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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.
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bmckenney
91 posts
 
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.
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albertporter OP
4,949 posts
 
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.
jc2000
92 posts
 
As for cartridges, you might take a look at Grado. There is the risk of hum, but it seems like many 78 fans are now using Grado cartridges--mainly, I think, because they make a variety of stylus sizes. They also make a special mono LP cartridge.

The Shure, however, has a lower price. However, I'm under the impression that they don't make a mono LP stylus that fits that body.

I've been doing research on 78s recently, too, and there seems to be some information on Audio Asylum.
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albertporter OP
4,949 posts
 
I was thinking two head shells and two cartridges. 78's are supposed to be wired mono and Shure makes a true mono cartridge. Not certain how each wires to the head shell or how that effects the run to the phono stage. More research yet to do.
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