-store your LP's, you might try buying a couple of brand new ones to help you see what the fuss is all about. I can tell you this: when LP's are played on decent gear and are clean, CD's cannot compete sonically, 90% or better of the time, IME. Good luck and enjoy!

[trollgirl]

asking the seller anything - if the table is being shipped, get insurance, and make sure they engage the transit screws! A couple of years ago, I bought a Dual on eBay, and it was DOA, as the transit screws were not tightened down. The speed control was smashed and so the whole unit was useless - but it was insured. Don't let that happen to you.

Laz

[Geoffcin]

i'm dusting off my old albums and want to hear them again. Can someone recommend a decent player w/ a modest price. I can't afford audiophile quality, just need something reliable. Budget is <$100. If buying used, is there anything I should ask the sellers? Thanks...

Hi Tarheel,

Ebay is the place you want to go. Get a used 80's vintage direct drive turntable. Stay away from belt drive, as it's really hard to find replacment belts.

Here's one that caught my eye; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3064963774&category=48649.

The sellers got 200 comments with a 100% rating, so you know he's doing the right thing.

[Woochifer]

Hi Tarheel,

Ebay is the place you want to go. Get a used 80's vintage direct drive turntable. Stay away from belt drive, as it's really hard to find replacment belts.

Here's one that caught my eye; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3064963774&category=48649.

The sellers got 200 comments with a 100% rating, so you know he's doing the right thing.

Gotta disagree with you on the direct drives! Most of the ones I've tried in the past introduce audible noise into the signal path, with some of them exhibiting audible rumbling sounds. The only ones I heard that did not do this were Denon's direct drives. IMO, the main application for direct drives would be for DJing because the higher torque direct drive motors are better for quick starts and stops, and backcuing. Otherwise, belt drives generally run quieter, use low torque motors (which reduces potential for electrical interference), and you have a lot more options with regard to isolation platform designs since belt drive turntables are basically all you find in the high end market.

Not sure if I would go the ebay route on a turntable for the aforementioned shipping problems. Turntables are a lot more delicate in general than other audio components and don't take abuse very well.

Finding belts is actually not all that hard. I order mine directly from PRB, who make belts that can fit just about every turntable ever made. A lot of electronic parts vendors stock PRB belts and you can order them online as well. The Needle Doctor also sells belts, and can even do custom orders if your turntable requires an unusual belt size.

http://www.russellind.com/prbline/index.html
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.ACCT106601/ck.QGmPPhpnAJIB3Tnm/cktime.6394/sc.2/category.12/.f

[Woochifer]

i'm dusting off my old albums and want to hear them again. Can someone recommend a decent player w/ a modest price. I can't afford audiophile quality, just need something reliable. Budget is <$100. If buying used, is there anything I should ask the sellers? Thanks...

At $100, your options are limited to nonexistent. That price will barely buy you a decent cartridge (IMO, the most overlooked part of the turntable ... makes more of a difference in the sound quality than the turntable itself in my experience). The thing about good turntables is that they retain their resale value, and if they originally sold for $500 or more, you're generally not going to find them on the used market going for under $100 unless they're in less than ideal condition.

As far as new turntables go, Music Hall and ProJect both sell well budget regarded turntables for under $200. The most frequently recommended budget cartridge are the Grado Prestige series models, which start around $40. I would not go with a low end Sony or other $100 options that you might see at Best Buy. Their isolation is practically nonexistent (with turntables, the isolation quality makes a noticeable difference in sound quality), and the platters are poorly made.

Otherwise, if you're not too picky about the sound quality, Technics turntables are pretty rugged and generally come with P-Mount cartridge mounts which are about as close to "plug and play" as you can get and don't require tinkering with the overhang angle and offset. (Only drawback with P-Mount is that a lot of the better cartridges are not available in that design) The Technics' sound quality's a step down from the better turntables, but they're simple and readily available.

[Geoffcin]

I've still got my old direct drive turntable that I bough many, many years ago. It works great, with NO audible rumble at all. It's a Realistic LAB-400, top of the line for RS circa 1978. My cartridge is a vintage Stanton 681eee, that I got at my first job working for Stanton Magnetics.

Got to meet old man Stanton too. That guy was a certified genius. I worked in the Stanton "skunk works", and you would not belive the electonics that he was making/designing for the defense dept.

