A difficult LP reproduction question

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.

I just wrote an email to the MingDa people, asking about the MC767-RD Phono Tube Pre-Amplifier.

It looks very nice. Wish I had someone who has compared it to any of the others discussed here. There seems to be a wealth of new inexpensive tube phono's appearing on the market. Someone needs to do a test.

Mingda and chineese tube gear.....

I was considering that one too, but I am worried about service and reliability of any attractive 'affordable' gear from China. I believe that some of this stuff can be serviced in north america, but....

As for doing a test.... that someone could be you, no?

There are some US dealers who will do a 30 day on the MingDa, just for guys like yourself to check it out. I'd do it myself, but I live in Canada and its more of a hassle for me.

To do this right, someone would need a sample of five or six of these pieces and do a shoot off.

Even then it would be necessary to have more than one cartridge and tonearm so there was no unfair synergy with a certain piece.

Unfortunately this is beyond me, I don't have funds or power to bring that many pieces together. Audiogon member posting results (with nothing to gain) have great value. One of the best things about this site and probably as close as I will get to hands on experience.