Playing 78s properly (updated)
Added 2023-04-01 17:13:47 +0000 UTCFor this video I set myself the simple task of assembling a decent quality 78rpm shellac record player at the lowest price.
I’ll probably need to take another pass at the editing on this one, but I wanted to get something out for you before the weekend was over and that clock was ticking.
I hope the audio in this doesn't attract any content matches, if that happens the video won't really have any purpose. It'd be like editing the dinosaurs out of Jurassic park.
I hope you’re well. Thank you so much for being here and have a good one.
UPDATE:
Looking at the comments posted so far, the number one issue regards a lack of discussion about RIAA equalisation. So before the video goes live, I’ve returned to it and added in a section explaining why equalisation wasn’t one of my concerns when putting together a minimal budget setup like this.
I’ve also added in a couple of other bits here and there to clear up other potential concerns.
The new version is the one embedded and linked to above.
Comments
Unfortunately I didn't store a recording of it and the 78 setup is stored away at the moment. However some other people have uploaded a version to youtube and I think it sounds better than mine - mine had some sibilance https://youtu.be/kFFuo0pFtAA
Techmoan
2023-06-25 10:09:50 +0000 UTCCould you upload your transfer of this tune to a non-monetized channel? I found the song on a CD but I found the quality underwhelming compared with what I've heard from your copy here.
Arthur Robillard
2023-06-25 01:07:23 +0000 UTCI’m glad you noticed. I was using some new camera equipment for the first time. I’ll talk more about it in the next update.
Techmoan
2023-04-12 20:24:56 +0000 UTCI really appreciate the camera work on the last demonstration, so many different angles - so relaxing
Ludwig Kormann
2023-04-12 18:36:24 +0000 UTCIt's a very kind offer, however I feel they'd be too problematic for you to ship. As you'll know they're quite fragile and once you've gone to the trouble of packing them all up to survive the postal system it'd be more trouble than they're worth. But thanks again - it's much appreciated.
Techmoan
2023-04-12 16:06:47 +0000 UTCMat - watched your fascinating video on 78rpm records. As I've said before I volunteer in a charity shop (Age UK) and sometimes we get 78s donated - but, understandably, no one buys them. I've tried selling them online - even to the experts - but apparently they aren't rare enough, even though some are pre-release copies. Would you like them? Seems they can't be recycled either, so land-fill? The last lot came in their own Columbia 'Record Album' (as you know, that's where the word 'Album' came from), with some records over 100 years old. A great place to keep your 78s safe. There are 11 in all, some are marked 'not for sale' and 4 of them are 1 sided (with the record label's emblem embossed on the back!). Let me know if you are interested. Andy
AhhhhhSoul
2023-04-12 10:20:00 +0000 UTCI haven’t managed to find any regular ones yet - I haven’t been looking though. The last time I did there were a couple of bible records in the US. Most of the 16rpm discs will have been talking books for the blind and will have been loaned out rather than purchased. I have played some 16 2/3rpm background music records in my Seeburg 1000 video.
Techmoan
2023-04-11 09:35:59 +0000 UTCI'm curious if you have any experience with 16 RPM records? I remember record players when I was very young having a switch for four speeds - 16, 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPMs. I never got a chance to hear either of those speeds (properly, of course), but years later, when briefly I worked in radio, I was told that with tape (which stored most of the music at the time), the faster reels went, the better the recording, as there was more tape storing the sound. Conversely, with vinyl, the SLOWER the speed, the better the sound, because ... I'm not sure, to be honest.
Timothy Kepple
2023-04-09 18:10:33 +0000 UTCI get to see the bits that aren't working and do my best to fix them before the video goes live. It's usually things I'm not at all interested in that turn out to be the talking points. If I go back and add a section to clarify why I'm not interested in talking about something, it tends to help.
Techmoan
2023-04-08 10:57:27 +0000 UTCI just watched the public YouTube final edit version and it's so great getting access to your work in progress versions as a Patreon member because you get to see a production from start to finish and appreciate the huge amount of work it takes to create a quality video! Good work! :)
Sina Farhat
2023-04-08 09:48:13 +0000 UTCWell, that was far more interesting than I thought it might be! :-) Thanks, Mat.
