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Tonearms for reference 78 RPM system Technics SP-10R

Seeking some feedback from all of you audio experts on a quandry I'm finding myself in as I build a new reference-level system. I specialize in transfer and restoration of 78 RPM records from the 1920s. While they don't exactly have the frequency range of modern LPs, I'm sure they still benefit from a good system. Assume the rest of my setup is as optimal as it can be with respect to components.

78s require numerous cartridges with swappable stylii in a range from 1.5 to 4 mil. I have a few different carts: Shure M44, Shure M75, Shure V15 mk Vx. They need a medium mass arm and usually track between 2.5 and 4 grams, usually around 3. The stylii are medium to low compliance.

I prefer using a 12" arm or something that mounts far enough away to be able to play 16" records. I also need to be able to adjust the arm height, ideally being able to raise the arm above the spindle to recenter records that are pressed off-center.

I've been debating for the last week what to do about a tonearm. I hate to have to upgrade again someday, but I don't exactly have 10 grand lying around to drop on the best. I could probably do it if I sell of a lot of things and live like a pauper, relatively speaking, for a while. I'm considering the following:

SME 3012-R: Relatively easy to find, medium price ~$2k, would fit on my plinth's armboard without re-drilling holes.
SME 312S: Will need to wait months for one to turn up on the used market or pay a crazy price
Kuzma 4Point 14": Seems like the correct answer, but obscenely expensive at <$10k. 
Kuzma Ref 313: Seems like a nice second-place option
Other Kuzma arms with VTA towers: Mount too closely to play 16" records :'(
Jelco TK750L/850/950: The 750 seems OK but just decent. 850 and 950 pretty hard to find.
TruGlider: Seems somewhat promising, but not sure I'm quite sold.

Seeking opinions on what's the most cost-effective arm solution buck-for-buck for my needs. I've seen others, too, but they haven't made the list. The Kuzmas look great, and I'll have to suck it up when it comes to swapping headshells. A lot of nice arms don't have removable headshells, which is a dealbreaker. The Kuzma you can at least swap them out but need to unplug and replug leads. Thanks!
mke246

Showing 10 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I belive the Miyajima cartridge for 78 rpm is a must if you want some magic. And Fidelity-Research FR-64s or Lustre GST-801 tonearm.

If you want to continue with MM cartridges with styli for 78rpm the best tonearm for them in my opinion is Technics EPA-100 or EPA-100 mk2.

Off-centered record can be centered only by moving a record itself on the platter, you can’t fix this problem with tonearm, you can only move your record (expand its spindle hole if necessary) until your arm does not move left and right in the groove while playing.


It’s easier to fix it on 45rpm singles, because the hole is bigh enough to move the record 3-5mm off (without adapter).  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Miyajima available with different size of the styli for different 78rpm records. It is a true mono cartridge. You need heavy tonearm for this cartridge this is why FR and Lustre are recommended.


The FR-64s seems good but a bit quirky and demanding of a certain setup, being heavy. It seems like it has its own sound and isn’t the most neutral.

I have 64s with b60, 64fx with N60, 66fx with Ikeda VTA, Lustre GST-801 and all those Technics tonearms. They are all amazing tonearms.

but tonearm must be matched to your cartridge and mono are low compliance cartridges, you need heavy tonearm, the FR is one of the heaviest tonearms.

Regarding modern tonearm I can recommend Reed 3p "12 inch for your SP-10R drive. Or you can buy Thomas Schick "12 inch tonearm for much less money, it was designed for low compliance carts and nice for the money.

Kuzma tonearms are so ugly in my opinion.

The Technics EPA-100s sound great overall, but possibly lacking in bass. I saw one reviewer rank it above the SME V, which is a high compliment. Overall, I’m still far from decided...


You have SP-10R turntable, why do you think Technics reference tonearm like EPA-100 mkII that cost nearly $3k "lacking in bass"? In my opinion this is the best tonearm you can get for your MM carts. For less money you can find NOS EPA-100 (not mk2).



chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I have to say the arm that comes with the mew Technics tables is no slouch just because it is Technics. Its very good.

I think the OP has only DRIVE (SP-10R) without new Technics tonearm.

Personally I wouldn’t mount ’9inch tonearms near this drive, only ’10.5 or ’12 inch.

*My best recommendations: Reed 3P ’12 inch or FR-66fx

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
It’s a matter of personal taste, I don’t like SME tonearms, but it’s just me.

I really like Technics EPA-100 and EPA-100 mk2 tonearms with MM cartridges.

I like Lustre GST-801 and all my FR tonearms with low compliance MC cartridges.

And Reed 3p is fantastic arm, but the most expensive ~ €5000 retail price for “12inch version with best wires.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
LOL
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Dover you need some pi**s, really. I don’t sell any of the arms I have mentioned, but that’s what I use myself. I’m on the forum to read about affordable and great vintage hi-fi gear, but most of the contributors lost their interest to post about it (even Nandric lost his interest to post on audiogon).

I’m not interested to read about belt drive toys or some overpriced modern high-end at all, all the information about modern high-end available from professional reviews. If you can post something interesting about analog gear I have mentioned plz post, but you are nothing but a retired dealer (and you said it yourself many times). So ? 
I will “promote” great analog gear as long as I wish too, hope it will help people (audio enthusiasts) to find an alternative to stuff heavily promoted by the industry today. 

If you don’t own SP-10R you probably forgot that 30 years ago when you briefly tried SP-10 mk2 or mk3 it was hard to mount any ‘9 inch tonearm near the metal chassis of this drive without moving the arm too much forward. Steve Dobbins (plinth maker and dealer) told me the same, he was a dealer of Reed in USA for some time. I post the images of my SP10mk2 with many tonearms, I’m wondering how many tonearms did you try on SP-10mk2 or mk3 and when? Any owner of SP-10R (or older models) will tell you why Technics EPA-100 is ‘10.5 inch, a ‘12 inch arm is even better for this square chassis. I’ve been using SP-10 mk2 with many tonearms! A short arm is aesthetically the worst choice for SP-10R even if technically long arm may be not better than short arm, the problem is the size of the Technics chassis , not the size of tonearm.

Regarding SME of any king I already posted my opinion, really not my kind of tonearms (no matter what model).

Interesting that Miyajima designer recommended vintage SAEC tonearms for his cartridges! SAEC was Japanese answer to British SME.

Lewis, all my 78rpm are 10 inch.

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I gave up, I know nothing about 16 inch 78rpm record, I don't have any of them. They are bugger than Technics SP-10R platter! 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Definitely too heavy for EPA tonearm, but Technics made additional ring weight for superheavy cartridges.

I think the limit normally SPU weight (30 - 32g) for Lustre, but only with ring weight and heavy counterweight (if you can find a NOS sample then there must be two different counterweights and additional ring weight).

Another great tonearm is Victor UA-7082 with subweight for SPU carts. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Thomas Schick "12 inch tonearm (great price). It was nice in my system before I bought Reed. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
So you bought the most expensive tonearm :) I’m sure you will be fine with any low compliance cartridge on your 66s, I have 66fx. 

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