2. analog
  3. 152319-10803

Turntable Ground Wire question

I plan on getting the 1210GR Technics turntable and use a Mofi StudioPhono preamp for regular LPs. However, I have a few 78's. Although most were made in the 50's, I'm not certain all were RIAA. I'm thinking of getting a cheap flat or non RIAA preamp from Rek-O-kut or similar. 78's would be just casual listening every now and then. The Graham Slee pres are way over my budget. With all that said. I was just going to switch the 1210 cable from the MOFI to the 78 preamp. Since the Mofi will be on 24/7 can I leave the ground connected to the Mofi when switching? Or does it have to be grounded to the actual preamp being fed? I will have a dedicated mono 78 cartridge.

One other question, instead of a dedicated 78 preamp, could one get a "flat" eq curve by going directly into an input my BHK Pre from the turntable or my Schiit passive pre? 
aberyclark
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
That's what I would do.

A quick search turns up this
http://pspatialaudio.com/record_characters.htm
which is about what I remember.

The main reason I looked that up was curious attraction I have for the even older phonograph 78s. No RIAA there! For all their many sonic shortcomings I nevertheless somehow find them utterly captivating.
big_greg
6,658 posts
 
I don't know anything about 78s, but I do know that the Parks Puffin has multiple EQ settings and you can customize your own as well and it's only $450.  I have one and have been really happy with it.  Might be worth checking out.  
lewm
13,169 posts
 
A brief internet search suggests that equalization for 78 rpm records made prior to about 1950 is a veritable can of worms.  I was surprised, because I might have guessed that equalization was not used back then.  If you're going to use a dedicated 78 stage with no equalization, be prepared for tonal imbalance.  As to the question about grounding.  There's no harm in what you propose to do and possibly also no benefit.  Sometimes you will reduce hum by NOT grounding the tonearm or turntable to the preamp. If grounding to the MoFi doesn't work, then try grounding to the 78 stage.  The only risk is loud hum, either way. In my book, leaving the ground wire on the MoFi while you listen to 78s using the dedicated stage is akin to no grounding.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Look for Gold Note PH-10 phono stage and you will find alternative setting for RIAA. You can choose one of three standard EQ curves (RIAA, DECCA-LONDON, AMERICAN COLUMBIA), all with optional “Enhanced” function.


glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,700 posts
 
for an excellent phono stage that's reasonably priced look at the IfI Iphono2 I used one for a year and its surprisingly good for less then $500, it has an impressive loading gain settings and RIAA, DECCA and one other I cannot  recall. Its really good for the money and a 3rd the cost of the Gold Note and not that far off from it in sound. I went from the Ifi Iphono2 to the Gold Note ph10 by the way.

glen 
 
More to discover