Stephen Bell
2023-04-08 09:15:58 +0000 UTCThe capacitor goons will probably freak out about Mat using a Rifa capacitor, too, because those tend to let out the magic smoke after about 35 years of use.
VWestlife
2023-04-07 14:42:37 +0000 UTCBAD CAPACITORS is so blown out of proportion. The wiper on those pots tend to form a minor divot just by being parked. A spray on those pots, a work back and forth, and adjusting to pitch would have sorted you out without splashing out for an overpriced set of components. That said, I love what you do and I always enjoy poring over gear with you. I feel like I'm working with you. Cheers, Mat.
Patrick Walsh
2023-04-07 06:27:26 +0000 UTCYes I saw SP being used and thought I must be out of the loop on this one. I wondered if it was Standard Play, Short Play even Shellac Play or something else entirely and not even Play.
Techmoan
2023-04-06 07:04:05 +0000 UTCFYI, I've noticed that Japanese manufacturers refer to 78s as SP records (Standard Play). So if you're looking for a 3 mil stylus for Audio-Technica cartridges, for example, it's not advertised as a 78 RPM stylus -- they call it an SP stylus.
VWestlife
2023-04-05 23:51:12 +0000 UTCThanks for that - I'm going to do a bit more reading up about this.
Techmoan
2023-04-05 10:19:31 +0000 UTCThanks Matt. One suggestion is that the Cheaper turntables that use the cheap ceramic cartridge the stylus is an STY146 which is available with a 78 tip. This will make 78 records sound much better. However not all 78 tip versions of the sty146 are the same so trial would be needed.
Stephen
2023-04-04 17:26:41 +0000 UTCYou can get weird phantom stereo effects especially from clicks, ideally you’ll want a click to come out of both speakers to reduce distraction
Techmoan
2023-04-04 12:53:13 +0000 UTCI can’t tell the difference between the version with the mono converter and without. Both came out of both channels. What am I missing?
Gadgetman
2023-04-04 12:50:14 +0000 UTCA brilliant job of doing that all live - I’d have needed days to shoot it and dozens of takes. I also can’t help but think of the masses of wiring into mixers going on around the back. Thursdays were always the best night of TV, I used to look forward to Tomorrows World more than any other show.
Techmoan
2023-04-04 10:50:51 +0000 UTCSaw this and thought of you tacking stuff down on eBay immediately https://youtu.be/EPD1IKC3myA
Dvdmike
2023-04-04 09:17:57 +0000 UTCThere are a lot of equalization curves for different labels. RIAA does not fit either very well. For example, treble is far too low for most (all?) records. You should get a preamplifier with at least a "78" curve. I have one and at least the sound from 50's records can be superb! You will get some extra pops and crackles, but it is worth it. https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/78rpm_playback_curves#table_1
Jonas Elofsson
2023-04-04 08:31:17 +0000 UTCYou might like this.. a museum in Liverpool playing some 78rpm records rescued from a German U-boat that (somehow) ended up in Birkenhead. https://youtu.be/1RtOpoiZ5T8
Jimmy Mounsey
2023-04-03 19:49:46 +0000 UTCI’d forgotten all about that. I had to Google the name to remind me what it was. I’m not too sure where I‘ve put it, but I doubt it’d be any use.
Techmoan
2023-04-03 17:04:29 +0000 UTCDid you test if the Pro-Ject NRS Box has any better effect on 78s now that you have a proper setup for playing them?
VWestlife
2023-04-03 16:40:56 +0000 UTCI’ve only got a handful of 78 records at the moment, so unfortunately there’s perhaps one I could use in the video. I feel that I have some more somewhere, but it’s just as likely that I’m imagining this.