[jbangelfish]

For the most part, I'd agree with Woochifer and avoid the direct drive unless you can find one of the proven performers mentioned. Too many of the lower end direct drives were just junk. Some excellent ones were made but they were not sold cheaply. If you went with direct drive, I'd look for the quartz lock feature, which controls the speed. Micro Seiki made some great ones but they are usually over $1000 used. OTOH, some very reasonbly priced belt drives were made that would sound fine and it's true that most turntables today that are considered high end are belt drive. Replacement belts are available for many of the old tt's. The biggest challenge to all of this is doing it for $100 with a decent cartridge but it's not impossible. Ebay should be fine but make sure the seller has the original box if possible, uses the shipping locks and locks the tonearm in place very securely. It will receive some rough handling in shipping but if enough care is taken to package it and it is insured, you should be safe. Looking for something within driving distance from home is not a bad idea either.
Bill

[Tarheel_]

boy, you guys provided some great information. I haven't been around lately...just don't enjoy the site as much as the previous format. The site just doesn't have the personal touch of the former. Perhaps this post may change my mind.

[jbangelfish]

But I'm getting used to it. Good luck in your quest. For me, I'd definately look used. I can't imagine that these new low buck tt's are any better than the old low buck tt's and that's not very good in most cases. I mentioned a few and so did some others, you should be able to find one of them somewhere.
Bill

[Jimmy C]

If you are interested, I have an almost perfect Realistic LAB-440 from either '81 or "84... can't quite make out the date on the original receipt. It has the original box, packing materials, manual, receipt, and cheapie Shure cart. This table has clearly not been used more than a few times.

In the quest for capturing some of my adolescence (good luck!), I wanted the EXACT table I was using over 20 years ago. I found this one on eBay, and bought it. It was ever-so-slightly different (placement of stobe speed adjuster and the cueing lever slightly different). A month later, the exact model I had was for sale by the same guy - needless to say I have two, old, almost identical tables.

The only problems are a slight mar on the dustcover (size of a large pinhead) which wasn't there when I got it, the only thing I can think of is might be a spit from an air freshener can. Also, there is a SLIGHT warp to the outer rubber mat... honestly doesn't affect play. Maybe some weight on it would flatten it. The cart is old, but appears to be "like-new"...even if you had a problem, a $20 replacement would do it.

This 'ole Rat Shack table was top of the line at the time, sales receipt says close to $275, IIRC. Almost new condition. You can check out eBay for a pic of similar model - usually there.

I paid $120 for this first one, and $100 for the second (that I'm keeping). I'll take $100 plus shipping.

This is certainly not an audiophile rig, but sounds pretty good in it's own right, maybe a good step into analog to see if you wish to venture further. If you're interested, I'll unpack it and make sure everything is still good. Lemme know!

[Geoffcin]

If you are interested, I have an almost perfect Realistic LAB-440 from either '81 or

This is certainly not an audiophile rig, but sounds pretty good in it's own right, maybe a good step into analog to see if you wish to venture further. If you're interested, I'll unpack it and make sure everything is still good. Lemme know!

You know, The old LAB's don't look like the radical multi-kilo plattered audiophile TT that are for sale today, but stick a decent cartrige in it, and you've got a hell of a TT!

[Jimmy C]

...it certainly doesn't have the weight or scale of my Pro-Ject, nor the quieting of background noises (cart-related, mostly) and a host of other aural goodies, but when the recording is good, this archaic puppy is alright! I have a Grado Green on the one I'm keeping, and might suprise some people (O.K., ... not someone used to a VPI TNT...lol) but maybe to someone that hasn't heard an album in 15 years.

Another semi-cool feature: Adjustable lead-in and lift-off arm timing.

A friend also has a table from the 80s... a Pioneer PL-2. The Realistic sounds W-A-Y weightier and clearer. And that's with the stock cart...

Welp, I got my EXACT table, but I still don't feel any younger... any ideas why? :^)

[Woochifer]

Not sure about the Realistic model that you're talking about, but in the late-70s the Realistic turntables were made by BIC, which were very good budget turntables. I grew up with a BIC Model 980, and it's still functional at my parents' house. Sound was decent, but it did not have any isolation to speak of, and the tonearm/headshell was a bit quirky. My Dual CS5000 was a noticeable step up in every category, even with an identical Ortofon OM20 cartridge.

