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Tonearms for reference 78 RPM system Technics SP-10R

Seeking some feedback from all of you audio experts on a quandry I'm finding myself in as I build a new reference-level system. I specialize in transfer and restoration of 78 RPM records from the 1920s. While they don't exactly have the frequency range of modern LPs, I'm sure they still benefit from a good system. Assume the rest of my setup is as optimal as it can be with respect to components.

78s require numerous cartridges with swappable stylii in a range from 1.5 to 4 mil. I have a few different carts: Shure M44, Shure M75, Shure V15 mk Vx. They need a medium mass arm and usually track between 2.5 and 4 grams, usually around 3. The stylii are medium to low compliance.

I prefer using a 12" arm or something that mounts far enough away to be able to play 16" records. I also need to be able to adjust the arm height, ideally being able to raise the arm above the spindle to recenter records that are pressed off-center.

I've been debating for the last week what to do about a tonearm. I hate to have to upgrade again someday, but I don't exactly have 10 grand lying around to drop on the best. I could probably do it if I sell of a lot of things and live like a pauper, relatively speaking, for a while. I'm considering the following:

SME 3012-R: Relatively easy to find, medium price ~$2k, would fit on my plinth's armboard without re-drilling holes.
SME 312S: Will need to wait months for one to turn up on the used market or pay a crazy price
Kuzma 4Point 14": Seems like the correct answer, but obscenely expensive at <$10k. 
Kuzma Ref 313: Seems like a nice second-place option
Other Kuzma arms with VTA towers: Mount too closely to play 16" records :'(
Jelco TK750L/850/950: The 750 seems OK but just decent. 850 and 950 pretty hard to find.
TruGlider: Seems somewhat promising, but not sure I'm quite sold.

Seeking opinions on what's the most cost-effective arm solution buck-for-buck for my needs. I've seen others, too, but they haven't made the list. The Kuzmas look great, and I'll have to suck it up when it comes to swapping headshells. A lot of nice arms don't have removable headshells, which is a dealbreaker. The Kuzma you can at least swap them out but need to unplug and replug leads. Thanks!
mke246

Showing 1 response by andysf

andysf
268 posts
 
I am involved in a similar project.  Personally, I would look at something like a 12" Jelco and spend the money on better cartridges and associated gear (like a SweetVinyl SC2 to remove the sound of clicks and pops.)   

I would rethink your choice of cartridges.  Could a Shure with a 3.5 mil tip really sound better than a Miyajima Zero with a 3 mil even if not exactly the right size?  In any case, even my Stanton 500 II sounded better than the cheaper Shure with 78s and there are all kinds of different size stylus available for that.
There are lots of ways to transfer 78s effectively.  I would confer with as many people as possible (if you haven't already) before you make expensive commitments.     


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