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Can anyone recommend a variable speed turntable? I've spotted an old Rek O Kut on eBay, but does no one make these any more?

I've found one or two, but the speed adjustment is more just an "adjustment" than anything that will go down to 68 rpm or so for the really old G&T's, etc. - and many turntables don't have 78 at all.

I restored my old Empire 598, but it's adjustment is too small, and beyond a certain point, the belt slips off the idler. Great old machine, but...

What do others have/do?

Try and find a Lenco L75 or Bogen B60 (made by Lenco) they have variable speed between 30 and 85 rpm. In the US they are becoming quite expensive now due to high demand and low availabilty, but elsewhere you can still pick up a quite nice one for under $100.
Look at this site for more information:

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php

Peter.

Probably a good condition used model would probably be your best bet.

But, I noticed that KAB USA still has a few variable speed turntables -- http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/ (Click on the record player jump near the top.)

Others can be found here -- http://soundapproach.com/turntables-c-37_107.html including a couple of new Rek-O-Kut models.

I got my Vestax turntable from Kabusa and I have been very pleased with it. It came with a stanton 500 cart fitted with a stylus to play 78rpm disks with together with a separate cart mounted with an LP stylus. It meant that using the deck for both 78's and LP's was easy as the cart could just be changed - no fiddly stylus changing! The turntable is the Kab Transcriber 2.

The speed is very variable from about 16rpm right up to about 100rpm. As there is no central stop it means that its great for centre start records too. I got the version that had been adapted by Kabusa to be able to play 16" disks. I don't know if they still do this modification? Some have said that this turntable can require frequent drive band replacement but I have had my turntable for about 4 years and it still has the original one. So this isn't an issue I would raise.

It has a pre amp built it but also at the flip of a switch a non aplified output can be obtained. For someone who wants to plug and play this is a great turntable. One observation I would make is that with the turntable adaped to play 16" disks means that when playing any disk the lid must be left up otherwise the pick up catches on the lid. I don't think this would be an issue with the unmodified version. Of course if you want to play DD's you can easily wire in a switch so that vertical cut disks can be played.

S-B-H

Numark, KAB & Rek-O-Kut all still make a range of variable speed players suitable for us record geeks
I really like the Rek-O-Kut CVS16 & the Numark TT500 3 Speed Turntables, but I think I'll eventually get a pair of KAB Transcriber II's. About the only they wont play are 20" Pathés.
The Numark's are a great TT with a widest range of speed afaik, and they're very reasonably priced imo, but the dont play 16" discs unfortunately

I haven't looked into the Vestax tt's (yet), but they sound pretty awesome too!

Someone gave me some 1960's - '70's Lenco - Bogen variable-speed turntables back when I was in high-school in the mid 1980's...

Are they worth trying to revive for playing later 78's & transcribing to digital ?

Believe they were complete and working with the exception of cartridges / stylii; perhaps they need idler wheels by now...

Was there any issue with turn-table rumble due to the idler wheel drive ?

De Soto Frank wrote:Someone gave me some 1960's - '70's Lenco - Bogen variable-speed turntables back when I was in high-school in the mid 1980's...

Are they worth trying to revive for playing later 78's & transcribing to digital ?

Believe they were complete and working with the exception of cartridges / stylii; perhaps they need idler wheels by now...

Was there any issue with turn-table rumble due to the idler wheel drive ?

I'm not sure how much money you want to spend but these are fantastic starting around $300.

These Bogen/Lenco turntables are about the best you can get. They were made to last forever with proper care (ie lubrication of the motor and main bearing) and are still out-performing $1000 plus modern machines. Try to get one, change the idler wheel from plastic and PVC to a metal one with rubber and you should be safe for the next 20+ years.
You can change speed between 30 and 85 rpm and they are rock steady.Those modern plastic machines last for 10 years at the very best and still don't sound as well.

Thanks, all. With the website you've given me, I've tracked down some very good-looking turntables. Now the questions I need to answer are how much do I want to spend, and how many neat gizmos's do i want added on! More the merrier... Atg this pojnt, the Rek-O-Kut Rondine 3 looks most likely to drag my Visa bill to a higher level.