A difficult LP reproduction question

I actually heard that Rat Shack thing. Believe it or not, you can't go wrong trying it. It's $25, special order off the website. But remember, MM only.

Have any of you heard the Bottlehead Seduction? There are claims it is approaching state of the art and the kit is less than $300.00.

After completion you can add Stevens and Billington step ups and it will handle ultra low output moving coils cartridges such as Koetsu.

This increases my desire to experiment with rim drive turntables, moving magnet cartridges and older tonearms. I received my (NEW) factory packed Decca tonearm today from Holland and have yet to open the box.

Part of this desire is due to Jean Nantais thread here at Audiogon.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1075644493&read&h24&zzlJohnnantais&rest

That thread combined with my early days in high end audio where I sold this type of gear makes me want to revisit rim drive turntables and see how much performance is there. It's not all about 78 RPM, although these old rim drives have that ability along with variable speed adjustment.

My son begins college this year and if the commute becomes tiring he will move on campus, in which case this would become his music system. I want him to be part of this rebuild which is partially the reason for my interest in the phono stage kit.

There seems to be a number of people with this idea. Thorens rim drive table such as the TD 124 that went largely unnoticed a few years ago are fetching near $2000.00 on EBAY with twelve inch SME arms.

Lencos on EBAY have gone from about $35,00 to near $200.00 since Jean's thread began here at Audiogon.

Hi Albert, I find it interesting that you are also delving into 78rpm reproduction. A very close friend of mine (and music fanatic) initiated burning CD compilations of 78s that he has collected for 35 years. A lot of older opera recordings in particular.

He is extremely fussy about sound quality and has made quite a study of 78s. I know that this is not in your posted vein of interest, although it happens to be the piece my buddy is using for a phono pre. He chose this unit for exactly the reason that Elizabeth and yourself were discussing. I find it an unusual coincidence just having this discussion for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?phoncart.htm

It is my understanding that there were actually seven different equalization curves used through the course of about 60 years. He had found very wide deviations in sonic and frequency balance based on the actual record release period. He found the above unit to be a very thorough and complete solution.

I just thought you might find this interesting.

Also, I do have some experience with one phono pre on your list, the Black Cube. I used it until I began experimenting with the Monolithic pre and power supply. I found the Monolithic to be slightly more open and quiet, revealing marginally more detail than the Black Cube. I did like the adjustability of the Monolithic very much as loading and gain adjustments were quite diverse.

Regards & Happy listening, Ed.

I'm sorry Albert. When you click on the link, it brings you to the home page. On the top of the page click on "phono preamps", then scroll down to "KAB Souvenir Mk2" vintage signal processor. Ed.

The current fascination with "rim drive" (idler wheel) turntables is astonishing. We were so glad to be rid of that technology (and I use the word loosely). What will it be next...wind-up clockwork drive? (No EMI problems for sure).