[Jimmy C]

...some like to damp the vibes, and some like to funnel them. No, there is no elaborate damping system on the LAB-440, and it can skip if someone walks by (on a suspended floor, not slab), but not usually a problem.

The headshell on the 440 comes apart from the arm, via a set screw. Nice touch - easier to manipulate the f'n tiny screws that secure the cart to the shell. AND - I even did bolts DOWN, instead of up... let's see who can match ME in the "patience" category"...lol. Honestly, I was sweating... VERY tedious. All this without ruining the needle...hehe.

There is a "440" on eBay right now, if you wanna take a look. Just search under "Realistic turntable". BUT - mine is mint :^)

Still not sure sure who actually built it, though...

[Geoffcin]

Thanks for pointing out that vintage LAB on ebay.
Mine is the 400, a few years older than yours. It has a s shaped tone arm, but most basic stuff is the same.

Hey, the same guy on Ebay has an old AR belt drive too. That was one hell of a great turntable in it's day.

[Jimmy C]

...actually has two of those old ARs - he inhereted one from his dad, and found the other at a local audio shop (coincidentally). The second one was in really nice shape, picked it up for $75.

Can't comment on sound quality - never heard it pugged into his main stereo.

I'll never forget the AR demo of "The Turntable" back in the 80s - you could actually hit the plinth with a rubber mallet and it wouldn't skip!

Actually, THAT rig would be a great table to get into vinyl, but I think the prices are creeping up...

[Tarheel_]

Jimmy C.
I appreaciate the offer, but since my wife gave me the Pioneer dvd-a/sacd player for xmas i've decided to go that route. Very impressive thus far. Although, after time, i'll probably want a new toy. Hopefully, those albums still play. They are old...heck, that means i am too. Thanks...

[Jimmy C]

...make me spend my precious time typing all this BS when you're not even interested! Fine - I thought we were gonna be Revel/Realistic buddies... nevermind... whatever...see if I care... :^)

I just got a DVD also - my first. I think the best part is not having to rewind tapes! The sad part is I suppose my beloved Sony VCR is going to get very little use from now on... I loved that machine! I bought it in 1994, at about $450... has the flying erase head for clean editing and a bunch of other cool features - I hate to pack it up... the only glitch was she needed servicing a year ago to unstick the eject mechanism.

The good news is the Rotel DVD sounds as good as my Rotel CD player - I can now use the Rotel CD in my bedroom (instead of the consumer-grade Sony CDP)... I'm curious if there are any differences between those two.

So... is the SACD much better? My only gripe is software is relatively limited... "they" have to figure out a universal format. I'm wondering if there are crappy SACDs like there are redbook CDs... or, are they ALL on another sonic plane? If ALL SACDs sounded at least as good as my best redbook, I would be tempted - providing software is plentiful.

Enjoy your new toy!

[Woochifer]

...actually has two of those old ARs - he inhereted one from his dad, and found the other at a local audio shop (coincidentally). The second one was in really nice shape, picked it up for $75.

Can't comment on sound quality - never heard it pugged into his main stereo.

I'll never forget the AR demo of "The Turntable" back in the 80s - you could actually hit the plinth with a rubber mallet and it wouldn't skip!

Actually, THAT rig would be a great table to get into vinyl, but I think the prices are creeping up...

The AR turntable's a classic. The basic design goes back to the 50s and AR only needed to make incremental refinements along the way. Those mallet demos go all the way back to that era. I know that AR brought it back in the mid-80s as the AR-1 Renaissance (?) for a short time, but it had already gone back out of production by the time I could save up enough to buy a good turntable. I wound up buying a Dual CS5000, which has a suspension isolation very similar to the AR system (and passes the same mallet test) and a quartz locked belt drive.

The ARs do sound nice (I only heard one, so not sure it's an adequate evaluation), but I've heard that they are susceptible to picking up noise with certain types of cartridges.

[Tarheel_]

...make me spend my precious time typing all this BS when you're not even interested! Fine - I thought we were gonna be Revel/Realistic buddies... nevermind... whatever...see if I care... :^)

I just got a DVD also - my first. I think the best part is not having to rewind tapes! The sad part is I suppose my beloved Sony VCR is going to get very little use from now on... I loved that machine! I bought it in 1994, at about $450... has the flying erase head for clean editing and a bunch of other cool features - I hate to pack it up... the only glitch was she needed servicing a year ago to unstick the eject mechanism.

