Is RIAA equalisation enough for Phono Stages?

This site http://geocities.com/midimagic@sbcglobal.net/mixphono.htm has an expalnation of Pre RIAA equalization. If you click on the "Recording curves" and "Record label usages" links at the bottom of the page you will see the various Pre RIAA curves.

Since I have many pre 1955 LPs, I have researched Pre RIAA EQ fairly extensively. I have seen numerous mentions that some Record Labels, particularly European labels, did not switch to RIAA EQ when the standards were adopted in 1954. Some of the articles that I have read say that most, but not all Record Labels had adopted RIAA by the end of the '50s. Some labels, however, did not switch to RIAA until the early '60s (European Decca!). The Record Usage Label table at the above website shows a number of record labels that did not switch to RIAA until much later than 1954. Though that table is not complete. I have a 1960 mono Philips LP that has the treble rolled off at the Pre RIAA slope of 6dB.

As you can see from looking at the EQ tables at the above mentioned website, designing a phono stage that can properly EQ pre RIAA LPs is a complicated task. If you are only concerned about 33 1/3rd LPs, then you need four different setting for restoring the rumble shelf, you need five different settings for bass rolloff frequency, and you need seven different settings for the slope of the treble rolloff. To have this many settings and audiophile quality sound is not a trivial task and it does not come cheap. I have been working with one manufacturer in helping him determine the settings for the Pre RIAA phono stage that he is designing. We have had lengthy discussions regarding the need versus the cost and effort required to add each separate setting.

An audiophile quality phono stage that can handle any Pre RIAA 33 1/3rd LPs is not going to be cheap.

Rgordonpf, and the EMT is not cheap!

The EMT JPA-66 looks absolutely gorgeous. I love their arm and cartridges and would love to hear it.

On a cheaper note, I've got the Sentec EQ-10 tube phonostage coming from the same (US) distributor. It's made in Sweden and allows many variations for mono LPs (and now, it appears, some stereo LPs!) and 78s.

http://www.toneimports.com/sentec/sentec_eq10.html

Patrickamory, Loricraft has an inexpensive phono stage with many choices for equalization. I have not heard it, but had their standard model which was very good for the money.

I had the pleasure of attending one of the HiFi+ demonstrations at the RMAF. They used a Zanden phono stage which has multiple (but not continuously variable) RIAA settings. The table/arm/cartridge combination was kept constant except when demonstrating the utility of a mono cartridge with a mono recording. This was a methodical demonstration with only a single variable changed during each part of the demonstration. Roy Gregory and cohorts are to be commended for taking the time to make this such a meaningful demonstration.

The results were easily heard and for me, justified the cost of the trip. IMO, if you are dedicated to vinyl and have a significant investment in analog, it behooves you to at least consider a phono stage with variable RIAA. I have recently purchased a new turntable (Galibier Stelvio/Triplanar/Dynavector XV1-S combo) and the HiFi+ demo will definitely enter into my thought process as I look for a new phonostage/preamplifier. I have many jazz records recorded prior to 1975 that should benefit. I am also looking into add a second arm with a mono cartridge for my many mono recordings.

Regards and enjoy the music.