A difficult LP reproduction question


I have a nice high end system and wish to add a second turntable (for fun!). The choices are likely Thorens TD124MK ll or Lenco L75. Both these are old technology and will spin 78 RPM and use idler drive.

Desire is to experiment with moving magnet cartridge, inexpensive phono stages and 78 RPM records to name but a few.

Here are but a few of the economy priced phono stages that I've been researching for the past three weeks. (Hope that explains my lack of posting lately).

Seduction
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/Seduction/seduction.htm

EAR 834P Deluxe
http://www.ear-usa.com/earproducts.htm

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE
http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ALEHBCPLUS

Antique Soundlab Mini
http://www.divertech.com/aslminiphono.htm

Musical Fidelity X-LPSv3
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/xponframeset.html

NAD PP2
http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_amplifiers/pp2_closerlook.htm

Any Audiogon member that have direct experience with any combination of these, I would appreciate your comments.
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xalbertporter
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).
Eldartford, you appear to not like old (inexpensive) technology yet you actively work to disprove the quality of modern (inexpensive) technology as well.

Cryo AC outlets being a perfect example, you have a rather long running thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1079992196&read&h12&zzlSubaruguru&rest

What part of high end audio do you approve of? Perhaps only the most expensive, or absolutely free?
What cartridge are you considering? I have seen some special 78 version of the Denon DL103 at Phonophono.de for around 200.- Euro (the DL103/78, http://www.phonophono.de/english/html/denon_details_1.html). Might be something worth looking at....
Hi all

Fwiw I have enjoyed using a Lenco 75 with mono Goldring cartridge through an Armstrong 127 tuner amp. This is a valve unit with a normal (albeit old) riaa phono stage. Frank Sinatra never sounded better in that system. The typical 78 hiss was there but the music quality made it irrelevant. I did intend connecting in an old Leak pre-amp that had variable equalisation for 78s but the sound was so good as above, that can wait for another day.

Regards