The good news is the Rotel DVD sounds as good as my Rotel CD player - I can now use the Rotel CD in my bedroom (instead of the consumer-grade Sony CDP)... I'm curious if there are any differences between those two.

So... is the SACD much better? My only gripe is software is relatively limited... "they" have to figure out a universal format. I'm wondering if there are crappy SACDs like there are redbook CDs... or, are they ALL on another sonic plane? If ALL SACDs sounded at least as good as my best redbook, I would be tempted - providing software is plentiful.

Enjoy your new toy!

Jimmy Jimmy...we can still be Revel friends...hold hands and swap interconnects and all that stuff

On SACD quality being on a level plane? No sure yet, i only own 3 SACD and 2 DVD-A.
The SACDs all sound similar in quality, but they so different musically i cannot directly compare except to say they all 3 sound better than my best redbook CDs.
Choices are limited...give you an example...I was in Charlotte last week and went to mediaplay (mediaplay.com) and they have the sacd/dvd-a grouped together, but no offical sign...someone had written the signs by hand on a cardboard-like surface.
Probably...ahh...75 sacd and 50 dvd-a
(pros and cons to both)
sacd...SOME can be played through any cd player
dvd-a..have picture gallerys and some have more sound choices like 5.1 DTS and DD, 92/24 and 192/24...some even have the words on screen -BUT you have to manually scroll with the music?

And they are expensive...$16.99 for most of the them.

[jbangelfish]

I have one called THE AR and it was a very fine tt in it's day. A friend also has one about the same vintage (mid 80's) but a different model, nearly identical in appearance. The both use the same Hurst motor and both have gone bad. New motors can be bought for $100 or so retail or $40 direct from Hurst if you can buy wholesale. They might be tricky to change out as the belt pulley has been glued to the shaft of the motor and it is through the base. Not impossible but tricky. I plan to tackle it sometime.
Bill

[steve6]

This isn't *quite* within your budget, but it's new and, since I owned it, I can vouch for the fact that it's not too shabby. Not at all.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-sK3TuKLyZH7/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=4&g=10500&I=133SLBD20D&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

You should, though, upgrade from the stock Technics p-mount cart to something a bit better. Crutchfield even offers a suggestion, I believe. With shipping, I think you could slide in for under $200.




without trying to sound like a moron...what is a cartridge and what is its purpose? My albums should be in great shape since they've been stored for over 13 years in a climate controled environment (closet). You brought up some good points, i may not bother with it, i was hoping to understand and benefit why people love vinyl without investing much money. Decisions, decisions. I've had great luck w/ Technics over the years...any decent models from them to consider? Thanks for the info!

[hifitommy]

all this analog chatter. its certainly been a big source of pleasure for me and most of my 4k LPs have been $0.50-1.00. ive learned to cheeeeeply clean them and not so cheeeeply play them (i also use a cheeep method).

by far, its the most cost effective and satisfying music source. i have also embraced sacd and hope that turns out to stay around for a long while. very close to analog sound.

anyway, we vinylphiles are a gregarious group and we'll leave the light on and the seat up for ya.

[DMK]

by far, its the most cost effective and satisfying music source.

Owning and buying a lot of cheap, used vinyl has certainly made the the "dark days of digital" of the last 20 years more bearable. I like the concept of digital but it hasn't reached its potential - or maybe it has with SACD.

Somewhere on this board, someone posted that he found it funny that vinylphiles always feel the need to tout LP's while digiphiles felt no such need with redbook. Hard to crow about distortion, paper thin images, tonal irregularities, grain and harshness, don't you think? :)

[hifitommy]

vinyl is where its at but since i got MY sony sacd (didnt you get a 755 or something?) i dont complain as loudly about rbcd. they sound so much better there.

the reissue sacd products have been sounding pretty good, concord especially and audio fidelity (try the cal tjader and buddy rich for starters) as well as the columbias sounding relaxed too. marshall blonstein is the prop at AF with steve hoffman in there too as i get it. blonstein was the prop at DCC. why that went under is beyond me.

