Realistic Lab 440 vs Technics SL 23

[MCM_Fan]

MCM_Fan,

The SL-1200 is a baby Technics SP series turntable. Built for 18 hour a day use, easily built to be serviced and maintained (not a sealed motor). A trickle down studio machine. That is why I rated it better. And this is not dissing the LAB 440 (itself a very excellent CEC Japan made DD classic). The SL-1200 is fine enough, precision enough, and durable enough you'd never need any other turntable over your lifetime, it is that durable and reliable, and they perform to the highest studio standard in demanding environments.

I did not mean to imply, in any way, that the SL-1200 is not worthy of its legendary status. It has stood the test it time and is basically bullet proof. But, unless you get really lucky at a garage sale on Goodwill, it fetches prices appropriate for such a highly regarded, reliable, well built table.

But the OP wasn't really looking at choosing between an SL-1200 to a LAB 440. He's choosing between an SL-23 and LAB 440. I don't mean to assume, but for normal in home use, a LAB 440 should be plenty reliable, and in the case of the OP and many others, because it commands much lower prices, may be a better value than an SL-1200.

BTW, one of my future projects will be restoring a Rek O Kut B-12H with the huge Ashland motor. This is another heavy duty, commercial table that has stood the test of time. Do I need something with such a huge motor? Probably not. That Ashland looks like it could power a table saw - ok, probably not THAT big, but it's the biggest, most powerful motor I've ever seen on a turntable and probably overkill for my modest needs. Still, I love the looks of that table and I love restoring old things. So, why not? If an SL-1200 fell in my lap for the right price, I'd probably snatch that one up, too.

In the mean time, I'm happily spinning records on my LAB 440 and MCS 6601 every day. They have both proven to be reliable as heck and are very easy to set up and use.

 

[Collin1141]

Hi
I have recently adopted a new philosophy about turntables in general
If anything decent comes along that I can afford and it is complete with all it's parts and in nice condition I'm going to buy it
Like yard sales thrift stores and stuff
My thinking is that pretty soon there won't be anymore luxury of making a choice not for little money anyway
I'm talking little money type deals like tables for less than a hundred dollars
Just look at what pretty junky new tables cost
If the Realistic is something you can afford buy it!
You can always decide later whether to keep it or not

 

[dpg3]

Thanks everyone for your replies and I was leaning towards the Lab 440 since it's cost was a fraction of the Sl-1200 Mk2. But I waited too long and it is gone, you snooze you lose. I did go look at a couple of SL 1200 MK2 yesterday but the owner would only sell them as a pair. There is another SL 1200 MK2 for sale locally but the price is out of my range.

 

[dpg3]

Is it true that there is now a tonearm lift available for the SL 1200 MK2, so that at the end of the record the tonearm will be lifted?

 

[bolero]

Is it true that there is now a tonearm lift available for the SL 1200 MK2, so that at the end of the record the tonearm will be lifted?

that would be great!

I sold my 1200 because it was too annoying not to have auto-lift.

at the time I didn't see anything available

 

[KentTeffeteller]

For auto lift, you get the SL-1200's automatic brethren. The SL-1600 gets you full automatic. The SL-1700 gets you auto-return. Better than clumsy add on lifts.

 

[dpg3]

that would be great!

I sold my 1200 because it was too annoying not to have auto-lift.

at the time I didn't see anything available

Here is a picture of it that I found on Ebay, and it's very inexpensive!!
Technics Arm Lift for Technics 1200, SL1210 MK 2 3 5 LTD GLD part SFPRT18201K

 

[dpg3]

For auto lift, you get the SL-1200's automatic brethren. The SL-1600 gets you full automatic. The SL-1700 gets you auto-return. Better than clumsy add on lifts.

But if you already have a SL -1200 or live in an area like I do where not many of these TT are for sale, it's a nice option to have. Having said that I think if I could get a SL-1700 for a good price that would be ideal.

 

[MCM_Fan]

Thanks everyone for your replies and I was leaning towards the Lab 440 since it's cost was a fraction of the Sl-1200 Mk2. But I waited too long and it is gone, you snooze you lose. I did go look at a couple of SL 1200 MK2 yesterday but the owner would only sell them as a pair. There is another SL 1200 MK2 for sale locally but the price is out of my range.

Sorry to hear you missed put on the LAB-440. It's a nice table and usually priced very reasonably - when you can find one.

 

[dpg3]

Sorry to hear you missed put on the LAB-440. It's a nice table and usually priced very reasonably - when you can find one.

I was wavering back and forth on a few tables and of course waited too long and it was very reasonably priced.

 

[bolero]

Here is a picture of it that I found on Ebay, and it's very inexpensive!!
Technics Arm Lift for Technics 1200, SL1210 MK 2 3 5 LTD GLD part SFPRT18201K

View attachment 942274

I don't think that is an "auto-lift" part, it's just a replacement for the existing arm lift on the 1200 ?

 

[Collin1141]

There are several nice lifts available but they are expensive like the ones from Expressimo Audio and a nice looking Japanese made unit called "The Little Fwend"
If you keep a sharp look out you will see Audio-Technica 6006 "Safety Lifts" come up for sale from time to time both new and used
There are also those spring loaded things that are clones of the old Thorens lift
None of them are without flaw

 

[dpg3]

There are several nice lifts available but they are expensive like the ones from Expressimo Audio and a nice looking Japanese made unit called "The Little Fwend"
If you keep a sharp look out you will see Audio-Technica 6006 "Safety Lifts" come up for sale from time to time both new and used
There are also those spring loaded things that are clones of the old Thorens lift
None of them are without flaw

Thanks so much for the info, I appreciate it.