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Turntable for 78 rpm...

S

stevem5000

Active Member
I have a JVC JL-F50 with an DL-110 cartridge...Satisfied with it...
Primary use is digitizing LP's into CD's...I do LOT of it...convert entire LP collections...Retirement hobby...

Client has about 3-400 78 RPM records he wants me to convert...My JVC is only 33/45...so I need a
78 RPM turntable and cartridge suitable for 78 RPM...

I found a Stanton STR8-80 which plays all 3 speeds and a variable adjustment because many older 78 RPM records were not recorded at 78 rpm... with an extra head so I thought I would get it...drop my DL-110 cart on one head and some suitable cart for 78 rpm on the other head...get rid of my JVC...

Reading up on the Stanton...the short 8" tonearm is a concern...tracking...excessive wear on the grooves...etc...

So...since I really don't have space for a 2ed TT...I am looking for a decent quality 3 speed TT...direct drive...
At least as good as my JVC...that I can replace the head to accomodate a couple of cartridges...

Any suggestions...budget around $250 or so...

Thanks for you help...
Steve
 
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The only company making budget direct-drives with 78 rpm capability is Hanpin Electron, and you can see their stuff in rebadged form offered by companies like Audio Technica and Stanton. I recommend a Google search. For $250, your options are definitely limited, though you do have options.
 
Some Technics direct drive turntables can be modified to play at 78 by adding a switch which changes the resistance in the speed circuit. I did this to a couple of SL-1650s and an SL-5350. There is a thread around here on how to do it. When the switch is on 45 goes 78. Switch off, 45 goes at 45. 78s sound great on my turntables with a Shure M78s cartridge. Also, after ripping to a computer I use Click Repair. It is amazing what it can go to records with clicks, pops and scratches in them. It's really good for fixing mono records if you rip them using a stereo cartridge. It is able to compare music in both channels and get rid of anything just in one channel.
 
A modified Technics is a great route to go but I'm not sure on the price of those, the only 78s that aren't actually at 78rpm are the acoustic era which is pre-1925. So unless you're getting into those, I really wouldn't worry about speed adjustment IMO. I would absolutely avoid the Shure M78S cart/stylus. I have one and other than on great condition 50's era records it's horribly noisy, it sits too low in the groove due to its size. I use a Shure M44 cart with an Esoteric Rek-O-Kut 3.0 mil stylus. There are some other threads on here about 78 carts/styli that should help out, I've been through several combinations and I find what I use now is the best for me in the price range.
 
Hi,

It's a strange idea. Just get a 78 cartridge for your JVC. Transfer them to PC at 45 rpm.
Then speed them up back to 78 *, though if you don't have perfect pitch I've no idea
how you can compensate for non 78 speed, even with your original idea.

Even if you have perfect pitch be careful, some stuff is purposefully not in tune,
and some stuff uses dropped tunings, or deliberate slow detuning of the piece.

rgds, sreten.

* TBH I've no idea what software can do this, but I'm sure it very much exists.
 
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The Citronic PD-2s turntable from the U.K. is excellent for 78 RPM playback. I use a vintage Pickering cartridge with a new 78 stylus from Esoteric. Speed can be increased or decreased for some of the odd-ball shellac record labels.
 
funny you considered the STR-80

I picked one up from the local thrift intending to use it for 78s but was dissuaded when I read up on the arm...

I wonder if it really matters though when dealing with those wide grooves and larger stylus profiles.


I settled on an Elac XS-200 and am loving the sound I get.
 
A used Audio technica LP120 or PL120 should be good enough. Bypass the internal RIAA and apply correct equalization on PC.

For cartridge Stanton 500 with appropriate stylus from esoteric or Audio-Technica AT3/SP should all fit within budget.
 
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