Pioneer PL-600 (direct drive) vs Realistic LAB 400

[scribby31]

Any advise on whether the Pioneer PL-600 would be a better turntable than my current Realistic LAB 400.
I'm speaking about the goof PL-600, not the cheap one that came out later.

 

[mythless]

I would say so, having the VTA adjustment makes quite the difference. I think the plinth is heavier and so is the platter, not to mention it does have quartz lock and a "newer" motor in terms of design. However, it's far more electronically complex, IIRC and more difficult to repair when things go in comparison to the LAB-400. But, I also like the LAB-400 due to it's simplistic nature and easy to work on. I guess it would depend on the overall condition of the PL-600.

 

[dmckean]

It's probably better but it will probably need work. The belt that controls the automatic features will probably need replaced and all the contacts on the buttons will need cleaned. And you do realize that the PL-600 is a suspended table, right? The springs should also be looked at.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Hi I had one and liked it. My only complaint was the cheepish phono cables which I'd change. Former member Hakaplan did a photo essay on how to replace the audio cables.

I did a search for you and here is the link...........
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...ble-interconnects-rewire.114883/#post-1202658

 

[Gibsonian]

think the 600 would be an upgrade. The VTA adjustment alone makes it a much sweeter deal as mythless has pointed out. New belt, cleaning switches, super easy stuff.

 

[ETI_5000]

The PL-600 is significantly heavier, has better specifications, has extra facilities such as being fully automatic (versus semi-auto) and having quartz locked speed, and probably cost quite a lot more when new. So it should be a worthwhile upgrade, if in good working condition, with no major problems.

 

[mythless]

Minor correction, the LAB-400 is fully automatic as well.

 

[Van_Isle]

I'm not sure of any specific common issues with the LAB 400 ... but it's very common for the rubber isolators / spring boots on the PL-600 to be deteriorated. Also the tonearm belt typically needs replacing. Something to check if you are looking at one.

 

[Daunia 70]

The Pioneer would be a nice upgrade.

 

[ETI_5000]

Minor correction, the LAB-400 is fully automatic as well.

Correction noted - all members please ignore the bit about the Lab 400 being semi-auto in my previous post. I should have had a look at the Lab 400 service manual, which was on my PC hard drive, before answering.

 

[scribby31]

That's for the feedback!

One other question....any recommendation for a cartridge for the PL-600?

 

[Stanton681EEES]

I used mine with a Nagaoka MP 11 an Ortofon FF15XEMKII and they both sounded good. I hated the ShureM97XE with the stock cables but it sounded better once I upped the capacitance of the cables but it was my least favorite with that table...............

 

[mkane]

91e

 

[jasonsong86]

PL-600 is about as good as automatics goes unless you go with an servo arm. The automatic mechanism is separated from the platter so there is no complicated linkages that can create drag. The position of the arm is also fully optical so during playing, there is no external resistance to mess up skating force.
I've personally restored my PL-600 and it's much much easier to do because of the simplicity of the arm drive mechanism.

 

[jasonsong86]

I'm not sure of any specific common issues with the LAB 400 ... but it's very common for the rubber isolators / spring boots on the PL-600 to be deteriorated. Also the tonearm belt typically needs replacing. Something to check if you are looking at one.

There are other things like the plastic on the pivot can crack causing the rod to slip inside the cam that moves the arm. It's not a big deal. Nothing a drop of super glue can't fix.
Regarding the rubber, mine was all bad so what I did was I wrapped thin foam strips around the springs to dampen the oscillation. I find springy oscillation of the platter is worse than a rigid one.

 

[Van_Isle]

Regarding a cartridge, one has to ask what your budget is.