Lab 420 TT...Good/bad??

bereanbill · 30th April 2009, 11:01 PM

Ok...I know next to nothing about turntables. I picked up a Lab 420, sold by Radio Shack, at a thrift store for $5.00...looks like an ok unit. Direct drive, weighted tonearm, strobe speed control. It operates really nicely, sounds good, ( I'm not a highbrow type listener, but I do know crap when I hear it). I know RS never made anything of their own, so it was made by some major manufacturer...doesn't look like any low-level BSR or Garrard I have seen. Any thoughts or info on it, or any ideas where I can find info? Also, one of the spring-cushion-feetthings is broken...anywhere I can get replacements? Thanks everyone who has replied to my other threads !!!!

bereanbill · 25th May 2009, 09:17 PM

Bump??

kffern · 26th May 2009, 11:53 AM

You might have to send a picture before anyone will recognise it.
kffern

bereanbill · 26th May 2009, 10:06 PM

Ok...here's a photo I found of the LAB-400. Same TT except mine ( the 420 ) has automatic capabilities...record size setting too. Hopes this helps. As for the ? about rumble...do cartridges go microphonic...would a bad cartridge cause rumble ?

Gibbi · 27th May 2009, 11:58 AM

I have the Lab 420 and it sounds great. I put a Grado Red on it and am very impressed. I don't know who made them for Radio Shack but the Lab 400 and 420 are keepers. If you are hearing a hum it is hard to say where it is coming from, many sources possible and you will have to isolate it. A link to another's review of this TT.

Lab 420

Robbie42 · 30th May 2009, 08:10 AM

Hey there,

Nice turntables, made by Hitachi for radio shack. They were equivalents to the Hitachi Unitorque line.

kf4tqs · 8th January 2012, 01:11 AM

Are Hitachi and Realistic sister companies, or the same? Realistic makes a LAB-400 and 420--I'm about to buy one tomorrow, in fact, made by Realistic. I'm not sure about the rumble. Some people argue that direct drive TT's produce a rumble or hum, but I doubt it in the case of a LAB-420. What cartridge is installed?

30th April 2009, 11:01 PM	#1
bereanbill diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	Lab 420 TT...Good/bad?? Ok...I know next to nothing about turntables. I picked up a Lab 420, sold by Radio Shack, at a thrift store for $5.00...looks like an ok unit. Direct drive, weighted tonearm, strobe speed control. It operates really nicely, sounds good, ( I'm not a highbrow type listener, but I do know crap when I hear it). I know RS never made anything of their own, so it was made by some major manufacturer...doesn't look like any low-level BSR or Garrard I have seen. Any thoughts or info on it, or any ideas where I can find info? Also, one of the spring-cushion-feetthings is broken...anywhere I can get replacements? Thanks everyone who has replied to my other threads !!!!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What makes the good guitar pickup sound so good?	darkfenriz	Instruments and Amps	15	2nd March 2009 12:46 AM
Good switch for Stepped attentuater, Good cheap RCA jacks	pjpoes	Parts	20	10th March 2005 09:47 PM
Pioneer TS-W304C- anyone have good design for it? and is it good for home sub?	XteveX	Multi-Way	7	28th April 2004 05:05 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

25th May 2009, 09:17 PM	#2
bereanbill diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	Bump??

26th May 2009, 11:53 AM	#3
kffern diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Perth	You might have to send a picture before anyone will recognise it. kffern

27th May 2009, 11:58 AM	#5
Gibbi diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	I have the Lab 420 and it sounds great. I put a Grado Red on it and am very impressed. I don't know who made them for Radio Shack but the Lab 400 and 420 are keepers. If you are hearing a hum it is hard to say where it is coming from, many sources possible and you will have to isolate it. A link to another's review of this TT. Lab 420

30th May 2009, 08:10 AM	#6
Robbie42 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	Hey there, Nice turntables, made by Hitachi for radio shack. They were equivalents to the Hitachi Unitorque line.

8th January 2012, 01:11 AM	#7
kf4tqs diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011	Are Hitachi and Realistic sister companies, or the same? Realistic makes a LAB-400 and 420--I'm about to buy one tomorrow, in fact, made by Realistic. I'm not sure about the rumble. Some people argue that direct drive TT's produce a rumble or hum, but I doubt it in the case of a LAB-420. What cartridge is installed?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)