My latest tool for playing cylinders

[Aaron]

We have discussed the Archeophone a few times on other boards. It appears to be a very good instrument, but for home (and not pertaining to thousands of cylinders) it seems impractical. Norman's machines seems to be an absolute perfect example of something that could be used by the average collector should this machine become attainable. If and when you ever make a few of these to sell sign me up for one Norm!!!!!! -----Aaron-----

[Schmaltz]

I second Aaron's motion; sign me up for one also. I won't need spring motors for my sampling anymore!

[Aaron]

Dont get me wrong Walt.... I know what he meant I just wanted to put in my two cents about the Archeophone.

Aaron

[WDC]

I do really like the Archeophone and I likely had purchased one if I had the money for it. The current list price at Kurt Nauck's website is around 12500 Euros (basic edition). It is capable of playing more formats as mine can, e.g. like Lioret cylinders. But if I can reduce the price for a full equipment down to 10% of the Archeophone price it will be affordable for many private collectors. And the output quality would not be lower.

Btw. it's not only the Archeophone. If you take a look at Christer's website you will find well over 60 other solutions as well. Each device has its own merit.

The technical nonplusultra is confocal probe scanning of cylinders and 2-dimensional scanning of discs: irene.lbl.gov
Don't ask me what that would cost!

[phonophan79]

There was another one on YouTube, homemade...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDXNgWfF31E[/youtube]

The guy who made it e-mailed me the basic designs to make this... but I don't think it's something I can tackle now. He was happy to share the designs. If anyone is interested, feel free to contact me.

[Starkton]

I saw and enjoyed Norman's latest tool in the flesh last week, and I am happy to report that it worked marvelously. Furthermore, Norman knows his sound restoration craft extremely well!

[WDC]

Got the video cam today and spent the whole afternoon and early evening with making five videos. I have selected some different cylinders to demonstrate the tracking capabilities. Of course, it will not play everything without the operator's help like hung grooves. But it is quite reliable as you will see. The output signal was hooked up directly to the camera to avoid the use of the microphone.

Playing a brown wax cylinder:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXohldXo7AI[/youtube]

2-Minute Black Wax:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUb1LocOQRQ[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip1VJDubGDc[/youtube]

Tracking of a warped Blue Amberol:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy4YnoDyiHg[/youtube]

Playing a regular Blue Amberol:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvBfrcLzH6s[/youtube]

[Paal1994]

Norman,

Thank you so much for putting up videos of the cylinder player.
It looks very reliable and it sounds great!

Paal.

[Odeon]

You did a great job ! Sounds great!!!!!

[richardh]

Norman,

well done! That machine really is great....and no doubt much gentler on cylinders than a vintage machine. It is amazing just how good the sound is from those brown wax cyliners..and as for those BA's...they sound superb.

That warped BA made me chuckle.....now that really is a warped BA...but even so your machine coped with it just fine. I didn't realise that Blue Skys made it on a BA... it is a shame that it is so badly warped.

You will be able to do some great transfers with that machine. Thanks for sharing the videos of it in action.

RJ