crap sound?

[Gordon Steadman]

I've been fixing a few things for the woman that bought my Teufel speakers. She has some kind of palsy that means her hands shake uncontrollably when trying to do anything. Makes life a bit difficult when cueing up the tone arm.

Anyway, yesterday, I delivered her newly fettled Thorens and got various systems working properly. Discovered a spare arm for the Thorens with a Shure M44 and a spare 78 stylus.

Borrowed it.

Fitted the Shure to my Garrard SP25 and tried one 78 just to see how it sounded. Jaw dropping is the answer - played Bach Brandenburg No 6. Fantastic drive, solidity and focus (OK its mono) Once I get rid of the hiss and crackle, its going to be great. I have a pile of 78s I've wanted to listen to for ages. Need a clean though.

it's going to be interesting to put the ordinary stylus back on the Garrard (it is modified with a better arm than standard) and see what 'proper' records sound like. I don't for a minute expect it to wipe the floor with my main TT but there is definitely something about idler drives. I still miss my 301 - obviously in a different class to the SP25 but it will be fun playing - again. Do lots of that:)

[walpurgis]

Just the mention of an SP25 makes me cringe Gordon. Dreadful little things, nasty bearing and a light platter that wobbles. I had loads of them.

[spendorman]

Just a point on the 78's, most amps don't have the correct equalization for 78's. I know that there is software equalization, I've never tried it. My Quad 22 pre-amp does have the required equalization, used it with Shure M75/N75/3, Ortofon arm and TD124 II, worked really well.

[Gordon Steadman]

Just the mention of an SP25 makes me cringe Gordon. Dreadful little things, nasty bearing and a light platter that wobbles. I had loads of them.

This one has no wobble at all and whilst I can't vouch for the bearing, it runs and runs for ever after switching off, even at 33rpm.

Sorry to cause a cringe of course! I expect you will recover but I'll mention it again from time to time to cause the slow drip drip drip of cringeworthiness:eyebrows:

[Gordon Steadman]

Just a point on the 78's, most amps don't have the correct equalization for 78's. I know that there is software equalization, I've never tried it. My Quad 22 pre-amp does have the required equalization, used it with Shure M75/N75/3, Ortofon arm and TD124 II, worked really well.

I ran it into a Creek Phono so you are no doubt correct. However, as they are all going to be recorded onto the Mac, I see if I can do the correction afterwards. Not tried it before.

[spendorman]

I ran it into a Creek Phono so you are no doubt correct. However, as they are all going to be recorded onto the Mac, I see if I can do the correction afterwards. Not tried it before.

That will be interesting.

My PC has a Terratec soundcard and that has an input for magnetic cartridge, and software for playing LP's and 45's. Not tried that either.

[Ali Tait]

Dunno if you have an RCM, but be careful what cleaning fluid you use, some of those meant for vinyl will damage shellac.

[Jimbo]

Just the mention of an SP25 makes me cringe Gordon. Dreadful little things, nasty bearing and a light platter that wobbles. I had loads of them.

HI Geoff,

I have an SP25 in unused condition which after removing the gunky bearing grease runs very smoothly indeed with no wobbles but speed variation is troublesome as I think the idler wheel needs cleaning as does the mechanism that controls speed.

My only real complaint with it is the massive amount of rumble and groaning noises in the background!!

[Gordon Steadman]

Dunno if you have an RCM, but be careful what cleaning fluid you use, some of those meant for vinyl will damage shellac.

Considering the state of some of them it will probably be washing up liquid and a scrubbing brush:lol:

[Ali Tait]

:D

[struth]

Just get a wind up gramophone like me...thats the way to play 78s

[Gordon Steadman]

Just get a wind up gramophone like me...thats the way to play 78s

I have my wife - I don't need any other wind up anything:rolleyes:

[spendorman]

HI Geoff,

I have an SP25 in unused condition which after removing the gunky bearing grease runs very smoothly indeed with no wobbles but speed variation is troublesome as I think the idler wheel needs cleaning as does the mechanism that controls speed.

My only real complaint with it is the massive amount of rumble and groaning noises in the background!!

Yes, condition of the idler wheel is very important, same with the Thorens TD124. I still have several S25's and an AT60. They are in the loft, but working quite well, without too much rumble, when put in there 30 or more years ago!

[struth]

Thats the type of thing you want:lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PwLY-ThDWIw/T_mswWboMlI/AAAAAAAADOM/2gFmpxuaa_4/s800/DSC_0062.JPG

[PaulStewart]

Hi Gordon, In the studio I use VinylStudio from Alpine Soft for transfers, you can invert the RIAA curve and then ad the correct one not expensive and runs on Macs. I loved my SP25Mk2 used it with a Deram ceramic at first and upgraded to an M-44 later, it was my first "real "TT.

Have a blast :)

[Gordon Steadman]

Hi Gordon, In the studio I use VinylStudio from Alpine Soft for transfers, you can invert the RIAA curve and then ad the correct one not expensive and runs on Macs. I loved my SP25Mk2 used it with a Deram ceramic at first and upgraded to an M-44 later, it was my first "real "TT.

Have a blast :)


Thanks Paul,

I'm pretty impressed with the M44 and the 78 stylus. The RIAA might not be right but the sound off the 78s is surprising good. Once I've recorded them all I will put the other stylus back in and listen to it properly. Three Brandenburgs and an Organ Prelude so far. The performances are a bit proper for me but reflect the times I guess (1930s). I prefer my Bach to be jazz.

I'll look out for Vinyl Studio.

[Haselsh1]

I may be wrong but hasn't the iPhono stage got the correct equalisation for playing 78's...?

[Barry]

Yes - but which equalisation curve? There was no universal equalisation for 78s: each record company had its own playback curve.

[spendorman]

Yes - but which equalisation curve? There was no universal equalisation for 78s: each record company had its own playback curve.

Absolutely

The Quad 22 had a clever system of pushing various buttons in or out for different curves.