Released in 1978 by Radio Shack under their Realistic house brand, the Lab-400 was a fully automatic direct-drive turntable. Manufactured in Japan by C.E.C. (Chuo Denki), it featured a 16-pole brushless DC servo motor, a separate tonearm motor, and a walnut veneer base, earning a lasting reputation as a vintage audio hidden gem.
 
Origins and Manufacturing
Radio Shack Branding: Marketed under the Realistic name as the finest turntable Radio Shack had offered at the time.
OEM Production: Built in Japan by C.E.C., a prominent contract manufacturer that built high-value decks for multiple major hi-fi brands of the era.
Market Position: Aimed at budget-conscious audiophiles, undercutting higher-priced specialist brands while offering comparable performance.
 
Technical Specs and Design
Drive System: 16-pole brushless DC servo motor providing direct drive with 0.03% wow and flutter and rumble below -63dB.
Dual Motor Automation: Equipped with a completely independent DC motor dedicated solely to the smooth operation of the S-shaped tonearm.
Platter and Controls: Features a dynamically balanced 3.1-pound aluminum platter, pitch controls with a neon-illuminated strobe, and automatic record repeat.
 
Current model is in near pristine state.