[FlexCrush]

I've still got my old direct drive turntable that I bough many, many years ago. It works great, with NO audible rumble at all. It's a Realistic LAB-400, top of the line for RS circa 1978. My cartridge is a vintage Stanton 681eee, that I got at my first job working for Stanton Magnetics.

Got to meet old man Stanton too. That guy was a certified genius. I worked in the Stanton "skunk works", and you would not belive the electonics that he was making/designing for the defense dept.


Do you still have the owners manual? I've been looking for years. Also, what type of replacement headshell can be used for the Realistic LAB-400.

Thanks,

FlexCrush

[royphil345]

I agree that for the best possible performance in a high-end table, belt drive is the way to go because of the lower noise. Although, I haven't seen many lower-priced belt drive tables (especially from the '80s) that can compare to direct drive in keeping the speed accurate and even. There is a reason direct drive beat out belt drive in the early '80's. With all the crap plastic direct drive tables that came out in the '80's, it's no wonder direct drive got a bad name.

I think one of the better direct drive tables (Technics, Sony PS-X4, X5, X6, or X7 NO OTHER SONYS!!!, I like the Realistic LAB 440) would be the best bang for $100.00... The LAB 440 just takes a standard straight-arm headshell by the way... http://www.garage-a-records.com/index.php There are better direct drive tables than these (Denon, Marantz), but they still go for a little more $. I'd be tempted to pick up that Realistic and someday put a Shure M97xE on it.

As far as the Technics goes, I'd probably lean toward getting one of the older Q-series tables for less than $100.00 than a new one for $200.00. Durability shouldn't be a problem with these tables. The older ones had quartz-lock and probably an all-around heavier build. There are plenty of Technics models that aren't P-mount. Unfortunately, people seem to be holding on to those at the moment. Mostly just the P-mount for sale these days and an occasional 1700 (Pretty old, but would probably still be reliable)... oh, and the "close and play" linear tracking models. Think you can order just about any Grado cartridge you want as a P-mount, so it might not be so bad.

[Geoffcin]

Do you still have the owners manual? I've been looking for years. Also, what type of replacement headshell can be used for the Realistic LAB-400.

Thanks,

FlexCrush

I don't have any info on the headshell either.

[FlexCrush]

I've still got my old direct drive turntable that I bough many, many years ago. It works great, with NO audible rumble at all. It's a Realistic LAB-400, top of the line for RS circa 1978. My cartridge is a vintage Stanton 681eee, that I got at my first job working for Stanton Magnetics.

Got to meet old man Stanton too. That guy was a certified genius. I worked in the Stanton "skunk works", and you would not belive the electonics that he was making/designing for the defense dept.

Noticed that you have a LAB-400 and was wondering if you still had the operating/owners manual? I found mine at a yard sale for $3.00, without the headshell/cartridge. If you have the manual, would you be interested in sharing a copy with a fellow owner? Also, I need some information about replacing the headshell/cartridge..........any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[Geoffcin]

Noticed that you have a LAB-400 and was wondering if you still had the operating/owners manual? I found mine at a yard sale for $3.00, without the headshell/cartridge. If you have the manual, would you be interested in sharing a copy with a fellow owner? Also, I need some information about replacing the headshell/cartridge..........any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

I'm absolutly sure you can get a replacement on the web though.

[FramerKat]

Hello all! I am new here and was searching for information about the Realistic Lab 400 when I stumbled upon this page. My husband recently got me the Stanton USB turntable and I've been pulling out my vinyl since December. Anyway, I have the Lab 400 and I had upgraded the headshell/needle about 20 years ago in Northern Virginia. The Stanton headshell (H4s) I got at that point I believe accepts any elliptical cartridge and standard stylii now. I had gone to Radio Shack for a needle replacement at the time, but all they had was a junky sapphire...I will not put that on my precious vinyl.

[FramerKat]

Wow, didn't realize that the post was from 2004...hopefully the information is still pertinent! And I just went into my files and found that I do have the original user manual for this turntable. Leave it to my Dad and myself and our "packrat" ways! I can share copies with anyone if they like...I can scan into pdf or just jpg format...let me know!

[basite]

Holy Thread revival Batman!!!

but hello,

Welcome to AR :)

are you just looking for info on your turntable, or are you looking for a new cartridge/stylus?

