Rivernuggets Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 For $5.99 at Savers there is a used Realistic LAB12 turntable, with an 'Acutex' cartridge. Says it's made in Great Britain. Looks like everything is intact, but not sure if it works. I don't own a TT and have a very small vinyl collection from the early 90s. Would this Realistic be an OK way to get into vinyl, or pass on it and never look back? Or should I hold out for something like Jhoak's recently sold Technics turntable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhoak Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 The Realistic Lab 12 is a pretty "low end" all plastic changer build by BSR. It'll play records but that's about all. I'm not sure about the cartridge though. Even at $6 I would pass on it but I'm kind of snobby about turntables. Really what do you have to lose by trying it? Assuming that it does work and it doesn't need a new stylus I would be sure to put on my most "sacreficial" record first. If anything is screwed up on it could trash a record pretty badly. And then there's the obvious question. Does your preamp / receiver/ whatever have phono connections? If not you're looking at the expense of adding some manner of phono preamp. Unlike todays low end tables that one does not have a built in preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 Thanks for your input! OK, I'll pass on it and wait for a good table that won't possibly ruin one of my records. I have a couple vintage Harmon Kardon receivers with Phono inputs. Should have jumped on your Technics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merkin Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Hi rivernuggets, I have an old technics that I bought new in about 1980. I put it back in service a yr ago and it has been working well. Not top of line but it plays the records well. You can find these for not much $$$ all over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share Posted March 17, 2011 Thanks merkin. What is the model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ69 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Merkin? As in Merkin Muffley? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merkin Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Mine is a SL-D2. It has auto return and a nice tone arm lift. It's direct drive which isn't premo but I use mine for just my old albums and some stuff I pick up at goodwill and garage sales. They are fun to play and very inexpensive. I just put a new cart on it I think it was a shure m97x. Kind of an all around truckster. Sounds good, though I'm not a real audiophile. I think I've lost too much hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 That's basically what I'm looking for - doesn't have to be something stellar. I don't consider myself an audiophile either. Thanks again merkin. I'll be on the casual lookout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merkin Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Merkin? As in Merkin Muffley? No not Dr. Strange Love. More like a toupee a female would wear below the waist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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