2. analog
  3. 167580-147943

Tonearms for reference 78 RPM system Technics SP-10R

Seeking some feedback from all of you audio experts on a quandry I'm finding myself in as I build a new reference-level system. I specialize in transfer and restoration of 78 RPM records from the 1920s. While they don't exactly have the frequency range of modern LPs, I'm sure they still benefit from a good system. Assume the rest of my setup is as optimal as it can be with respect to components.

78s require numerous cartridges with swappable stylii in a range from 1.5 to 4 mil. I have a few different carts: Shure M44, Shure M75, Shure V15 mk Vx. They need a medium mass arm and usually track between 2.5 and 4 grams, usually around 3. The stylii are medium to low compliance.

I prefer using a 12" arm or something that mounts far enough away to be able to play 16" records. I also need to be able to adjust the arm height, ideally being able to raise the arm above the spindle to recenter records that are pressed off-center.

I've been debating for the last week what to do about a tonearm. I hate to have to upgrade again someday, but I don't exactly have 10 grand lying around to drop on the best. I could probably do it if I sell of a lot of things and live like a pauper, relatively speaking, for a while. I'm considering the following:

SME 3012-R: Relatively easy to find, medium price ~$2k, would fit on my plinth's armboard without re-drilling holes.
SME 312S: Will need to wait months for one to turn up on the used market or pay a crazy price
Kuzma 4Point 14": Seems like the correct answer, but obscenely expensive at <$10k. 
Kuzma Ref 313: Seems like a nice second-place option
Other Kuzma arms with VTA towers: Mount too closely to play 16" records :'(
Jelco TK750L/850/950: The 750 seems OK but just decent. 850 and 950 pretty hard to find.
TruGlider: Seems somewhat promising, but not sure I'm quite sold.

Seeking opinions on what's the most cost-effective arm solution buck-for-buck for my needs. I've seen others, too, but they haven't made the list. The Kuzmas look great, and I'll have to suck it up when it comes to swapping headshells. A lot of nice arms don't have removable headshells, which is a dealbreaker. The Kuzma you can at least swap them out but need to unplug and replug leads. Thanks!
mke246
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I belive the Miyajima cartridge for 78 rpm is a must if you want some magic. And Fidelity-Research FR-64s or Lustre GST-801 tonearm.

If you want to continue with MM cartridges with styli for 78rpm the best tonearm for them in my opinion is Technics EPA-100 or EPA-100 mk2.

Off-centered record can be centered only by moving a record itself on the platter, you can’t fix this problem with tonearm, you can only move your record (expand its spindle hole if necessary) until your arm does not move left and right in the groove while playing.


It’s easier to fix it on 45rpm singles, because the hole is bigh enough to move the record 3-5mm off (without adapter).  
mke246 OP
30 posts
 
Thanks! Some more things to think about. I've heard about that Miyajima product. I'm sure it's good at what it's intended to do and has great build quality, but the main practical problem as an archivist is that it only works well if the groove width is exactly 3 mil. If not, you're better off using a cheaper cartridge with a custom stylus that's 2.5 or 3.5 or 4. The best 78 stylii are truncated, too, to eliminate the pickup of noise in the bottom of the groove. A further consideration regarding mono cartridges in general is that surface noise is best removed in stereo before summing to mono, and archival transfers always need to be done in stereo. For casual listening, my preamp Timestep T-03EQ A+ sums to mono.

I hadn't heard about the Fidelity Research, Lustre or Technics arms, and I'll have to give them serious thought. 

Right now, the SME 3012-R seems like a good mixture of flexibility, price, availability in good condition, and performance. But how much better would performace would I be if I stick my neck out and drop $5k-10k on a Kuzma?  It's generally difficult to decide, largely because everyone hears differently and it's hard to figure out the marginal returns of a $2,000 arm vs. a $5,000 arm or even a $10,000 arm.

The FR-64s seems good but a bit quirky and demanding of a certain setup, being heavy. It seems like it has its own sound and isn't the most neutral. 

The Technics EPA-100s sound great overall, but possibly lacking in bass. I saw one reviewer rank it above the SME V, which is a high compliment. Overall, I'm still far from decided...
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Miyajima available with different size of the styli for different 78rpm records. It is a true mono cartridge. You need heavy tonearm for this cartridge this is why FR and Lustre are recommended.


The FR-64s seems good but a bit quirky and demanding of a certain setup, being heavy. It seems like it has its own sound and isn’t the most neutral.

I have 64s with b60, 64fx with N60, 66fx with Ikeda VTA, Lustre GST-801 and all those Technics tonearms. They are all amazing tonearms.

but tonearm must be matched to your cartridge and mono are low compliance cartridges, you need heavy tonearm, the FR is one of the heaviest tonearms.

Regarding modern tonearm I can recommend Reed 3p "12 inch for your SP-10R drive. Or you can buy Thomas Schick "12 inch tonearm for much less money, it was designed for low compliance carts and nice for the money.

Kuzma tonearms are so ugly in my opinion.

The Technics EPA-100s sound great overall, but possibly lacking in bass. I saw one reviewer rank it above the SME V, which is a high compliment. Overall, I’m still far from decided...


You have SP-10R turntable, why do you think Technics reference tonearm like EPA-100 mkII that cost nearly $3k "lacking in bass"? In my opinion this is the best tonearm you can get for your MM carts. For less money you can find NOS EPA-100 (not mk2).



tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I have to say the arm that comes with the mew Technics tables is no slouch just because it is Technics.  Its very good.
More to discover