A difficult LP reproduction question

I have a nice high end system and wish to add a second turntable (for fun!). The choices are likely Thorens TD124MK ll or Lenco L75. Both these are old technology and will spin 78 RPM and use idler drive.

Desire is to experiment with moving magnet cartridge, inexpensive phono stages and 78 RPM records to name but a few.

Here are but a few of the economy priced phono stages that I've been researching for the past three weeks. (Hope that explains my lack of posting lately).

Seduction
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/Seduction/seduction.htm

EAR 834P Deluxe
http://www.ear-usa.com/earproducts.htm

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE
http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ALEHBCPLUS

Antique Soundlab Mini
http://www.divertech.com/aslminiphono.htm

Musical Fidelity X-LPSv3
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/xponframeset.html

NAD PP2
http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_amplifiers/pp2_closerlook.htm

Any Audiogon member that have direct experience with any combination of these, I would appreciate your comments.

albertporter04-12-2004 4:03am

jc2000 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 92 posts 04-17-2004 at 11:49pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete As for cartridges, you might take a look at Grado. There is the risk of hum, but it seems like many 78 fans are now using Grado cartridges--mainly, I think, because they make a variety of stylus sizes. They also make a special mono LP cartridge. The Shure, however, has a lower price. However, I'm under the impression that they don't make a mono LP stylus that fits that body. I've been doing research on 78s recently, too, and there seems to be some information on Audio Asylum.