78rpm Shellac Record Player

[Record Player]

Gents - I've got about 70-80 extremely rare 78rpm Shellac Records. Never heard them even once and I don't intend to listen to them with my current Akai TT.

Having said this, I would like to have a dedicated record player to play me 78rpms with a decent ceramic cart. Please can you advise a player that I can look at to play these 78rpms. Prefrably a player that gives best/good output for 78s. Something not very expensive as well.

Looking forward to your views and suggestions.

 

[Saket]

Hello RP,

You can go for old HMV or Philips players. They should not cost you more than 2K-3K for stereo players including the speakers. (The speakers mostly came as a set for such players).

Mono HMV players can be had for less than 2K IMO. They have ceramic carts.

Obviously, if you want to go a grand way, you could look for a Gramophone, but that's entirely different way to ingress I think

Regards,
Saket

 

[reubensm]

HMV has sentimental value but if you really want to enjoy your shellac, then there is only one real option and that is Garrard. IMO, stay away from Philips. Garrard TTs have motors with relatively high torque and pack and punch at 78rpm.

 

[tek]

I am in the same position. I have about 80 shellac records I cannot play. I have a lenco that can play 78 rpm and I ordered a new head shell and will soon be getting a 78 cart. But I just found out I will need a new phono stage for 78. Is this true? Anyone know any good options?

Edit: just realised this was already replied to previously in the other thread!

 

[ANILKUMAR]

Go for Garrard.

 

[hemantwaghe]

I have garrd SP25MKii - Idler Drive 3 speed - with Flippable cart - Hosed in wooden suitcase like bag
PM of interested

 

[reubensm]

Garrard SP25MKII is a lovely turntable, my father used the SP25 MK1 which is now doing duty with a fellow forum member. Lovely turntables.

However from a 78rpm perspective, IMO what a lovely nostalgic experience it would be if you listen to 78rpm records on a monophonic Garrard record changer. Its really lovely to watch your record stack play sequentially. The issue I faced while playing 78s on my dad's SP25 was that every 3 minutes or so, I'd have to get up and flip the record. Hence I had to sit near the turntable and could not relax on my listening couch Lazy me!!

 

[hemantwaghe]

Garrard SP25MKII is a lovely turntable, my father used the SP25 MK1 which is now doing duty with a fellow forum member. Lovely turntables.

However from a 78rpm perspective, IMO what a lovely nostalgic experience it would be if you listen to 78rpm records on a monophonic Garrard record changer. Its really lovely to watch your record stack play sequentially. The issue I faced while playing 78s on my dad's SP25 was that every 3 minutes or so, I'd have to get up and flip the record. Hence I had to sit near the turntable and could not relax on my listening couch Lazy me!!

Thanks Reuben

BTW I Gave choices!!

I have Garrard changer too - Model 50 - fitted with stereo cart though
it is housed in a bog suitcase like box - transporting will be bit expensive..

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

However from a 78rpm perspective, IMO what a lovely nostalgic experience it would be if you listen to 78rpm records on a monophonic Garrard record changer. Its really lovely to watch your record stack play sequentially.

I grew up with a Radiogram and Garrard was one of the first words I learnt to read (another was Electrolux ...from the fridge!). The autochanger does save work, but they are not kind to records, causing wear to the central hole, and dropping them on one another as they play.

Our radiogram was dead and gone by 1960-something, so I have no idea what the deck would have been, but we're talking needles, not styluses. And, of course, 78rpm only.