fondofmusic
Active Member
Hello all,
Off an on over the years I have collected vintage 78 albums, many of the 12 inch classical variety. Why is a good question but they have always fascinated me.
Obtaining a reliable turntable has always been my main problem but a few years ago due to the internet and groups like this one I was pointed in the direction of a couple turntables. My requirements were that it should be able to play all speeds well though quality amplifiers. That of course limited them to a rather short period of the late 50s to mid 60's for the most part.
The two I purchased ended up being the Elac H 50, a turntable I accidently stumbled on not even knowing what it was at a local action for a dollar.. The other I got though suggestions on the net from ebay, it being a Dual 1009. Both have fine sound. For some time I thought that the Elac cartridge was producing way too much surface noise and so I only tired it a few times as it had other issues as well. Recently however after having endless problems with the Dual 1009 not being able to change the records well took another look at the Elac. I have come to realize that the single spindle system, which granted it in hindsight not the best way to support a heavy stack of records has some real issues depending on design.. the dual was constantly refusing to drop records that had the slightest roughness to the center spindle hole due to the way the little arms have to move up and into that area to drop the records. Any bit of rough paper or damaged shellac would result in tipping of the stack knocking the arm off the platter and usually not changing the record. To my surprise when I finally got the nerve to clean up the Elac mechanism and give it another try, the spindle on it drops the straight down with little effort, sets I thought would not play automatically now do with ease. Only a really damaged center will cause it to fail to drop.. Bottom line is all designs are not the same and Elac seems to have won on the way they change the records.
I have however often thought that a changer that used the side support like a Garrard would be best suited for these type of albums. Trouble with that one is that I have acquired the 78 and LP stylus for both Dual and Elac and they each have fine cartridges. I rather hate to have to start over from that angle.
I am curious if others who would granted be a limited bunch probably on this site, have some changers they would suggest that fit the specifications of having all speeds and dependable changing systems. If nothing else I wanted to say that the Elac, (slight hum tendency and all) is by far the superior system for those who do collect and value early 78 speed albums.
Larry
Off an on over the years I have collected vintage 78 albums, many of the 12 inch classical variety. Why is a good question but they have always fascinated me.
Obtaining a reliable turntable has always been my main problem but a few years ago due to the internet and groups like this one I was pointed in the direction of a couple turntables. My requirements were that it should be able to play all speeds well though quality amplifiers. That of course limited them to a rather short period of the late 50s to mid 60's for the most part.
The two I purchased ended up being the Elac H 50, a turntable I accidently stumbled on not even knowing what it was at a local action for a dollar.. The other I got though suggestions on the net from ebay, it being a Dual 1009. Both have fine sound. For some time I thought that the Elac cartridge was producing way too much surface noise and so I only tired it a few times as it had other issues as well. Recently however after having endless problems with the Dual 1009 not being able to change the records well took another look at the Elac. I have come to realize that the single spindle system, which granted it in hindsight not the best way to support a heavy stack of records has some real issues depending on design.. the dual was constantly refusing to drop records that had the slightest roughness to the center spindle hole due to the way the little arms have to move up and into that area to drop the records. Any bit of rough paper or damaged shellac would result in tipping of the stack knocking the arm off the platter and usually not changing the record. To my surprise when I finally got the nerve to clean up the Elac mechanism and give it another try, the spindle on it drops the straight down with little effort, sets I thought would not play automatically now do with ease. Only a really damaged center will cause it to fail to drop.. Bottom line is all designs are not the same and Elac seems to have won on the way they change the records.
I have however often thought that a changer that used the side support like a Garrard would be best suited for these type of albums. Trouble with that one is that I have acquired the 78 and LP stylus for both Dual and Elac and they each have fine cartridges. I rather hate to have to start over from that angle.
I am curious if others who would granted be a limited bunch probably on this site, have some changers they would suggest that fit the specifications of having all speeds and dependable changing systems. If nothing else I wanted to say that the Elac, (slight hum tendency and all) is by far the superior system for those who do collect and value early 78 speed albums.
Larry
