Victor Exhibition, No. 2, No. 4, and Orthophonic reproducers

[VictorVV-X]

Hello all,
What is the difference between these reproducer/soundboxes?
This is more of just a general question of curiosity.

Thanks in advance.
VictorVV-X

[52089]

The short answer is that each is an improvement in some way over its predecessor. The Exhibition, 2, and 4 all use mica diaphragms, but the Orthophonic uses a pleated aluminum diaphragm.

The Exhibition and 2 were intended for use with acoustically recorded discs. The Orthophonic was designed specifically for playing the early electrically recorded discs. The 4 is a sort of compromise which was intended to give good response to both acoustic and electric discs. The 4 was only used on a few machines, notably the 1-70 desktop and the 2-60 portable.

[VictorVV-X]

52089, Thank you for the information.

[New Yorker]

This may help you understand more…
http://www.gracyk.com/reproducer.shtml

[OrthoFan]

This also provides some information -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/Brakes%2 ... nd%202.htm

In fact, if you haven't seen it, the Victor Victrola site has tons of information -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/

Some of the information is buried in the various jumps on the site, such as the Victor products page -- http://victor-victrola.com/new_page_2.htm

Also, the "return to home page button" doesn't work on some pages, so you'll have to use your browser's back button to maneuver around.

OrthoFan

[Retrograde]

One thing to note is that the isolator (tone arm opening) is slightly larger on the orthophonic reproducers making them incompatible with the machines that use the exhibition, no 2 and no 4.

I use 4's on several of my pre-ortho machines just because they sound really good to me. The diameter of the mica and the needle bar and spring design is the most notable improvement with each pre-ortho reproducer.

[estott]

One thing to note is that the isolator (tone arm opening) is slightly larger on the orthophonic reproducers making them incompatible with the machines that use the exhibition, no 2 and no 4.

The isolator for a #2 will fit an Orthophonic soundbox if you wish to use it on a standard arm.

[VictorVV-X]

Thank you all for the information. It really helped me out!