Techmoan
2023-04-03 15:44:02 +0000 UTCI am actually quite surprised that you got that much of a decent sound from an ASCH record. The ASCH record was a "bottom of the barrel", "el cheapo" record label that used out of alignment cutting machines and terrible pressing job done through various contractors in Mexico, often at the factories specializing in making military clothing plastic buttons and fasteners. I think the reason why this one alone does not have a YouTube content match is that NONE of the ASCH recordings were deemed profitable by any modern right holders due to their mediocre sound quality and the lack of any "famous" talents on the label. In my personal experience, a good mid-1930s American Victor classical music 78rpm record almost always yield an amazing sound quality due to their "Z shellac" compound, famous for their almost silent surface. A more common option suitable for you will be of any Indian HMV pressings of the 1920s and 30s (pressed either in Calcutta or Dum-Dum) are also quite famous for their silent surfaces, mainly due to their more pure shellac compound.
Jihoon Suk
2023-04-03 15:35:31 +0000 UTCFantastic video, as always. I really appreciate what you have done for all people out there. As you know, I was the one who helped you a bit with the original HMV 102 video and as an archivist / enthusiast of 78rpm records who plays them practically every day, I think you did a sublime job explaining this topic. Very well done, and also proud of being one of the many Patreon members who support your channel.
Jihoon Suk
2023-04-03 15:21:48 +0000 UTCHa! Aldi, here is Australia, had a 3-spd turntable for sale only a couple of weeks ago. Don't worry, I didn't buy! 😉 https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-18-march/saturday-detail-wk11/ps/p/turntable-with-speakers-1/
Craig Lemon
2023-04-03 03:39:07 +0000 UTCInteresting as always! I didn't know 78s were so different!
Erik Granlund
2023-04-03 00:44:05 +0000 UTCGood info on the 78s and a great show as usual. Now I know whys dad’s old Gerrard had a flippable stylus, he just told us the 78 position was for ‘old’ records. My little brother and I thought the 78 speed on our suitcase player was for laughs, guaranteed to make any of our records into a Chipmunk concert LOL. Great fun back then but not audiophile approved!
Freeman Connell
2023-04-03 00:23:13 +0000 UTCThis was immensely informative!!
Erin Hendricks
2023-04-02 23:35:10 +0000 UTCI didn’t want to combine them, although this headphone amp could do that - but by unplugging one of the wires I recorded both the R and the L separately as a two channel output and there very little difference to my ears although one of the recordings seemed to have a few less clicks. Audio Technica suggest something along these lines too … “AT-VM95SP, as stereo cartridge for SP mono records, when used with a dedicated archiving phono preamplifierequalizer incorporating various functions to generate a mono signal from Stereo inputs (Mono L+R, Mono L, Mono R, LR Variable Mix) allows professional archivers to minimize noise and distortion by sampling the least damage side of the grooves from an old record.”
Techmoan
2023-04-02 20:52:12 +0000 UTCFYI about headphones and headphone adapters with a mono/stereo switch: they usually don't combine the left and right channels when switched to mono, they just take only the left channel and put it in both channels. So you might want to check for that. A cheaper option is to simply connect the white and red terminals of the phono cartridge with a small piece of wire (or even a paper clip!), to combine the channels right at the source. (And you thought computer hardware was confusing to configure!?)
VWestlife
2023-04-02 20:43:03 +0000 UTCWhere's the fun in that?
OzRetrocomp
2023-04-02 19:40:11 +0000 UTCInteresting video. But the question I keep asking myself is: why not just use a regular 33/45 record player, swap the stylus for a proper 78 rpm compatible one, perform the recording at 33 or 45 rpm and then increase the recorded music by 78/33 or 78/45?
Paul Schuur
2023-04-02 19:36:52 +0000 UTCMany of those Music systems used the same BSR or Garrard decks which back then were a standard size. Do a search and you can find Sony ones which were sold new with Garrard Decks. Most had a 16RPM setting but like you I have never seen a record. Mat thinks they were for Talking Bible Studies.
