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78 RPM - Potential for better sound than digital?

I am interested in expanding my collection of music with a new focus on music from the 30s thru the early 50s. I'm considering 78s and wondering if anybody has been able to get better than digital sound quality out of such old recordings. I have both PC-based digital (Wavelength Audio Brick) and VPI Scout. If it can beat digital on sound quality, I would be willing to buy a preamp with appropriate equalization features (e.g., Graham Slee Jazz) and a dedicated 78 cartridge and take the trouble to find 78s in good condition. Has anybody been able to get great, better than digital sound from old music out of 78s? I would appreciate any comments. Thanks! Mark
mm2550
acusound
13 posts
 
For what it's worth, there is nothing like the impact and body of a 78, but they are heavy, fragile and a pain. One three minute side, though, is worth 25 of an lp or 75 of a cd in terms of musical truth.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
"there is nothing like the impact and body of a 78"

I've heard this from others. I've never had the right playback setup to hear or appreciate these qualities.
mags5000
73 posts
 
Mark...I have been collecting old blues 78's for the past 5-6 years and have found copies which do indeed sound fantastic. As good as digital? No. However, the vast majority are just not all that great sorry to say. A big problem I see is price. I have many 78's that have cost several thousand dollars each in order to get an excellent copy. Most other types of music are not very collectible and are much cheaper to purchase in mint condition.
mothra
110 posts
 
Well, as good in what way? as low a noise floor? no, but you won't get that with an LP either. I have heard plenty of 78's that sounded better than cd's and many sound bad just like many lp's and cd's sound bad. A key thing is that there is very little moneuy being put into 78 reproduction right now. Also, depending on the era, the systems now are not really geared for that sound. They made some pretty hi fi 78's though.
mm2550 OP
16 posts
 
Your comments are very helpful. Acusounds comment makes this venture sound intriguing. I appreciate Mags5000's comment about the expense of getting clean copies. I would probably just take an opportunistic approach, picking up 78s I can acquire affordably, passing on the rest. Rather than asking if digital is better, I should have asked if one can, on many occassions, get better than digital sound out of a 78 for a given recording. I'm not sure I follow Mothra's comment about systems geared for the sound, but I think Graham Slee has some intriguing products that at least address equalization issues. Thanks! Mark
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