What now? 78 rpm

[Clive]

Can you vary the speed either side of the set 33, 45 or 78 ?

Yes, the speed is variable via 10-turn pots so fine setting of the speed is easy plus a very wide range of speed is available for each speed setting.

[Tea24]

Only just seen this thread. Try to get an Audio Technica AT-PL 120; there are still a few around. A DJ deck for around the £200 mark (new) which will play your 78s a treat. Then you need a Graham Slee Jazz Club for re-equalising and a set of Rek-o-Kut archival needles (that's the expensive bit). 78s when washed on a RCM (NOT using alcahol based liquid, just distilled water with a bit of washing up liquid) sound fantastic. The Jazz Club has a mono/stereo switch which helps and the TT has variable speed. Use a strobe to get the speed exactly right as the TT is not dead accuaret on speed, but consistent.

Hope that helps.

[DSJR]

I'd still say a Lenco while they're just about affordable - AND DON'T BUTCHER IT, as original examples will probably hold value better eventually. They're going for well over a ton now unfortunately and nearer double that for clean(ish) examples.

The Planar 78 is the pipe-n-slippers version,, which should give a velvet-smooth performance when fitted with the 78 version of the Bias cartridge. I also understand the Techie can be configured for 78's too....

[Welder]

I don’t know. You lot, what are you like
You need a phonograph, you know, one of those things with a horn and a wind up handle.

Record decks ffs, that’s like playing Marco’s 50’s vinyl on a computer!
I’ve come to the conclusion that some of you are definitely lacking in style.

[Tea24]

Sorry John, IMO you are entirely wrong. I have a wind up & it sounds quite good, but a properly re-equalised 78 on good modern equipment with the correct sized needle played at the correct speed is a revelation.

[Welder]

Entirely wrong eh. At least I’ve done the job properly then.....

[spendorman]

If one wants correct equalisation for the various old record companies, the Quad 22 pre amp is pretty good.

I have a Thorens TD124 fitted with an Ortofon RS212 arm, for 78's. I put a spare headshell in with a Shure 75(ED) cartridge, fitted with an N75-3 stylus.

[WOStantonCS100]

This is going to cost me a bundle, init.

Finding Lenco's around here is pretty tough, apparently. I've seen some pretty nice ones. What do you mean by "don't butcher it"? There's a guy on youtube who's got a 75 done up in white with a huge baby blue plinth. It's got a Fidelity Research FR64S tonearm and Ortofon SPU Silver Miester cartridge. Not my first choice of colors; but, his looks (and probably sounds) really cool.

The Rega 78 I absolutely could not do. Any turntable that only does one speed, and 78 at that, is not for me. I'd have a very hard time convincing myself the Rega wouldn't break down far sooner than an equally well serviced Lenco, Thorens or Technics.

With a cartridge retip and new arm on the way, "The Jazz Club" is a drool inducing item I should probably not jump into. The Rek-O-Kut stuff on the other hand seems to offer quite good functionality. I also wouldn't feel bad about cracking it open and upgrading internal components.

Big horns... ...great aesthetic pieces; but, I just don't have the real estate for them; too much vinyl.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I think that when Dave talks about butchering a Lenco, he's referring to some folks habit of doing away with the arm at all costs.

• The arm being not too bad at all really
• The cost of doing away with it being carving off a lump of top plate in order to fit a new arm.

Rest assured that in years to come, a well cared for original will fetch a proper price.