Duncan
2023-04-02 18:24:11 +0000 UTCHoly carp. When I was a kid, we had a Garrard (I think) turntable that had the flipover deal! I remember you had to do that to play some really old (even 50 years ago!) 78-rpm story records aimed at kids. The flipper showed green or red depending if you were on the 78 side or the LP side (forget which color was which speed).
Peter Laws
2023-04-02 17:56:49 +0000 UTCYou can get a 3 mil stylus for the "Crosley-type" players, the Pfanstiehl 793-S3, for $12.95 in the U.S. It's a sapphire stylus, for for the 30 or so years that many record players had a "flipover" stylus with the LP needle on one side and the 78 needle on the other side, the 78 needle was always sapphire, because even though it doesn't last as long as a diamond stylus, you'd still need to play an awful lot of 78s to wear it out. Plus some people claim that a sappire stylus is gentler on 78s than a diamond stylus, although that may been from when tracking forces were much higher than they are today.
VWestlife
2023-04-02 16:48:05 +0000 UTCThe Audio Technica spare headshells are the same as the one the turntable comes with, so they’ll all weigh the same.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 16:38:50 +0000 UTCWow - stuff I didn't know about 78-rpm records. On that "pluggable head-shell" thing and having to adjust tracking force ... do the shells weigh the same? Assuming the 78s need more weight pushing down, is the 78 headshell a little heavier to make all the physics come out right? Great stuff as usual. When you get curious about a thing, it's time for us to pay attention!
Peter Laws
2023-04-02 16:35:10 +0000 UTCIt’s a Cambridge Audio ALVA Duo - I got this one because it has a headphone output.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 16:28:07 +0000 UTCgreat and well thought out and explained video. just 1 thing, could you tell me what phono pre amp you used please ? I couldnt quite make it out. Its the perfect size and colour for something im putting together!
Andrew Fletcher
2023-04-02 16:06:01 +0000 UTC78 RPM was more of an approximation than a standard. Even the speed was never uniform: in 50 Hz regions "78" is actually 77.92 RPM, while in 60 Hz regions it's 78.26 RPM.
VWestlife
2023-04-02 15:18:08 +0000 UTCThe demonstration of groove width difference was very well done. On a 78, the grooves are called "coarse groove" because the groove walls are designed to file down the stylus so that it fits the disc correctly. I hate to be "that commenter", but as someone who archives 78s for a living, the lack of reference to EQ curves means these 78s aren't being played properly at all. The RIAA phono curve did not exist when that Asch record was recorded. The record shown in the video was recorded in 1944 and is probably intended to be played with a bass turnover of 400 Hz and no treble roll-off.
Robert Cowlin
2023-04-02 15:06:07 +0000 UTCNothing can stop them. They can’t even figure out how to disable a caps lock, so there’s no hope.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 14:44:55 +0000 UTCIt may be tedious, but it’s free and doesn’t take up any room.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 14:44:12 +0000 UTCMy turntable doesn't do 78 so what I do to record them is to play them at 45 and adjust the speed back in Audacity - plus a lot of eq tinkering. Tedious but it works.
Rick Parsons
2023-04-02 14:29:20 +0000 UTCVery impressive improvement in quality - most notably the drop in the rumble.
Rick Parsons
2023-04-02 14:27:38 +0000 UTCThe last minute of the video could be described as "disclaimer: audiophiles, stop writing silly comments". Great video. I learned a lot.
Michael Wehr
2023-04-02 14:26:35 +0000 UTCGreat video Mat! I've learned a lot about 78s!
vinylisgroovy
2023-04-02 12:54:36 +0000 UTCThanks, one more great video ! Don't tell anyone, I kept a few Tungsten light bulbs in my cupboards,
CheeseParis
2023-04-02 12:19:41 +0000 UTCInteresting, I love these tinkering videos. Probably because it’s the sort of thing I do. “I wonder if…” it can end in amazing successes, like this one, or a smouldering heap of junk, like most of mine do.
Phil Collins
2023-04-02 12:05:24 +0000 UTCAdditional fun fact: Apparently his last words were "Channel 5 is all sh*t, isn't it? Christ, the crap they put on there. It's a waste of space."
