Should I upgrade my turntable?


I am actually happy with my Realisic Lab 400 with a denon Dl 160 cartridge. It is the best I have had but I really havent had a lot. Do you think one of the newer MusicHall or entry level offerings would better the sound. Supposedly the Lab 400 was the best radio shack made(and I dont know if that says alot). I have around $250 to spend if it might improve my system any. New or used dont matter to me
davidnboone
I still have a Reference by Quadraflex that looks really similar to your Realitics Labs, and I can tell you that when I sold a turntable a few months ago and waited for the new one to come in I took my cartridge (Sumiko Blackbird) and replaced the Shure 104e that was on the Reference and it made a HUGE improvement. I used the old turntable quite happily for a while.

In that timeframe I also bought a Bang and Olefson Beogram 8002 and although it could have used some work, I was really happy with the sound of it as well.

Maybe a new cartridge and/or some slight upgrades and you could get 95% of what new rigs do?

That said, I have helped quite a few friends get into vinyl the last few years with the Project turntables, and the lower level Rega's and it has worked out great for all. I love the entry level Project, I think it sounds great.
Love what you got, you won't get anywhere meaningful with $250. Have fun listening to music, isn't that what it is all about?