Looking for Turntable sugestions for 78's

[Jay Moore]

I am looking for a second turntable specifically to play some 78's I just found thrift shopping.

I currently have an sl-23 that I did a full recondition on and it's working really well for my 33 1/3s and my 45s. I don't want to mess with it.

I would like to have something that has variable speed control because 78's are not always recorded at 78 rpm, a removable head shell and prefer no digital out options to get in the way.

I would like to keep the purchase under $150.00

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! I don't mind looking for something used as well.

 

[guiller]

Welcome to AK! I wonder if you can find a Lenco L75 in your area. If you do, that is a great turntable for playing 78 rp, records, with a very heavy tonearm, a conidtion that most modern turntables capable of playing 78 rpm records do not fulfill.

 

[Zvezda]

I've been meaning to grab a Dual 1019 for exactly this purpose. Not nearly as expensive as the Lencos, Thorens, Garrard decks, but apparently has a very massive platter and a good tonearm. It's also compact so I would have room for it next to my Thorens belt drive.

 

[jusmee]

If you can find one in good condition, the Garrard 4HF is a very nice table for 78s. It has a speed control, but it can be faulty on older non-repaired units.

The need for variable speed is only for very early gramophone records btw.

 

[twiiii]

I owned both and preferred the 1229 . But for dependability I would look for a older Thorens. TD 121. Mine had this very arm before I up graded to a SME. You have to change the idler puck to the single speed you want. It does not allow multiple selection like the 124, But it performs almost as well, is dependable and once set up very easy to use. You'll need as special cartridge and arm to allow higher tracking pressure to get good contact with the grooves and to keep the stylus from hopping out of the groove. At the radio station we used Gray and other arms that were damped so the arm would not get away from the DJ when he was in a hurry or back cuing. And yes in the early 60's we were still using a 78 rpm record now and then when playing oldies.

 

[sKiZo]

Veteran of a high school AV department. No pitch control, but as previously mentioned, not an issue with most 78's. This one uses a flip needle so it's good for all speeds, and has surprisingly good sound.

 

[sregor]

Miracord - 650 or 660H 10 inch platter, or any full sized platter with pitch contrl (10 to 50H ii or750,,760, 770H)
Some models may not have pitch control YMMV
Lenco, Dual 1009 (the one wiith pitch control) or 1019 also good choices.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Veteran of a high school AV department. No pitch control, but as previously mentioned, not an issue with most 78's. This one uses a flip needle so it's good for all speeds, and has surprisingly good sound.

And those 89T cartridges are pricey, and need replacement every time the stylus dies. And for LP discs, not recommended. And 89T new old stock with a 78 needle are fetching higher prices. And getting scarce. 89T is getting scarcer. Suggestion, buy an Audio-Technica AT LP120USB and a 78 stylus. It also has plenty of pitch control range. And is a good all around bet. The Duals and ELAC/Miracords also take proprietary cartridge mounts, and they're not cheap. Also, their variable pitch may be limiting. Double your money for 78 capable at minimum and be prepared to do USB if you want SME type headshells as an option.

 

[AdamAnt316]

To me, something like a Dual 1019/1218/1219/1229 or an ELAC Miracord 40/50 would probably suffice for most of your 78RPM needs. I've used my Dual 1219 to play a few 78s, and it performed with aplomb even though I wasn't using a dedicated 3mil stylus. The 1218 in particular shouldn't be too hard to find for a good price, and uses the same cartridge sled as the rest of the non-ULM 1200 series.

 

[FONSguy]

Even an old Garrard 40B might do.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Problem with the Garrard 40B, few cartridges made today which work well with that arm. Remember, it's high mass, and 2.5 grams is the lightest it will track at under perfect conditions (meaning overhauled). And the Garrard C3 cartridge carriers are proprietary and pricey today. And 99% of the Garrards, the Duals, the ELAC/Miracords all need overhauled. And sometimes $35 rebuilt idler wheels. And Garrard and ELAC/Miracord cartridge mounts are also proprietary, expensive (as in $35-$60 each). Our poster also specifically needs pitch control (and the Dual lacks enough pitch control range for his needs).

