Best 33/45/78 rpm turntable

bosell -- Wed, 03/31/2010 - 21:48

I've just come to possession of a sizable vinyl collection that includes hundreds of 78's, many of which are of great interest to me. My dealer can help me with a phono stage (all the way up to the Boulder, if need be) but does not carry a table that can handle 78's. What is the best turntable/arm /cartridge combo to do this? I'm guessing that I'll probably need something with two arms/cartridges to handle mono records in an optimal manner. All I can google are some Technics lookalikes and while I risk sounding like a snob I don't want anything like that. Way back when I still had analog, those tables plain sucked. Can those Lyra mono cartridges also handle 78's? I've never had a 78 rpm playback system before. FWIW, I usually prefer the sound of nonsuspended tables.
TIA

rossop -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 06:07

If you don't mind manually changing the belt every time you want to change speeds see if you cant get your hands on a Simon Yorke S7. It is a rigid design. It employs the KISS principle. All you have to do is change the oil every couple of years and it will last longer than you. I bought one about 5 years ago that was built in 1998 and found it to be excellent. I play mainly 33s with a few 45s as well. It does 78s too so if you want to play them mainly its a case of just 'set and forget'.
I have never played 78s but I am quite sure you need a special cartridge.

bosell -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 16:50

Thank you, Simon Yorke seems to be it. I'm surprised that Google completely failed me on SY or perhaps SY failed me on Google.

The S7 is discontinued but the S10 seems like its successor with three adjustable speed ranges. Impressive looking stuff and I'm about to order one somehow although I'm not too enthusiastic about their US reps.

This site seems to treat me as spam 9 out of 10 times but hopefully this goes through.

Thanks again!

bosell -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 17:51

Since I'm apparently not spam *today*. I found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQrXvYZv1zQ

And while I still really like the products without having heard them, Mr. Yorke does his best to completely turn me away. To sum it up, he's full of it. :-)

rossop -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 19:09

Thanks for the YouTube link. Its true that Mr. Simon Yorke is a bofin with very unflinching views. I run an SME series V arm on my S7. SY is not impressed at all. Only his tone arm is good enough for his TT. I respect his opinion but I bought the S7 armless. The SME arm is very good when you don't use any lateral damping, in my opinion.
If you have plenty of money there are many options. His new S10 is one. Be prepared to pay half up front and the rest on completion which would be about three months I think. His tables would represent good value in the second hand market I believe.
Good luck with whatever you come up with.

bosell -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 19:45

That's funny. I remember from my vinyl days that the SME V was considered one of the best tonearms in existence along with the Graham and the Triplanar (at least in the US). I'll keep an eye on the used market as well. Meanwhile, I read Mr. Yorke's piece on his Aeroarm and while it looks impressive he has already talked me out of it forever. Who would pay for a PITA regardless of how good it sounds? I have a friend with the Kuzma air arm and it is pretty much set and forget according to the owner. Of course you have to remember the compressor every time.

Peter Ayer (not verified) -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 17:39

You could also consider the SME 20 or SME 30. I think their new motor control units include 78 rpm.

bosell -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 17:54

Thanks! Apparently my dealer is out of touch with his product lines. I think I have to check out Youtube for any stupid SME videos now. ;-)

Jim Hannon -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 20:12

The new Clearaudio tables with DC motors have 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm capability at the push of a button, including the New Clearaudio Concept.

I can recommend the Clearaudio Innovation Wood ($10K). It does not have a suspension, but uses two (yes, two) separate Panserholz plinths, a large Delrin-type platter, and a DC motor with optical speed controll. It's speed/pitch stability is as good as it gets in a belt drive table.

Jim Hannon -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 20:17

While I love the suspended SME 20 (particularly the 20/12) and SME 30 'tables, the elastomer suspended SME 10 also has 78 speed capability.

bosell -- Mon, 04/05/2010 - 21:11

Thanks! So both SME and Clearaudio have 78 rpm..I feel like an idiot now. It is time to have a talk with my dealer and discuss where his priorities lie. I'm starting to think that Basis is the only turntable without 78rpm...

Jim Hannon -- Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:26

At least one of the Pro-ject turntables also has 78rpm---the Xtension.
The RM 10.1 and RM9.2 DO NOT.

Jobsdone -- Tue, 04/13/2010 - 19:40

Is a Lenco variable speed turntable worth mentioning here? Solid as a rock, deathly quiet and most amenable to changing arms and cartridges as needed. I may be a bit coarse as I have used mine for 38 years for certain analog platters.

Regards,
Jobsdone