Brad Jones
2023-04-02 11:10:37 +0000 UTCI don’t have any fluorescent light fittings or tubes in the house. I do like the handheld battery powered device, it’s very convenient.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 11:08:32 +0000 UTCI’ve never used an LP120 so I’m not familiar with the cart it comes with, if the stock cart is one where you can swap the stylus to a suitable one without damaging it then yes you can do this.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 11:07:14 +0000 UTCAlso, I may be a Philistine or missing something obvious, but what's wrong with using a stock LP120 and just changing the stylus to a dedicated 78 one (without changing cartridges)? This is what VWestlife seems to do and at least to my ears there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the sound. Agreed this might still be too expensive if you don't have an LP120 or similar!
George the Dead Hard Drive
2023-04-02 10:34:18 +0000 UTCVery interesting video, some things I hadn't considered before! I believe a standard fluorescent light could also be used with a strobe disk? Although they will be banned in the UK from September this year I believe. Still, cheap and easier to get a hold of for the moment.
George the Dead Hard Drive
2023-04-02 10:33:18 +0000 UTCYes that would do the job, put it on, adjust the tracking force to 5g and you’re off.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 10:26:24 +0000 UTCThanks Mat, great video. I have that very same Audio-Technica which I ought after I talked to you about Direct Drive players (because I was getting useless at putting the belt on my Pro-Ject player due to my MS). I bought it because I liked the idea of using it for 78s. Would this be a good buy for just swapping it out with the "normal" cartridge when playing 78s? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266155578459 ?
Amro
2023-04-02 10:24:16 +0000 UTCI'm never really happy with the audio - but I'm always working on it. The cameras are a bit of a mixed bag as well. The one I use when talking to the camera is a Sony A6400 with a Sigma 16mm lens. The hands on camera is a Sony ZV-1 which could benefit from a few improvements, most useful to me would be the ability to focus closer and a headphone output would be very handy. The mics, well most of it is R0de wireless mics with a R0de lavalier. The off screen voiceovers are done with a Blue Yeti, but I'm not at all happy with that so this weekend I'm going to swap it all out for a different system....for perhaps the fourth time. Hopefully one day I'll get the sound I want.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 10:09:58 +0000 UTCI don’t really know what to do with dodgy motors. They just look like sealed units. Some of the really old ones like on my Seeburg 1000 have pipes to put oil down, but ones like this, I don’t know what, if anything, I can do to them.
Techmoan
2023-04-02 08:58:11 +0000 UTCNice one Mat, didn't you hear me shout "BEARINGS" when the deck was running slow? The most common cause of this kind of thing in my experience, especially in the older Garrard and BSR decks. The main spindle bearing dries out because of the heat caused by the rotational friction, thus it binds and slows. A small dab of Molycote after cleaning should see it run better. Did you remember to clean the nozzle and tube of the desoldering tool? Mine often clogs up, even after just a little use. The tools they provide do a good job but you have to do it regularly.
Chas Large
2023-04-02 07:48:19 +0000 UTCA warmer an much much fuller sound and without all that distortion, makes a huge difference. I remember back in the day we had a Gerrard deck and it was a double sided stylus that you flicked over for 78 records. Anyway well done on the repair, I'm always nervous on jobs like that and not always successful!
LANDLINEMAN.com
2023-04-02 07:08:51 +0000 UTCFun fact : The final record issued on the 78 format in the UK was "Poor Me" by Adam Faith in 1960. Coincidentally, I'll be going past the hospital where he died later today.
Matthew Lawrenson
2023-04-02 07:03:18 +0000 UTCReally interesting look at a format that doesn’t get enough attention in my opinion, thank you. Apologies if you’ve already covered this, but I was wondering what camera and mic setup you currently use for your videos? It looks great.
Haydn Rowlands
2023-04-02 04:43:20 +0000 UTCI've cleared that side of things up in the re-edit, apologies for the misleading earlier edit. https://youtu.be/h3Vl2Jm-D_g
Techmoan
2023-04-02 02:54:09 +0000 UTCThe sticker on the back says that the *minimum* input voltage is 16V *AC* but you used a DC input. That might be why it's running consistently slow — assuming the first power supply element is a rectifier (likely, given that it worked at all) then it'll be getting less than the full voltage it expects (because the rectifier will be turning the *peaks* of the AC waveform to DC, and peak AC voltage is higher than the RMS average voltage that it's labeled as). It would be worth trying a real 16VAC wall wart, I think. (Of course it still works as you have it, though you _might_ be stressing the rectifier since only half of it is conducting. And the speed problem might be entirely unrelated.)
Kevin Reid
2023-04-02 02:44:20 +0000 UTCI remember thinking that 78's spun fast; -& then I put the 1st CD into my Sony D5 CD player with it's quarter-arc clear window on top (in 1985). Enough said... (BTW: I still own a near-mint condition Sony D5 CD Player).
CURTISSCOTT
2023-04-02 02:34:18 +0000 UTCGreat video again Mat
Steve Cross
2023-04-02 00:46:31 +0000 UTCThe groove bit had me on the edge of my seat. I never knew about that. You may have mentioned it before but watching you troubleshoot and explain is why I'm always back. Thanks to you Mat.
David Collins
2023-04-02 00:23:07 +0000 UTCGreat video! This looks like a really good setup. Myself, I've got one of the LP-120s and I like it a lot, for 78s and everything else. The one real advantage for me is that it has adjustable speed up to +/- 16%. Don't know if you've come across this in your research (if so, I'm gonna end up being like every Youtube commenter and tell you something you already know :p ) but early acoustic "78s" often don't play at exactly 78rpm. The speed can vary from label to label and sometimes record to record. I really like being able to make those adjustments to the speed, and the swappable headshells make switching cartridges very easy. (My main cartridge has an alternative 78rpm stylus too, so I often just swap the stylus instead of the whole cartridge.) The tracking force can be an issue but the LP-120 has a counterweight with markings on it that makes changing the force much easier. As long as you don't accidentally move the bit with the markings… (Definitely haven't ever done that, no sir.) None of this is anything against your setup, of course. Different needs! As much as I've gone on about them, speed adjustments are really only necessary for picky people who have a lot of very old records and like to tinker with things. (In other words, people like me lol)
Daniel Aufmann
2023-04-02 00:08:55 +0000 UTCMemories of buying a "music system" at a car boot sale in the 90s, and using the same stylus for all speeds with no idea that wasn't the done thing! It also ran at 16rpm, but I've never managed to find 16rpm record to this day!
Brad Jones
2023-04-01 22:46:35 +0000 UTCWhile I found it enjoyable to listen to some of VWestlife's 78s, I don't plan to ever get any 78 records nor a 78 rpm player, but it's still interesting to find out what it takes to play them nowadays.
Mark Hesse
2023-04-01 21:56:18 +0000 UTCDon’t worry it’ll be in the comments - a lot.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 21:55:21 +0000 UTCI do enjoy these projects and enjoyed the results. I don't suppose you would want to change the video title but it would be a great opportunity for "What do I do with my old 78s?", from Not the Nine O'Clock News.
Matt Tester
2023-04-01 21:51:51 +0000 UTCI should have mentioned this, it was written down on my bullet points but my brain was a bit scrambled by the end and I missed it. I’ve added it as a pop up in the re-edit that should appear later.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 21:46:12 +0000 UTCUnfortunately I’ve ended up having to take that out in the re-edit as I wanted to shorten that sequence and it didn’t make sense any more when I left that bit in. But yes, flipping typical and I triple checked it before starting and still went in the wrong direction.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 21:45:13 +0000 UTCNo, but someone else has mentioned this too, so I’m doing a re-edit that will show the proper power supply I ended up using.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 21:43:44 +0000 UTCSound great vs the NUMARK! Only thing if diving deeper into this is 78's have a different RIAA equalization curve than 33/45 records. Might not interest you but good to know. https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/78rpm_playback_curves
Pin Swede
2023-04-01 21:41:32 +0000 UTCVery informative, and another good video example of "the every man" having a go at making something work, and understanding what it's doing. I particularly liked that you left in the bit when you unsoldered the wrong section, because it's exactly what I would have done.
