Basic information needed on correctly playing 78's

[reverendpen]

I recently purchased a VV-IV and restored it. It has a No.2 soundbox. I have been reading many of the posts in this Forum and am confused about what can/should be played on a machine like a VV-IV with steel needles and what should only be played on an electric type record player/phonograph with an electrical cartridge. I think I understand correctly that my 78s that are labeled as Orthophonic Recorded may not sound as good on my No.2 as it would on an Orthophonic soundbox and larger machine. I also understand that my 78s that are labeled as Electronic Recordings will not sound as good on my No.2 as they would played with an Orthophonic soundbox or even an electric player with cartridge and correct stylus. What I have been doing as a general rule of thumb is only playing shellac 78's on my VV-IV. I know not to play vinyl albums on the VV-IV, I have a Rega Planar 3 for my 33-⅓ and 45 record collection. This also brings up the question about the equalization curves used on 78 rpm. I am familiar with the RIAA curves for 33 ⅓ but not familiar with curves for 78 rpm. I know that a No.2 soundbox (or any acoustic soundbox) would not be able to implement the correct equalization curves, this would have to be done using an electric machine with electric cartridge and the proper EQ circuit built into the amp.

I hope my question(s) are clear. thanks for any help and pointers on this. I am so enjoying hearing music that I would never have had the chance to hear with out getting a VV-IV.

[gramophone78]

There are dozens of great and highly detailed threads on this topic. You may want to check our history to find some of these invaluable threads. I believe most (if not all) can be found in our "Music" section of the forum.
Hope this helps.

[larryh]

I had to check on line to be sure how this worked again. In pre and early LPs there was no set curve standard. Same for all 78 records. Basically the suggested setting was to boost the bass and reduce the treble till the music sounds right. (that surely must be subjective advice). Personally I usually play most of mine on the nutural settings of the amp but I think I will try the advice and see how it improves the sound.

Larry

[reverendpen]

Thanks. I will look through the history of old posts.

[Joe_DS]

... This also brings up the question about the equalization curves used on 78 rpm. I am familiar with the RIAA curves for 33 ⅓ but not familiar with curves for 78 rpm. ....

Here's a handy general reference -- http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/78rpm_playback_curves

Joe

[FloridaClay]

You are dead on that plastic records should not be played on your VV-IV. As you will see when reading other threads on this topic, the issue with shellac 78s is (as I understand it) that later ones have a softer compound that was not used back when your machine was made, so you should probably stick with pre-electrics to avoid damaging those later records. They would sound OK (although not as good as on an Orthophonic), but the weight of the reproducer is too much for them and will prematurely wear them.

Clay

[emgcr]

I apologise that this link is probably for enthusiasts right at the beginning of learning about the subject but it perhaps does no harm to be reminded of the basics.

http://www.78records.co.uk/beginer.htm

[alang]

So in short, you should not do this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1923-Brunswick- ... 6016.l4276 That Elvis Presley 78rpm record is probably toast from playing on a 1923 portable.

Andreas

[celticguitar666]

Hi before you go crazy with the EQ curves settings I have been playing 78's for quite a few years and the RIAA curve in your premap I have to say is pretty close and if you have a treble bass controls and even better a mid range control you can pretty much dial it in pretty close. I use Audacity to record and have seen what the curves look like and RIAA is very close and sometimes better. I also have to say some of the older records can use a little bass boost and treble cut especially treble cut for noise control. More important is stylus and cartridge choices for groove compliance to minimize noise and increase volume. I have just started playing Edison DD on my turntable and with the right set up you ain't heard nothing yet they blow the doors off Victor acoustics wow they music that is in those grooves.
Just my 2 cents that you don't have to spend alot of money to get good sound
Dwight

[Wolfe]

There's nothing wrong about using RIAA for casual listening, especially if you have tone controls to tailor the sound just a bit. Indeed, the RIAA curve helps reduce a lot of surface noise w/out having to go to a lot of other folderol.

If you want to make digitsl copies of your 78's and want to achieve the best results, then, bypassing RIAA and utilizing other curves matters more.