78 setup?

Patrick Dimd

Patrick Dimd

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All of the threads on this are old so I decided to start a new one.

I am looking to set up a dedicated 78 turntable. I don't want to drop a ton of money into it as I would like to upgrade my regular turntable as well. I'm hoping to run it through my existing setup which is a Sansui. 3500 driving a pair of klipsch Heresy 1's. My current table is a Sony pst3. (I know I need an upgrade but it works and plays beautifully) It does not give me the option to play 78s even with a different stylus so hence my reasoning for looking into a dedicated 78 TT.

I live on the Central Coast of California.

Any suggestions on a a suitable TT and stylus would be appreciated
 
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Patrick Dimd said:
I am looking to set up a dedicated 78 turntable. I don't want to drop a ton of money into it as I would like to upgrade my regular turntable as well. I'm hoping to run it through my existing setup which is a Sansui. 3500 driving a pair of klipsch Heresy 1's. My current table is a Sony pst3.
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The easiest way to get into 78's is to buy a record changer from the 1960's, almost all played 78 rpm records. There are quite a few brands and models, but I own several Elac Miracords simply because they needed little routine maintenance to get them up and running.

Patrick Dimd said:
(I know I need an upgrade but it works and plays beautifully)
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nothing wrong with the Sony PS-T3, just keep it maintained and tuned, it will sound as good as any hi-end turntable.
 
malden said:
The easiest way to get into 78's is to buy a record changer from the 1960's, almost all played 78 rpm records. There are quite a few brands and models, but I own several Elac Miracords simply because they needed little routine maintenance to get them up and running.


nothing wrong with the Sony PS-T3, just keep it maintained and tuned, it will sound as good as any hi-end turntable.
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Thank you for the advice. My wife and I bought the house that her grandfather built by himself. He was a cabinet maker. And also a audio file as I am learning more each day. It's been a bit of a treasure hunt, finding bits and pieces of his old equipment. I am a accomplished Finnish Carpenter myself and have a true appreciation for the work that he did. One of the things of his that is left is an extensive collection of 78 s. I think it would be fitting to fill the house again with his music.
 
Wow does that ever sound like a cool opportunity... what type of 78's are they?

To further add to the confusion what about a Garrard Type A? Readily available, new idlers available, extra head shells aren't too pricey. They were made for stacking 78s! Very gentle stacking mechanism, love mine. Lots of cartridge options for 78s but I've had the most fun playing 78s with period correct cartridges, your mileage may vary.

Surprised nobody had told you that you NEED a variable EQ -- you don't but if you go further down this road you might have fun researching one.
 
Patrick Dimd said:
I am looking to set up a dedicated 78 turntable. I don't want to drop a ton of money into it as I would like to upgrade my regular turntable as well.
Click to expand...

If you buy a Technics SP-10 mk II you've got a 78, 45 and 33.3 player, plus all the upgrade you'll ever need over the Sony. They're costly, depending on your point of view, or how much luck you have with prices, but so is buying two new turntables just to cover 78, 45 and 33.3 rpm. Obviously there are other very worthy 3-speed players as well, and some of the idler drive models might be worth looking into. But (only exaggerating slightly) no one ever complained about a properly working SP10.
 
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True of course, but I thought $1000+, being only a little beyond US Rega Planar 3 prices, might be a more realistic option than $10,000+. The SP10 MK II is affordable to just about anyone who wants one, with sufficient willpower, but the new SP10 and its variants, not really. At list price, the cheapest of the new SP10s is $11,500. That $1500 into the five-figure range covers an SP10 MKII.
 
Patrick Dimd said:
. . . I am looking to set up a dedicated 78 turntable. I don't want to drop a ton of money into it as I would like to upgrade my regular turntable as well. I'm hoping to run it through my existing setup which is a Sansui. 3500 driving a pair of klipsch Heresy 1's. My current table is a Sony pst3. (I know I need an upgrade but it works and plays beautifully) It does not give me the option to play 78s even with a different stylus so hence my reasoning for looking into a dedicated 78 TT.
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One option is an AT-LP120XUSB ($349). Its stock VM95E cartridge can accept the VMN95SP stylus ($59) for playing 78's. I don't know how many phono inputs your Sansui 3500 has, but the LP120XUSB has a built-in phono stage so it could go directly into any available line input, too. I've been very happy with inexpensive direct drive turntables for playing 78's; both this AT and a Stanton STR8-80 worked well for me.
 
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Not solely to add 78, no. The OP expressed an intention to upgrade his existing player later: my suggestion is to take care of it all in one go and get a rather fine turntable at the same time. Doing it his way is going to cost a few hundred dollars to acquire 78 capability and a further few hundred (minimum) to achieve an upgrade over the Sony.

