KAB SL1200 w/ 78 mod. See KAB website.
78 RPM turntable
I just recently bought a truck load of old 78s from an estate sale. I haven't had the time to even go through them yet. The ones I have are in mint condition. I mean thick records that you could hit someone over their head and not even break them. My problem is finding a turntable that will play these 78s as well as 33s. Anybody have any suggestions?
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A suprising number of the Thorens turntables over the years have had 78rpm capability, including some of their more reasonably-priced models . . . this is true in their current line as well. Keep in mind that you will need a different stylus than you'll normally use for vinyl records. Also, you can indeed break the thickest of 78s with a good impact to somebody's head . . . I'm thinking of a Patrick Swayze movie about record collectors . . . |
Lots of table options if you look to the used market. But also consider that those 78s are not only mono but were cut with a wider groove (3.0 mil typical). So a dedicated 78 cartridge will benefit your listening. Next is EQ. A wide range of compensation was used by different labels prior to approval of the RIAA curve in 1955 (and even after that on LPs for some labels). So an older preamp or new accessory device with variable EQ may also improve your listening. Lastly, be aware that not all 78s were recorded at 78 RPM so a table with adjustable speed may be needed. I think this will be more true for records recorded before the mid-30s than later. The point of all this is to suggest more research on your part is needed. Good luck and have fun. |
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This one! They list at $400 and are well-reviewed at that price. Plus, it has a +/- 20% speed adjustment, which could adjust for the wide variety of mastering speeds on old 78s. The detachable headshell makes it easy to switch between a 78 and an LP cartridge. Plenty good for 78s and not bad for LPs either. |
A Lenco idler drive turntable is a good choice because many 78s were not recorded at 78 rpm, but anywhere between around 60 to 90 plus rpm. The idler drive Lencos have a continuously variable speed between 33 rpm up to around 90 rpm. However, they are also something of a DIY project because they sound best modified and placed in a heavy plinth. If you are willing to do this, the Lenco models to be on the lookout for are L70, L75, L78, L88 and L99 (in Great Britain these models come with a GL prefix rather than L). If you are not willing to do DIY then a KAB 1200 which has been modified for 78 replay is a very good choice. A couple other things to be aware of: 1) as Pryso has pointed out, 78s have varying EQs depending on the recording company, and, in some cases, on when it was manufactured, as some companies changed their equalization over time. This means that you need to have a separate preamp which has those varying EQ curves. 2) the specifications for 78 records in terms of inner groove diameter are different from LPs. Specifically, for 12" records, the outermost modulated groove diameter (where the music actually is engraved) is 146 mm for both LPs and 78s (aka SP = standard play), but the innermost modulated groove for LPs is either 60 or 58 mm (depending on the specification) whereas the innermost modulated groove for SPs is 48 mm. This means for a pivoted tonearm, that for lowest distortion using the Baerwald equations,the cartridge needs to be aligned differently for SPs vs. LPs. For LPs (assuming 60 mm inner groove), the alignment null points - where the stylus is directly in line with the groove) are 66 mm and 121 mm, whereas for SPs the alignment null points are 53.2 mm and 112.4 mm. Thus, if you want to play both LPs and SPs on the same turntable and arm, you will want a detachable headshell arm with separate cartridges for 33 and 78 rpm, because even if you have a cartridge that has separate styli for 33 and 78, you will still have to re-align the cartridge for lowest distortion when you switch between the two. Furthermore, you will need to use a headshell with screw slots rather than holes because the 33 and 78 cartridges will sit at slightly different angles in the headshell due to the differing alignment requirements. So for best results you cannot simply swap styli on the same cartridge and reset the stylus downforce (which is usually substantially higher for 78s than for LPs, say 4-6 grms for 78s vs. 1-3 for most modern cartridges playing LPs). |
01-15-09: OregonI don't think getting a Lenco and restoring it is simple. Neither is getting and restoring a Thorens TD124 or any number of other 30+ year-old rim drive alternatives. Getting a current production Audio-Technica AT-PL120 for $219 new with warranty delivered to your door is simple. Plus it can play a 78 back at anything from 65 to 93.6 rpm. Did I mention that it has interchangeable headshells? I'm sure a restored Lenco plays back 78s wonderfully, but finding, buying, and restoring one is not simple. |
01-17-09: Casey33Good answer. Califone still makes 'em, available from Needle Doctor. Of course, they're more than $2. There are also vendors online who sell used and refurbished ones in the $40-50 range. |