78's through the system

Probably not much help, but I decided against adding 78 playback to the main system as it would be too expensive as well as a hassle. Instead I decided to pick up either a vintage or new "all in one player" with a small footprint so that it can be placed on the coffee table when we feel like spinning 78's. 78's are over quickly and I figure that (though not Hi-fi) this is about the only practical way to listen to them (we would not have to get up to change/flip the discs), plus most of our 78's are pretty grooved out anyway.

Restoration Hardware had one of these units for approx. $125.00 around the holidays, though I would prefer a vintage single ended, self contained, tube unit (which I see on Ebay now and then) for not a lot of money.

If I ever did decide to go the route you are considering I would use a separate TT for the 78's, like an old Dual, a Fons or something like that. I do however have an extra head shell for the TT that I will install a mono cartridge in (for the main system) as we have quite a few mono LP's. I will use the same cartridge that I am currently using but order the mono version (this way it should sound decent without having to adjust VTA and such).

Thanks for the input folks. One at a time: Greg, yeah, I'll probably just have RIAA if it's close enough. As far as geometry goes, VTA that's close for 78 and correct for 33 will probably be good enough, but you have a point where overhang is concerned if I got an SME, since their headshells are fixed-hole design, with a sliding tonearm base - that would be a problem. Jim, I play a lot of 45's, and have basically ruled out Rega because of the lack of an eletronic speed change control - I don't want to lift off the platter every time I want to change speeds. Brulee, I only own maybe a couple hundred 78's right now - I can't say I really know how they sound, because I've been playing them on a vintage blonde-wood Columbia all-in-one tabletop record player, which is cool but not exactly high fidelity. Gthrush, I had been trying to avoid multiple 'arms, but it may turn out to be the easiest thing - if I can get a 'table I like that'll take more than one and do 78rpm (does the PLC work with a lot of different manufacturer's motors?). As far as phono stages go, I'm unclear on why you imply I would need one per cartridge, though - couldn't I just swap input leads? Psychicanimal, I'll definitely check out what can be done with the 1200 - I already have the Michell clamp for it, as well as a tonearm wrap and a sorbothane mat, and I realize that it's a well-built machine, but the platter does ring and I'm curious to try good belt-drive with full suspension. The damper sounds interesting though, and if I got the 78 conversion done I could keep it as my second 'table if I get something better for 33. I wonder, did you (or can you?) get the tonearm cable upgraded in addition to the lead-out wires? - doing this is something I've been considering too. Zmrs13, cool tip, I'll take a look at the site. Again, thanks for all the responses!

I attempted changing the tonearm wires and ended up buying a new tonearm...it's a very tricky procedure and the service manual is of no help. I took pictures, however, and plan to publish them in an internet audio e-zine.

Do you find improvement w/ the sorbothane mat? I've heard it's not a good thing for the 1200. Ringing? All aluminum rings...perhaps you have trouble with isolation and damping. I don't have (or at least hear) any troubles. I have mine on an IKEA Lack coffee table as Ken Lyon of Neuance shelve's suggested me. It is then placed on a marble cutting board sitting on four adjustable level brass cones.

The addition of the tonearm fluid damper is like having a totally different TT. My Ortofon X5 had a tonearm resonance point of 15 Hz and after the damper it completely disappeared. I have also placed a Bob Regal foot to the left of the tonearm base behind the platter. It cleaned out female voices by lowering the pitch (is this what you call ringing?).

Well, if I were you I'd definitely try the damper. For $149 it's the most sensible upgrade you'll get.

"We are all opinonated".
Although listening to music really is a matter of personal taste, I would like to tell you about my positive experiences with 78s.
You can indeed get many good (used and new) turntables with 78rpm ( DUAL, Thorens, etc.).
I use a cheap Shure M78S cartridge and it sounds better (!) than the Shure V15VXMR, which I also tried with an 78rpm stylus.
I use my normal RIAA phonostage, but with an input (load) impedance of only 500 Ohms (of course you can try 1000 Ohms or more). For me 500 Ohms makes a very natural treble and midrange, but boosts the bass. To compensate for this, you can either simply use the tone controls (if you have them) of your amplifier, or you use the Esoteric Research "Re-Equalizer". Try it with any classical piano solo or violin shellac, and maybe you are as convinced, as I am.
Happy listening!
Alfred from Luebeck (Germany)

I have a Rega 78 for my 78rpm's, and for a second a Garrard 301 with a Grace 747 which has a removable headshell. Both TT's are outfitted with a Goldring G1010 in it's 78rpm version.
Both the Rega and the Goldring are real sleepers as they have served me the better part of 10 years. I play 78 collection every Sunday evening to irritate the kids!