78 RPM record players

78 RPM record players offer a third speed for playing old shellac records alongside the usual 33 and 45 RPM settings. They are useful if you have inherited records from the first half of the 20th century from your grandparents or collect them yourself. Here you will find Crosley Voyager suitcase record players, music centres with a radio and CD player such as Crosley Rhapsody, and Hi-Fi and DJ turntables from Audio-Technica, Pro-Ject and Reloop. All of them also play standard vinyl LPs and singles.

How do shellac records differ from vinyl records?

Shellac records were produced until around the end of the 1950s and play at 78 revolutions per minute. Compared with vinyl records, they have a wider groove, are heavier and break easily. Vinyl LPs spin at 33 RPM and singles at 45 RPM. A three-speed record player can handle all three types. On some belt-drive turntables, you need to change the belt to play at 78 RPM. For example, Pro-Ject Colourful Audio System E includes a round belt for this purpose.

Which stylus do you need for 78 RPM records?

Shellac records need a stylus designed for 78 RPM, with a wider tip than a standard vinyl stylus. A narrow tip runs along the bottom of the wide shellac groove, resulting in quieter sound and more noise. On some turntables, you can simply replace the stylus; on others, you need to buy a complete cartridge separately. For example, Reloop Turn 5 supports 78 RPM, but the manufacturer does not include a mono cartridge for shellac records. You can find replacement styli in the Turntable styli / needles category.

78 RPM record players: suitcase, retro or Hi-Fi?

• Suitcase record players (such as Crosley Voyager) have built-in speakers, pack up like a suitcase and play as soon as you plug them in.
• Music centres (Crosley Rhapsody, Lenco MC-160) combine a record player with a radio and often a CD player too.
• Hi-Fi and DJ turntables (Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP, Pro-Ject A2, Reloop RP-7000 MK2) play through an amplifier or active speakers. You choose your own cartridge for the Reloop RP-7000 MK2 DJ turntable, as it is not included.

You can find record players with all speeds in the Turntables category.