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
Cool idea Dekay. If I take over another room my wife will have no place to sleep.

I'm going to have to push it through the current rig. Maybe get a second head shell for the Decca and a true mono cartridge for those old 78's.
Don't be a spoil sport Albert. Your wife may just be interested in an old/nice Victrola cabinet (perhaps enough to ask that you replace the rest of the setup with it:-).
Then we would have to get one of those dogs like RCA used in the ads.

I can see him now, sitting in the living room listening to that old horn coming off the Victrola and ignoring my Soundlabs.
Albert,

I talked to a buddy of mine who built the newest version Seduction. He loves it. From what he says, you CAN NOT go wrong for the money. I wanted to try it, but he would not swap for my Microgroove! He was going to let me use the Ear when I built my Teres. Then the SOB sold it. But he most definitely liked the Seduction better. He's a "suspended" table man, and into tubes. Kind of an odd duck, but knows his s@#t. I'd like to hear a report of how it sounds in a system as nice as yours.

The other thing you may want to look at is the Ming-Da (sp?) tubed phono stage. I think I saw it here and on ebay for a little over $500. Some on AA seem to be impressed by the new wave of Chinese audiophile equiptment making the rounds. Having no first hand experience, and not knowing anyone who has, I must say I'd be hard pressed to recommend it. But it does present another option.

Gotta tell ya, this thread is interesting. In my family, who never gts rid of anything, there must be 2000 78's between all of my relatives. All bought new. I was already planning on building the next TT with two arms. I wonder if I can get Chris to do a motor with 33 & 78.....

Oh, BTW, check this out:

http://www.sloca.com/default.asp?section=Phono_Cartridges&group=RPM_78

Shure M78S for $49.
Thanks for the link Jphii.

Good news too as this is a true mono cartridge according to Shure web site. All I would need is a second head shell and I can spin every everything from 16 to 78 RPM.

I wish I had access to the 2000 78 RPM discs you mention. I would love to find some old rock and roll or blues or maybe Ella Fitzgerald or other great artists that released tunes on 78 that never made it to long play.

As for Chris doing a motor with 33 and 78. All that is required is a larger pulley.