Up for sale is a very clean Realistic LAB-500 fully automatic direct-drive turntable (Catalog No. 42-2970). This is one of Radio Shack’s best turntables from the early 1980s, custom manufactured in Japan by Mitsubishi. It features a stable quartz-locked direct drive system, smooth fully automatic operation, and excellent sound quality.

Key Features:

• Quartz-Locked Direct Drive for precise 33⅓ and 45 RPM speeds with very low wow & flutter

• Fully Automatic – auto start, auto return, auto lift, and repeat function

• R47XT moving magnet cartridge with elliptical stylus (installed and ready)

• Sturdy woodgrain plinth with clean lines

• Hinged clear dust cover

• Adjustable tracking force and anti-skate

• Cueing lever, strobe light, and pitch control

• Easy front-panel controls with Start/Stop and Up/Down cue buttons

Condition:

Excellent used condition. The turntable has been stored in a cool, dry area for the past several years. Cosmetically it looks very good with only light signs of normal use. The plinth, dust cover, platter, and controls are all clean. Everything has been tested and works perfectly — speed is rock-solid, auto functions operate smoothly, and the cartridge tracks well.

What’s Included:

• Realistic LAB-500 Turntable

• Original hinged dust cover

• Platter with mat

• R47XT cartridge with stylus

• Power cord

• RCA audio cables

This is a reliable, great-sounding turntable that performs well above its original price point. Many enthusiasts consider the LAB-500 one of the strongest Realistic models and a solid alternative to higher-end Japanese direct-drives of the era.