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I owned both and preferred the 1229 . But for dependability I would look for a older Thorens. TD 121. You have to change the idler puck to the single speed you want. It does not allow multiple selection like the 124, But it performs almost as well, is dependable and once set up very easy to use. You'll need as special cartridge and arm to allow higher tracking pressure to get good contact with the grooves and to keep the stylus from hopping out of the groove. At the radio station we used Gray and other arms that were damped so the arm would not get away from the DJ when he was in a hurry or back cuing. And yes in the early 60's we were still using a 78 rpm record now and then when playing oldies.

While nice, the turntable is over 5 times his budget, the tonearm another 5 times his budget, those headshells are severely rare. And he needs to be able to play at 90 RPM when needed. Our poster is wanting to play really early, pre 1932 discs before speed standardization as one of his options. The Audio-Technica AT PL-120 USB is the cheapest turntable (at more than his $150 budget) which does what he wants, and offers easy to get standard headshells. Which I think he is alluding to about headshells. Lenco L 75 is about the only idler drive option with enough pitch range for his needs. And that is around triple his budget (and the stock arm headshells, proprietary and costly).

 

[Jay Moore]

I really appreciate all the info provided! I went through all the suggestions and looked at pricing, availability, reviews elsewhere and I think upping the budget and picking up the AT is going to be the best choice at this time. The Thorens looks nice but way too much money to get the Boss's permission and the others are plentiful in mediocre condition and way too much $$$ in great shape when compared to a new turntable with a warranty.

 

[Jay Moore]

Is the preamp in the PL-120 USB bypassed completely when disabled? That's my only concern. I see where people have disabled it physically.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

It's OK when shut off. Some bypass it. I'd keep it in case you want to digitize records. Check and make sure there's a 78 RPM stylus for the AT 95e this turntable comes with.

 

[Jay Moore]

Looks like there is indeed a 78 RPM stylus available for around $30.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Then you should be good to go, enjoy!

 

[gadget73]

Garrard RC98 is another option with speed control. Its also a changer. Chunky arm so you'll want a cartrige that can suffer the weight. I run an old GE RPX on my RC88 for 78 duty. The 88 and the 98 are very similar other than the speed control.

 

[stereofisher]

To me, something like a Dual 1019/1218/1219/1229 or an ELAC Miracord 40/50 would probably suffice for most of your 78RPM needs. I've used my Dual 1219 to play a few 78s, and it performed with aplomb even though I wasn't using a dedicated 3mil stylus. The 1218 in particular shouldn't be too hard to find for a good price, and uses the same cartridge sled as the rest of the non-ULM 1200 series.

The only thing to be aware of on Duals is on 78 the arm on auto return move VERY fast. I set up a 1219 for 78s for my friends record store. Worked well enough but the arm really moves very fast. I have a 1219 on the bench where to auto return isn’t working. I think if I were to play 78s I would remove the stuerpimple or clutch and make it manual.

I did pick up a Garrard Zero 92. Unlike the my Zero 100 it will play 78s. Just fixed the arm on it. Needs a complete degreasing. That can be a challenge. Might be ok on 78s. Unlike Duals, I have just started playing with these. Stay tuned. It might meet your budget.

 

[AdamAnt316]

The only thing to be aware of on Duals is on 78 the arm on auto return move VERY fast. I set up a 1219 for 78s for my friends record store. Worked well enough but the arm really moves very fast. I have a 1219 on the bench where to auto return isn’t working. I think if I were to play 78s I would remove the stuerpimple or clutch and make it manual.

I did pick up a Garrard Zero 92. Unlike the my Zero 100 it will play 78s. Just fixed the arm on it. Needs a complete degreasing. That can be a challenge. Might be ok on 78s. Unlike Duals, I have just started playing with these. Stay tuned. It might meet your budget.

That's typical of many record changers (and automatic single-play turntables) set up to play 78s, since the automatic mechanism is governed by the platter speed. My first 'real' turntable was a Garrard 730m changer, and its tonearm would move disconcertingly fast at the beginning or end of record sides. Older changers from the 78RPM-only era might've been geared diferently to move slower, but by the time 33 and 45RPM records became prevalent, things were rejiggered to favor the slower speeds.
-Adam