I don't know anything about the turntable, but I found a picture and it looks like a decent turntable, if it still works properly, I would definately keep it, and use that instead of the stanton IMO...
the stanton is a gift, however :p

I would, however, replace the stylus, or the entire cart, 20 years is quite long, the suspension can dry out, causing your cart to become 'stiff', generating rumble, and it may wear out the vinyl quicker...

It looks like a heavy tonearm, so I'd look at Grado, or Denon, or shure, maybe Audiotechnica too...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[FramerKat]

Yes, I did replace the cartridge this past year...my husband started working for Stanton Group a couple of years ago and I managed to get the cart and the usb turntable out of him! I have the lab 400 running through the mixer and I'm getting a "hum" from it that I don't like...not sure if it's a grounding problem or what. I'll dig around later and see. The Stanton sounds great...but I'm not an experienced judge...just lovin' my old vinyl! Once I get rid of the "hum" I can do more of a "side by side" comparison.

Thanx for the input!

Oh, and here's a couple of pics I shot for reference:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/FramerKat/Misc/IMGP0112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/FramerKat/Misc/IMGP0113.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/FramerKat/Misc/IMGP0114.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/FramerKat/Misc/IMGP0115.jpg

[basite]

Hum sounds like a grounding problem...

check the ground cable, maybe it's not well attached, or it came loose on the inside...

does it still run stable (no real speed issues), if it's a belt drive, You could look for a new belt, if you haven't replaced it recently...

The stanton seems to be an OK turntable too, although more suited for dj's, which means it will have a robust tonearm, which tracks good but might not get the most out of the cartridge...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[FramerKat]

The speed is a bit off on the old TT, but runs a bit fast...haven't been able to nail it down to the correct speed. Since it's direct drive (as I just figured out), I don't know what besides a belt could be checked for this issue. The Stanton does sound good to me...and I upgraded the cart. to a 680.v3 upon recommendation from one of the resident "experts" at Stanton.

The ground is the first thing I'll check when I'm poking around behind the stereo again...probably next weekend.

[FramerKat]

This is an old thread that I dug up the other day without realizing how old it actually was. That guy may not even be shopping around for turntables anymore.

[O'Shag]

Under a hundred bucks - forget it.

You need a turntable, a tonearm, a cartridge, and phono cable. On top of this you'll need a phonostage (MM at least). Unless you find someone giving a basically decent setup away, your going to have to raise your budget. You have to spend significantly more than $100 to get a sound that is as good or better than the digital equivalent. Also, you do not want to start scratching your records with a bad stylus. The flipside is, if you do get the right setup, analogue - vinyl can sound really great..

[BRANDONH]

This is an old thread that I dug up the other day without realizing how old it actually was. That guy may not even be shopping around for turntables anymore.
too funny Now I see how old it is.

[reb4884]

Hello everyone.
I have read many of your reviews of the Realistic LAB-440. I see that many of you share my very positive opinion that this is a very good turntable.

I tried other websites to see who actually made it for Radio SHack and I sent them an e-mail today asking for that information.

So now I'm asking all of you. I thought it matches Rotel's specs, but would really like to know who made it.

I would appreciate your input.

[Jimmy C]

Hello everyone.
I have read many of your reviews of the Realistic LAB-440. I see that many of you share my very positive opinion that this is a very good turntable.

I tried other websites to see who actually made it for Radio SHack and I sent them an e-mail today asking for that information.

So now I'm asking all of you. I thought it matches Rotel's specs, but would really like to know who made it.

I would appreciate your input.

...I was curious as well.

I asked this on another forum, and it seems that Pioneer might be the manufacturer. According to some, it looks exactly like the same-era Pioneers with different colorings.

I wouldn't doubt it - some of Rat Shack receivers are quite similar to the Pioneers of the late 70s, early 80s.

[FramerKat]

Once again, upon looking for information, I found a thread elsewhere that mentions the origins of the Realistic Lab 400/420...
"made by a company called CEC that OEM's turntables for several companies."
Not sure of the validity of the statement, but it's better than nuthin'!

My uncle is offering some "parts", so I may be going home for a visit and a new tonearm...he's an old school audiophile, so I'm sure he's got some good stuff. Good way to bribe me to come visit :yesnod: