I just finished modding my Onkyo CP-1011F to run at 78rpm and am enjoying a Columbia Masterworks album of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms (3 12in 78's). Does anyone else here listen to this stuff (78's)? If so, are there any reccomendations for listening procedure?

Still do on occasion. Be sure to use a 3 mil 78 stylus. Most manufacturers offer them for their cartridges. A .7 mil stylus will just get knocked around in the grooves of a 78 and be damaged. Also having a true mono cartridge is beneficial. (Many still being made by Shure and others.) You can also reduce a lot of surface noise by switching to mono on your amp or pre-amp. And remember that 78's mastered before the 50's do not have RIAA equalization. There were several eq curves in effect back then, so you may want to use a parametric equalizer to obtain the best fidelity. Curious...did Columbia spell his name "Strawinsky"? It was a common misspelling by them back then.

No, it's correctly spelled.

I have a few thousand 78's that I enjoy. Celt's comments about stylus size and correct EQ are right on the money.

I audio restore my 78's before listening. I use restoration software from Diamond Cut (http://www.diamondcut.com/). I use their DC6 Live product.

I record the 78 without any EQ (flat), then apply the correct rollover point using presets defined in the software's paragraphic equalizer. I also record using the correct speed, if known. For instance, Pathe discs were recorded at 80rpm. I then use filters to remove impulse noise, the clicks and crackle. This may take several passes with the filter settings changed to eliminate clicks of various sizes and durations. The software allows for a lot of adjustment to allow the maximum correction without introducing distortion. I then run a continuous noise filter to remove hiss. The software allows you to sample a silent area, such as run in, to get a fingerprint of the noise, then apply this fingerprint to the entire file. It also has an adaptive filter which will automatically adjust.

Many 78's have distortion in the louder passages and this software has a dynamic filter which will in many instances eliminate the distortion.

It's amazing to hear a properly EQ'd, restored 78. There was a lot of information captured that earlier players just couldn't reproduce. When I listen to the restoration, I realize the record is sounding better than it ever did.

Doug

Yes, I agree that many of the old 78 recordings have surprisingly amazing fidelity. Guess they knew what they were doing back then, eh?

We listen to a lot of 78's...we usually use a Garrard turntable with a GE magnetic cartridge and we also use Gates broadcast turntables with Stanton cartridges and 78 RPM styli.

I think Strawinsky vs. Stravinsky may be because it perhaps is a transliteration from Russian? and in German phonetics they would spell the "V" sound with a "W" whereas in English phonetics we would spell the "V" sound as "V"...hence the difference in spelling.

I have a couple of thousand 78s and I really enjoy them. I am currently using a GE VRII with a 3 mil stylus on a Garrard AT60 and a friend of mine gave me a Dual 1219 which needs a good cleaning and lube but it does work. I am thinking of using it exclusively for recording 78s to my computer. I am considering a Shure or a Stanton cartridge for it. I came with a Pickering with a 3mil stylus but it looks shot. I haven't done any recording of 78s, just LPs and 45s and for these I use Cool Edit Pro and Nero. I'm not sure how these will work with 78s, especially in the area of equalization but experimentation is half the fun. The best part is there is music and such that you will not find anywhere.

When I was a wee tot, we had an Imperial integrated tube amp that had a rollover control for the phono and tape head inputs. It was cool that you could choose different eq curves for RIAA, London-Decca, NAB, 78 (wonder which one?), etc. Not that this helps what we are discussing...I just felt compelled to throw it in. :D

I use a Gramophone when playing my 78's. Not too often, it is a hassle having to wind it every time. Back in the old days they probably took turns (just my guess). I use a rolled up pair of socks to control volume. This one's my favorite:

We listen to 78's on our Wurlitzer 1015.

Terry

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q187/TWantiques/IMG_0410.jpg

I have around 100 78's,mostly Jazz,big band,and crooners,but with some classical sets thrown in.I use my 1219 with a stanton 500 with their 78 stylus.I also hit the high filter to reduce the noise.Im going to have to try that restoration software.My dream is to someday have every Bob Wills and Louis Jordan 78.I have a few dozen Jordans already.
Jimmy