nice turntable that plays 78s


Hi guys,

I'm looking for a turntable that plays 78s as well as 33s (45 is optional though I'd guess that most tables that play the first two would play 45). Don't want to spend more than about $500, used of course. Any recommendations? Also, will I have to change the cartridge/stylus setup when moving between 33s and 78s?

Many thanks.
128x128lousyreeds1
I believe Rega still makes a 78 rpm-only version of the P3.

This might be overkill unless you have a lot of 78's.
Thorens actually has NEW tables that play 78's that are very nice and priced very nice also. See link below:

http://www.thorens.ch/THORENS/thorens.main.php?id=en_200&flash=true
Since many 78 RPM records are not actually 78 RPM, the Lenco thread here at Audiogon offer an opportunity to build a very inexpensive turntable that plays fours speeds and offers the operator the ability to infinitely vary each of those speeds.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1075644493&read&h12&zzlJohnnantais&&#rest
What's the word on the cheap Pro-ject tables that play at 78? I know they don't have variable speed, but I might be willing to give that up for the simplicity and reliability of a newer table.

Thanks for the suggestion, Albert, I'll look into that. How does the table sound, regardless of its variable speed?
Thanks for suggesting that too, Albert! Hi Lousyreeds1, let me put it this way, no one up here who has actually heard one hasn't gone out to buy one, the most recent convert being the erstwhile owner of a Sota Star Sapphire with vacuum hold-down equipped with a SME IV, who recently moved on to the Technics SP10 MKII equipped with a Rega (which he considered a major upgrade), and now having heard it is looking for a Lenco. It's a classic big idler-wheel sound (characteristic against a belt-drive context: slam, PRaT, bass, attack, focus) in the Garrard 301/401 mold, and very refined to boot, with a very fluid unstoppable sound. Many have sold their high-end belt-drives after getting into the project (and this continues), but it does require some elbow grease, unless you buy the plinth currently on sale here on Audiogon. You should set it up with a replacement tonearm to boot, as the stock tonearm seriously compromises the possibilities, which means more intervention/elbow grease. If you're looking for plug'n play, look elsewere, the other suggestions on this thread are all very good.