My alternative: do it once and be done with it. The SP10 is a good candidate for custom plinths, so a nice future project for a carpenter. Also can be a two arm platform, etc. for anyone who wants to get fancy with mono carts, mono-wired arms and the like.

At a lower cost, the SP-15 is another possibility worth a look.
 
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Panamafred said:
Wow does that ever sound like a cool opportunity... what type of 78's are they?

To further add to the confusion what about a Garrard Type A? Readily available, new idlers available, extra head shells aren't too pricey. They were made for stacking 78s! Very gentle stacking mechanism, love mine. Lots of cartridge options for 78s but I've had the most fun playing 78s with period correct cartridges, your mileage may vary.

Surprised nobody had told you that you NEED a variable EQ -- you don't but if you go further down this road you might have fun researching one.
Click to expand...
I just wanted to add to your point of new idlers for the Type A.

I've used my Type A for 78s (with a Shure sc35c) for over a decade. Several weeks ago, however, I installed AudioVault's idler and spindle bearing kit. I am loving them! Even though my ears aren't skilled enough to notice a night-and-day difference, the Garrard definitely spins more smoothly and quietly. Most important, they give me the confidence that it will run well for many years to come!
 
I am also in the market for a new turntable for serious 78rpm listening. The Audio Technica LP-140XP at $499 has been at the top of my list. At #2 is the Technics sl-1200mk7. Right now it's a question of how much money I am willing to spend. I've lived with vintage gear my entire life, so I'm attracted to the possibility of purchasing a well-made new unit.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these?

The most important factor for me is variable pitch control. The AT does have a wider range (24% plus/minus).

But before you do anything, the ability to adjust for different EQs is crucial. I recommend the Rek-O-Kut Ultra pre-amp from Esoteric Sound as a low-cost, entry-level option. Though it has a limited selection of bass turnover and treble rolloff, it will serve well for most commonly available discs. It also doubles as a really nice RIAA preamp as well.
 
teasch1932 said:
I am also in the market for a new turntable for serious 78rpm listening. The Audio Technica LP-140XP at $499 has been at the top of my list. At #2 is the Technics sl-1200mk7. Right now it's a question of how much money I am willing to spend. I've lived with vintage gear my entire life, so I'm attracted to the possibility of purchasing a well-made new unit.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these?

The most important factor for me is variable pitch control. The AT does have a wider range (24% plus/minus).

But before you do anything, the ability to adjust for different EQs is crucial. I recommend the Rek-O-Kut Ultra pre-amp from Esoteric Sound as a low-cost, entry-level option. Though it has a limited selection of bass turnover and treble rolloff, it will serve well for most commonly available discs. It also doubles as a really nice RIAA preamp as well.
Click to expand...

Audio Technica LP-140XP is lost money. Get Technics. All Technics has 78rpm now. And keep in mind for 78rpm there are different curves, not RIAA,. Some are close, so you will not hear difference, but other are very different.
 
radiokom said:
Audio Technica LP-140XP is lost money. Get Technics. All Technics has 78rpm now. And keep in mind for 78rpm there are different curves, not RIAA,. Some are close, so you will not hear difference, but other are very different.
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I've heard people say similar things about the LP-140XP. Saving up for the Technics seems to be a smarter move.
 
A great 78 system need not cost $1000.
There exists plenty of vintage goodies for much less. If u don't like vintage record changers, vintage manual tables are awaiting you.
I use vintage Lenco and Fons manual tables. Lencos are idler driven. The Fons CQ30 is belt driven. Both have sufficient speed adjustments.

78s are easy to make good sound.
My V-M or Webcor record changers are also excellent for 78s. You can always catch the disc with your fingers, as it drops, gently bringing it to the platter.

Surely, you will want a period correct cartridge, like the GE RPX or VRII carts.
The RPX was Thee phono cart which ushered in the post WWII, home HiFi movement. Styli are still easily and reasonably procured. Hear the music the way the period musicians did.

What steps up 78 playback is a preamp which has varying phono playback curves. AES, NAB, RIAA playback EQ are essential. Music from 1955 forward should be RIAA capable.

Additionally, the 800Hz Phono EQ Playback curve can help the earliest 78s, the acoustically recorded discs, pre-1925, sound more interesting.
 
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Thank you! One and all for your advice and suggestions. I am not looking to spend anywhere close to $1,000. I have recently purchased a tape deck and a CD player which have opened a large portion of my music library. So for now I am content with what I have. I will continue as I always have to keep my eyes open and when the opportunity presents itself I will invest the money and time to this endeavor.
 
I second finding an ELAC Miracord turntable Or a Dual. Either of them can play 78’s.. purchase a dedicated 78 cartridge. The only issue is that old 78 rpm discs were not recorded using RIAA equalization curves. So using a built in phono stage or normal external phone stage will change the sound as they will have RIAA equalization curves.
 
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