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A difficult LP reproduction question

I have a nice high end system and wish to add a second turntable (for fun!). The choices are likely Thorens TD124MK ll or Lenco L75. Both these are old technology and will spin 78 RPM and use idler drive.

Desire is to experiment with moving magnet cartridge, inexpensive phono stages and 78 RPM records to name but a few.

Here are but a few of the economy priced phono stages that I've been researching for the past three weeks. (Hope that explains my lack of posting lately).

Seduction
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/Seduction/seduction.htm

EAR 834P Deluxe
http://www.ear-usa.com/earproducts.htm

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE
http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ALEHBCPLUS

Antique Soundlab Mini
http://www.divertech.com/aslminiphono.htm

Musical Fidelity X-LPSv3
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/xponframeset.html

NAD PP2
http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_amplifiers/pp2_closerlook.htm

Any Audiogon member that have direct experience with any combination of these, I would appreciate your comments.
albertporter
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
78 reproduction needs different RIAA curves than 33 LP reprodution. Aren't there special phono pre pre's that have those special curves available in them?
Somewhere I was reading an advertisement for such a pre pre... but that was a few years ago...
I would think the Bottlehead KIT would be the best as the RIAA part could be modified??? to suite various 78 playback curves, as it is an open, descrete design. Perhaps even adding a selector, to choose instantly which curve you desire... (perhaps ask Bottlehead if they have any experience in adding this?)
albertporter's avatar
albertporter OP
4,927 posts
 
True Elizabeth. I found an article at Mechanical Music Digest™ Archives and hope there is some truth in it.

Don't forget that for playing 78 RPM records you will need a spherical stylus, not the elliptical type normally used for 33-1/3 LP's. The old 78 RPM groove was cut wide and the modern elliptical will not make contact with both the outer groove walls. Stanton, ADC, Shure and some others still have spherical styli for use in their cartridges.

The Shure styluses for 78s are also elliptical, but bigger than the styluses for 33/45. The elliptical shape gives a better fit in the groove. If you have an equalizer in your system, you can get some pretty fair reproduction from the old 78's. The RIAA equalization curve did not come into play until the first LP's.

However, the only result of using RIAA is a bit of bass boost. Provided there is no bass feedback, I find most 78s sound fine played with the LP equalization.

I think reproduction will be adequate for the small quantity of 78's I'm likely to purchase. This entire project is intended to be an experiment to see what I can get in terms of sound.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
I have heard favorable comment on a Radio Shack IC-based phono preamp kit costing about $10. It might do for your 78rpm adventure.
jphii
485 posts
 
I actually heard that Rat Shack thing. Believe it or not, you can't go wrong trying it. It's $25, special order off the website. But remember, MM only.
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