Explosive Action
2023-04-01 21:39:38 +0000 UTCI have a 20 year old ProJect 1.2 for which I was able to get a 78RPM adapter kit. The kit provided a larger pulley for the motor and a new 78 stylus for the existing Ortofon OM5 cartridge. Not sure if ProJect still sell a kit like this, but the result was very similar to what Matt achieved here.
Dt91c
2023-04-01 21:38:39 +0000 UTCAt 11:10 you show the rating label on the back of the turntable, which says 16V AC 50-60Hz. Then you talk about "centre positive" so were you feeding it DC? May be this is why it's running slow?
Jonathan in London
2023-04-01 21:38:27 +0000 UTCI made sure not to mention it just in case the rights holder comes out of the woodwork. It's happened before when I listed what I was playing in a video for which YouTube hadn't matched any of my 5 second clips. I think they do text searches on YouTube video descriptions and probably comments too.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 21:06:28 +0000 UTCNo he's in prison.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 21:04:18 +0000 UTCThey shouldn't need adjusting - it's just masking a problem that's occurring elsewhere. But on this occasion I ended up with no choice. I suspect the Motor is failing...it's a bit noisy.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 20:59:08 +0000 UTCP.S. Do you mention what that jazzy Django Reinhardt sounding disk is? I may have missed it?
Jimmy Mounsey
2023-04-01 20:48:31 +0000 UTCRemarkable that the Audio Technica turntable, available in 2023 is backwards compatible with 78rpm records from 120 years ago!... Good work on the Thorens. Given it's bargain basic contruction when new, those variable resistors may never have been set correctly....
Jimmy Mounsey
2023-04-01 20:46:13 +0000 UTCI might have missed something said early in the repair, but why hadn't you thought that adjusting the pots would do anything?
David Fulton
2023-04-01 20:38:33 +0000 UTCI loved the demonstration of groove width and the difference in quality was striking, even without headphones.
David Peaker
2023-04-01 20:31:23 +0000 UTCI thought you were going to say "I did manage to find a chap in the UK who was selling an incandescent bulb."
David Fulton
2023-04-01 20:30:32 +0000 UTCThis was Just Another Excellent Video, good sir. What I found was brilliant was the choice of music - I appreciate not wanting to content match, of course... but I personally loved what was playing! Your effort to bring out the truest possible sound on a budget, I would say, was extremely successful. The stylus explanation was also Perfect [especially for some in this country].... Looking forward to the next one. I would say [no rush, of course] but you've already figured out how best not to!
Stephen Hamme
2023-04-01 20:22:59 +0000 UTCTo anyone who is now searching for a cheap and good 78 player my recommendation is a Dual 1216 - if you live in or around Germany you can get those for around €30. It will need some service but mostly mechanical stuff (cleaning and lubrication). It's pretty good for normal records, too. I would bet it's better than that Audio Technica player...
Robert
2023-04-01 20:08:57 +0000 UTCI tried that once. Didn't work very well. But maybe it works better with other phones.
Robert
2023-04-01 20:03:47 +0000 UTCI’m fine, thanks for asking. A bit lethargic at the moment though, not too sure why…if I’d had a bit more get up and go I’m sure I could have shaved a day or two off making this one. I’ll try doing a couple of short videos next to keep up the momentum and get back on track.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 20:02:35 +0000 UTCYes my parents old stereogram had the same thing - I didn’t understand it back then either.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 19:51:02 +0000 UTCAs always, loved the video. I'm surprised you didn't get a content match on one of the Spongebob episodes by the way :D
Martijn Valk
2023-04-01 19:47:03 +0000 UTC(2.5 g)
Randall Jennings
2023-04-01 19:36:24 +0000 UTCI always wondered why my dad's old Fidelity music centre had a stylus that you flipped between 45/33 & 78SP didn't have any 78s so it never got moved ( intentionally anyway ) thanks for that - every day is a learning day
mark barratt
2023-04-01 19:35:13 +0000 UTCIf it's tracking too light, why not put a penny on top of the cartridge?
