Lab 400 or Technics SL-Q3?

J

JRW

Active Member
I am looking at both. The carts are about the same and the asking price is also. I had a Technics DD drive many years ago and loved it. This would become the daily driver and my Late 80's Pioneer would become table #2. I could actually touch the Technics. The Lab looks great on the emails, and I've been offered the opportunity to watch and listen to a video but it would be a shipping situation.

I would welcome perspective as I'm sure there are many on this site who have owned both or own both.

Thank you
 
Register to hide this ad
16232083395702897940428280578844.jpg16232083671413613634273233483467.jpg Never had an SL-Q3.
I had a SL1400 Mk 2, i bought new in 70's. Think it was nearly $500. Had it until que linkage broke for a second time and parts unavailable in 90's. Platter spring suspension gave out. Springs likely could be replaced.

I have had for about five years, in like new condition, a Lab400 from 1980. Was $200 in about 2015, from a record shop. It is the vinyl woodgrain version. The year before, 1979 they were wood veneer. Its a nice mid-fi table that came with stock Realistic rebranded Shure M 91. Bought a LP Gear Vivid microline stylus for it. Sounded very good with that cart. Now has a Grado ME+ mono cart for mono jazz. I replaced the spring feet with 2" Sorbothane, 50 duro, half -hemispheres with felt pads.

I don't know which of these tables i would choose today if in same condition. The Technics was a more expensive TT at time. Had a Shure M95 then M97 on it. Probably the Technics.

To me there's maybe less risk with an in person purchase. Especially if original box and packing is gone. Even then shipping TT s, i would need a LOT of confidence in seller, knows what they're doing.
My 2 cents or less.
 
Last edited:
I had a SL-Q3 & I thought it was nothing special.
All things being equal, I'd get the Realistic but things are not equal because of shipping.
So, I agree w OG8, get the one thats local. There are so many ugly stories about turntables & shipping disasters.
Or, you could wait for something that really trips your trigger to come along............
 
Asking $275 for the Technics and $300 for the Lab. Lab has better cart. I haven't tried to work either down yet. As for my trigger getting tripped, it was, by a Sansui 525, but it ended up having the lateral weight and the part of the tonearm where it was mounted broken off. That was the table I wanted. But, the Lab 400 is pretty. This would be a step up turntable from my functional, if not sexy, Pioneer.
 
I bought a LAB 400 for my son and after playing it, I wanted to keep it. He has had it for a couple years new and it gets lots of use. He hasn't had a single problem with it. I really liked the Realistic branded Shure M91ED cartridge. It's a nice sounding TT. I had it apart, and it's easy to work on if ever needed. The platter was wobbly when I got it and after removing three screws. The motor came right out. It turned out to just be the mounting screws on the bottom of the motor housing were loose. I tightened them up and it's been rock solid ever since. It seems to be a solid built CEC turntable.
 
I would say they are fairly equal tables. Comes down to looks ? I did have an issue with the a Lab 400 not playing nice with a Schiit Mani phono pre , muting circuit wouldn't operate properly when attached?? That aside I thought it sounded pretty much identical to a Technics SL-D2 table I had at same time.
 
Some really good insight. Thank you all. I made an offer on the 400 assuming the seller would send me video of it playing and the balance being moved back and forth so I would know both channels function.
 
Got beat to the Lab 400. Then found a Pioneer PL-518 and got beat to it also. I'm finding some SL 122 Mk2 tables but no one wants to let go for less than $450.00. I'm still wading through the broken downs and entry levels to try and find a sexy table to outshine the PL-S40, which is not a bad table, it's just a minivan of tables.
 
JRW said:
Got beat to the Lab 400. Then found a Pioneer PL-518 and got beat to it also. I'm finding some SL 122 Mk2 tables but no one wants to let go for less than $450.00. I'm still wading through the broken downs and entry levels to try and find a sexy table to outshine the PL-S40, which is not a bad table, it's just a minivan of tables.
Click to expand...
The Realistic would have been my choice. One thing to note, when the good deals come up you gotta move fast.

Mike
 
I'm learning that you can't dick around and over think it. I've found a really nice PL 600 DD that may be the ticket. I'm concerned about the full auto but seems to be working well.
 
Lavane said:
I bought a LAB 400 for my son and after playing it, I wanted to keep it. He has had it for a couple years new and it gets lots of use. He hasn't had a single problem with it. I really liked the Realistic branded Shure M91ED cartridge. It's a nice sounding TT. I had it apart, and it's easy to work on if ever needed. The platter was wobbly when I got it and after removing three screws. The motor came right out. It turned out to just be the mounting screws on the bottom of the motor housing were loose. I tightened them up and it's been rock solid ever since. It seems to be a solid built CEC turntable.
Click to expand...


AND it was a first year 400 with real walnut veneer! The only year for that.
 
JoeESP9 said:
I gave away a first year Lab-400. I sort of regret that now.
IIRC there was a sticker on the plinth that said "Real Walnut Veneer".
Click to expand...

I sold Lavane the one he is speaking about above. Only the first year had real walnut veneer.
 
Lavane said:
It's still his daily driver. I've let him use another more expensive TT, but he likes the 400. He prefers a full auto deck.
Click to expand...

I do as well but since I spin so little vinyl I just stick with my full manual Marantz 6150. It does not even have auto stop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom