Modern turntable for 78-rpm vinyls? (question from a newbie)

[amaranth]

I'm planning to buy my first record player. I inherited all of my grandpa’s records recently, I believe there could be some really old recordings - that’s why I’d like to buy a nice one, so I don't have to worry about ruining the records. I’ve been searching for a while and found out that some models I considered (https://wisepick.org/best-vintage-turntable/) doesn’t work with 78-rpm vinyls. I need to know, is there any other things I need to keep in mind while choosing a turntable for them? In general, is it possible to find a modern turntable which would work with this format? Or a flea market is my only option? My budget is 300£.
Sorry if it’s not on topic :rolleyes:

[Dubmart]

Rega make a dedicated 78rpm deck and a matching cartridge as well, but on your budget you will likely be better advised to buy a mint or well restored used deck from the late sixties/early seventies that will offer you all speeds, something like a Lenco would be a good choice, you will need different cartridges or at the very least a different stylus for playing 78s and vinyl records, 45rpm and 33rpm as the grooves on 78s are much wider as well as being mono.

[ReggieB]

My father has a large collection of classical music 78s. He swears by Goldring 72/75s. One of the key factors being the ability to vary the speed, as very many "78s" were not recorded at that speed. So something that can go up to around 90 and down to 70 rpm is desirable.

[struth]

My father has a large collection of classical music 78s. He swears by Goldring 72/75s. One of the key factors being the ability to vary the speed, as very many "78s" were not recorded at that speed. So something that can go up to around 90 and down to 70 rpm is desirable.

Yup. Very true. I use wind up gramophones for authenticity but all my records are well used anyway

[Oddball]

My father has a large collection of classical music 78s. He swears by Goldring 72/75s. One of the key factors being the ability to vary the speed, as very many "78s" were not recorded at that speed. So something that can go up to around 90 and down to 70 rpm is desirable.

Great stuff , imagine if we messed about with the TT speed on 33 rpm LP,s to suit our listening delights , instead of being possesed about locked solidly on 33 !!!:eek:

[ReggieB]

great stuff , imagine if we messed about with the tt speed on 33 rpm lp,s to suit our listening delights , instead of being possesed about locked solidly on 33 !!!:eek:

33 1/3 rpm :)

[Oddball]

33 1/3 rpm :)

I knew someone would say that ;)

[Barry]

"78-rpm vinyls"!

Wrong! The plural is 'records', and "78"s used shellac, not polyvinyl chloride. Vinyl was only introduced with the advent of the microgroove LP by Columbia records.

Apart from that, the need for a TT that has a speed that can be varied between 70rpm and 85rpm is essential, as is a cartridge fitted with a 65um stylus.

[Melancho]

I got a vintage turntable not quite long. In case you are looking to get one, here are shortlisted models (https://www.topreviewsadvisor.com/best-vintage-turntable/) to choose from.

[Oddball]

Thanks. Nothing capable of playing 78's there though?

[Barry]

Thanks. Nothing capable of playing 78's there though?

Well obviously nothing current, but there are many vintage TTs out there that will spin at 78rpm, though you will have to buy used. Some examples:

Collaro 2020
Connoisseur BD3 and earlier:
https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/uploads/monthly_04_2016/post-155367-0-72711500-1459577555.jpg

EMT 927, 928, 930 and 938
Garrard 301 and 401
Goldring Lenco GL75
Goldring G88 and G99
Thorens 124 (both Mk.I and Mk.II) and 135

http://www.charm.rhul.ac.uk/history/p20_4_6.html

[Fiddlefye]

The best table I can think of for playing 78s isn't "new" in the strictest sense, but certainly modern - Technics SP-15. Put your choice of higher-mass arm on and your favourite 78 cart and it would be hard to get better. Mine came with an Audio Technica ATP-12T.
It currently sports a Sumiko MMT as the AT is in use elsewhere, but if I were playing a lot of 78s it would still be there.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4575/24451549728_8706b63c41_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DfGzRA)DSC_4997 (https://flic.kr/p/DfGzRA) by fiddlefye (https://www.flickr.com/photos/82699172@N00/), on Flickr

[NRG]

https://www.esotericsound.com/turntableD.htm