FR Drew
Not a custom title.
Lab 420 seems like it's a decent deck (I have to admit I cringed when I saw the name Realistic). My guess is that the cartridge is at the end of its life. You may be able to get a replacement stylus for it, depends a lot on how much you are willing to pay. I expect that grabbing a decent new MM cartridge would do wonders for your sound quality.
Prior to my most recent upgrade to a nice MC cartridge, I was using a Shure m97XE. Not in moving coil territory, but no slouch either.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-M97XE?sc=2&category=402
Make sure that you buy an alignment gauge so that you can get it properly set up for minimal tracking error and if you have a stylus balance for checking downforce, I'd use that as well.
Same place also selling Ortofon 2M Red at 100 bucks. Again, well worth a look.
Prior to my most recent upgrade to a nice MC cartridge, I was using a Shure m97XE. Not in moving coil territory, but no slouch either.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-M97XE?sc=2&category=402
Make sure that you buy an alignment gauge so that you can get it properly set up for minimal tracking error and if you have a stylus balance for checking downforce, I'd use that as well.
Same place also selling Ortofon 2M Red at 100 bucks. Again, well worth a look.
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