I agree with Rich.?The 78s that I value the most are not played on a victrola or credenza, but on my Bogen Turntable with a Stanton cartridge?which uses an Expert Stylus Company diamond stylus. All worn records could be played on this turntable; however, the tricky part comes into play when you have to experiment with?one of?several?diamond styli to determine which styli sounds best for that record. Then money becomes an issue, especially when you are paying more than $100 per styli. I just t have two styli, the 2.75 mil to play 78s and the 3.5 for edison diamond disks. If you play an electrically recorded recorded using the correct styli, amplifier and speakers you probably can closer simulate how the band or artist sounded in the recording studio. It will not be an exact sound like listening to a live orchestra in the same room with you, but it will still catch the sound superior to any victrola or credenze (no insult intended; I do enjoy playing records on my victrolas and credenza). I would not play?a louis armstrong or Memphis Jug Band on my credenza, but throw me a bunch of Paul Whiteman and I will crank that machine up and let 'em play (changing the needle after every play)! At least for the valuable 78s I suggest not even playing those on a victrola or credenza even if you use?a wooden needle. Modern day equipment with the right styli makes them sound the best. Rick sage----- From: Rich <rich-mail at octoxol.com> To: Antique Phonograph List <phono-l at oldcrank.org> Sent: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 12:12 pm Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Shellac records and damage from steel needles Damage: The occurrence of a change for the worse.? Wear: Impairment resulting from long use.? ? Use the one you like. As far as I can tell its damage, regardless if expected or not.? ? Ron L wrote:? > Wear was a known entity. It was expected. My mom wore out a record of? > 'String of Pearls" because she played it every day when she got home from? > high school as a young teen. She wore it out, not damaged it out. Damage? > is a scratch, a crack, a chip or a needle dig. > > Every time you start and run your car you are wearing components. Are you? > damaging the car? No. If you hit a tree, then you are damaging the car. It? > has nothing to do with wear of components. If you don't change the oil in? > the engine, wear will be accelerated. I don't think it is right to call? > planned for/expected change-with-use "damage". > > Ron L? > _______________________________________________? Phono-L mailing list? http://phono-l.oldcrank.org?