Randall Jennings
2023-04-01 19:27:38 +0000 UTCYou can get an app that’ll strobe your phone’s flash, which might help with your strobe disc. I found this out while trying to get a special edition They Might Be Giants album to work, which had a zoetrope animation printed on the record
Richard Back
2023-04-01 19:27:05 +0000 UTCI think I would've over-sped the 78 by about 1% given that the weight of the 78 would slow a 79 rpm platter down to 78 RPM. I would over speed the 33 1/3rd a bit too.
Randall Jennings
2023-04-01 19:25:50 +0000 UTCClever girl
Randall Jennings
2023-04-01 19:11:18 +0000 UTCSo far for the comments I heard sometimes to use a mechanical player only for 78s and use a good microphone for recording... Although that might give "life" the most magical experience. I'm impressed by the recordings here!
MrHammond
2023-04-01 18:56:24 +0000 UTCReally enjoy these themed videos Mat! Especially when you think about how everyone bangs on about modern audio equipment is supposed to be better. I love it when you realise that audio from a 78 from the 1950’s can be better than playing a record on one of those terrible cheap “record players” or a terrible mp3. Your trio of videos of building a budget hifi inspired me to do the same and I had forgotten how wonderful listening without headphones was! Great explanation too as I didn’t know you needed a specific styli for 78’s. As always - excellent video!!!! 🎉
Mark Walsham
2023-04-01 18:28:45 +0000 UTCI made a modification to my Revox B790. I replaced the NE555 inside with a small PCB having ATMega MCU and now it has also 78 speed. You can see a short demo video here: https://youtu.be/eegwONYgJs4 . Of course, I have the 78rpm stylus for the cartridge as well.
Antti Louko
2023-04-01 18:24:49 +0000 UTCI’ll need to re-edit that section as the adaptor I ended up connecting was an official replacement I bought thinking it would fit better - so that one will have been configured appropriately.
Techmoan
2023-04-01 18:18:16 +0000 UTCMat, you are a huggable genius for doing this. I've been wondering how to play my 78s correctly without having to pay extravagantly. This is great advice. That record sounded great at the end. • Your visual representation of a 78 stylus and a Microgroove stylus was brilliant. But the gatefold... whatever album it's from will bleed over on the playback.... (lame joke 🤪). • 'Not the right equipment for the job; it's the long and short of it.' yeah • How is Thorens pronounced, I wonder. I always used your first version. • Your power adapter supply is amazing. • Drilling - although aggressive, it's quite impressive. • Your video 'vinyl' soundtrack skipped at 12:28 - don't fix it because it's ironic. • Although your cap operation did not seem to make much impact, it was highly engrossing. Edit: • That's a very creative and fun thumbnail All very enjoyable. I hope you are well, too - I tend to worry occasionally. Have a good one. 🤍
Grace Robbins
2023-04-01 18:04:23 +0000 UTCThis one is great! Especially description how thin stylus could pick up mostly white noise down to the groove bottom :)
Sergey Kudryashov
2023-04-01 18:03:58 +0000 UTCAnother great one Mat, thank you
Lee Lavery
2023-04-01 18:00:50 +0000 UTCThe sticker on the back of the Thorens showed it was expecting 16V AC but you were using a DC adaptor which was most likely regulated too. A 16V AC adaptor is basically a transformer in a box with a 16V secondary output winding.
Giles Jones
2023-04-01 17:58:53 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed that Mat. Great result. Maybe not the Frankenstein's soldering but it did the trick 😊 Thought early on in the video the Numark sound seemed decent enough but the final result with the Theorens & also with Elvis had great fidelity.
Simon Arnold
2023-04-01 17:51:01 +0000 UTC
