Electrical playback of 78s

[mjbarnes]

Apologies for asking about modern playback equipment here but I am sure I have seen such questions in past. I just bought an Audio-Technica turntable, mostly to play my LPs. It has a toggle switch for PHONO or LINE -- phono is to be used if plugging into the phono port of an amplifier, and line if plugging into an auxiliary port. It seems to me the phono setting presumes the adjustment curve for LP will be done by the amplifier. If I was to select phono and plug into the auxiliary port, that should be a straight-line throughput -- more or less correct for old 78s. Am I reasoning correctly here? Advice and suggestions appreciated as always.

[gramophone-georg]

Only thing I could advise is to try it. I would always opt for a setup with a "Mono/ Stereo" switch though. The problem I have found with these old 78s on a modern stereo is that you get surface noise in stereo and the actual sound signal as sort of a center channel. You'd be surprised at how much a mono switch option will calm the noise.

Which cartridges and styli are you using? Are you sure that the toggle switch between 'phono' and 'line' isn't a built in preamp?

[mjbarnes]

Thanks. It is exactly a built-in preamp, if switched to the LINE side and plugged into the auxiliary. I have tried it. Trouble with my idea is, sound is very quiet. I only tried it on an LP.

I don't have a 78 cartridge yet. What do you suggest?

[Jmcmahan67]

I use the Audio-Technica VMN95SP and it works great. It a 3.0 Mil Conical Stylus that you can get on Amazon for $62.

John

[drh]

I reviewed a cartridge sold for 78s here: https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/vessel_78cart_e.html

The article includes links to sound and video samples.