Slightly O/T - Any suggestions on 78rpm Turntables?

[transformingArt]

I recently discarded my turntable I've used for transferring my records so far - it was a cheap Numark PT-01 turntable. I got this some 7 years ago and used it until it finally bit the dust about two months ago. It was okay for me to use, although the sound quality wasn't that great.

I still have my HMV 102 and Japanese Victor Victrola J1-50 to play most of my 78s, but I definitely need some good turntable for transferring these records into MP3 files (plus, I have lots of vinyl pressings which I can't play on my acoustic machines!) Although it would be not the same as playing real records on old machines, I can carry my MP3 player anywhere and play the selection wherever I want.

What I am looking right now is a reasonably-priced turntable with a built-in pre-amp and possibly a USB port; as I don't have a separate Pre-amp system. And it would be much better if it has the "export voltages", as we Koreans use 220V powers. So I'm asking all of you, any suggestions about this?

P.S.
I actually tried to look for a Vestax BDT-2600 which would be perfect for me to use, but it seems the model was discontinued quite a while ago - anybody who has this and willing to sell this, I would be very glad.

[syncopeter]

Probably the best table is the Lenco L75, but that has no built in pre-amp. You should be able to connect it directly to the microphone entry to your computer. And with a free program like Audacity you can set the correct EQ curve. It is a bit more work, but an L75 will run at any speed between 14 and 85 rpm, therefore covering 95% of all discs ever made. Some early Pathé discs need to be played at up to 105 rpm, but there is no current record player that is able to run that fast. I've got a highly modified Garrard player that will up to 110 rpm, but with an L75 with a 3.0 mil stylus you can play almost every shellac disc ever made. That 3.0 mil stylus is quite important. Many companies only had a 2.5 or 2.8 sized diamond (the standard for 16" broadcasting lacquer discs), but that is too small for a normal commercial 78. It sinks too deep in the groove, resulting in a lot of unnecessary extra noise. A correct sized diamond makes a uge difference. Way more music and way less 'surface' noise. Many if not all of these USB tables use an exaggarated RIAA curve, which is totally incorrect for 78s. The bass is far too strong, there is hardly any mid range and the treble is way too loud, resulting in a booming sound, that is nowhere near to what was originally intended

[WDC]

Whatever you select, I highly recommend to choose one with an SME compatible headshell connector. With the countless number of different records I often switch between different pickups. SME headshells are the defacto standard and will allow a quick and easy change. I also use a different pickup for the few vinyls I have.

The one I have is pretty much this style, an inexpensive MKII style: http://amzn.to/OoWb0v

I am not a fan of those USB junk features at all. They usually come with the cheapest low-quality A/D converter one could imagine. However, they also have the ordinary analog output jacks, so it's not a big deal.

The Vestax 2600 does also use SME headshells, so that would have been a good choise too. I still see shops listed at Google who claim to have this one: http://bit.ly/LhgoUI

[transformingArt]

Probably the best table is the Lenco L75, but that has no built in pre-amp. You should be able to connect it directly to the microphone entry to your computer.

I heard about Lenco L75 turntables and lots of people I know have recommended that before. It wouldn't be a big problem to connect it to my computer - I have done it with my earlier turntable as well. BTW, somebody I know also have recommended a Califone 12V-9 "Director" model - what do you think about this?

The one I have is pretty much this style, an inexpensive MKII style: http://amzn.to/OoWb0v

I haven't thought about this, but I have seen this before and heard about this machine many times. Thanks for letting me know about this and I'll certainly think about this one.

I am not a fan of those USB junk features at all. They usually come with the cheapest low-quality A/D converter one could imagine.

That's exactly what was installed on my old turntable - that sucked. I eventually ended up connecting the analog jacks into my computer.

The Vestax 2600 does also use SME headshells, so that would have been a good choise too. I still see shops listed at Google who claim to have this one: http://bit.ly/LhgoUI

Thanks for letting me know about Google Shopping! One more thing - what kind of cartridges/stylus do you use on your AT turntable?

[Valecnik]

I bought one from these guys a few years back. http://www.esotericsound.com/

They come with a vertical/lateral switch which was very important to me for playing diamond discs. I don't know how they compare to others but I'm very happy with it.

[WDC]

One more thing - what kind of cartridges/stylus do you use on your AT turntable?

For old records I prefer the Stanton 500. Styli of very different kinds are available they are more robust than any other brands. The original Stanton D5127 stylus for 78s has only 2.7 mil tip radius and I have to agree that 3 mil is the best universal size to work with. I have been buying the generic 3 mil ones by Pfanstiehl from a dealer in Brooklyn for a very reasonable price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/270160661494

I also have a Sure M75-6S which I mostly use for vinyl along with an elliptical shaped stylus (makes a world of difference compared to spherical).

One of the latest 78rpm pickups is the Shure M78S, which however cannot recommend. The stylus works only well with 50s records but is not a good option for earlier ones. Plus it gets so easily damaged when you are trying to change it. I trashed two of them within the first 2 weeks I had it.It is also intended to work with a weight of only 3 grams.

Stanton styli can handle up to 7 grams, which is very useful with earlier records. As far as I know, the Stanton 500.V3 is basically the same thing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/300718014681

[tomwil]

I use a Stanton T92 turntable, which includes the built-in preamp, USB outputs, and Stanton 500.V3 cartridge. I purchased the 3mil Pfanstiehl 4604-D3 stylus from here.

According to the Stanton T92 manual, it can operate on 220V. And, the turntable can be found relatively cheap used.