Discussion: Which Machine Achieves the Best Sound Quality?

[Henry]

My litmus test for that sort of thing is clarinets v. flutes. Even on my orthophonic machine with an electric record (from the 30s I think, but could be up to the 50s - haven't looked into it), it can be quite difficult to tell those instruments apart. However, on my Diamond Disc machine (especially my new C-150 which is miles ahead of the H-19 and even sounds a bit better to my ear than my W&M console with the 250 horn), the clarinets are very much clarinets, and the flutes are very much flutes.

How about violin vs. viola?

[winsleydale]

My litmus test for that sort of thing is clarinets v. flutes. Even on my orthophonic machine with an electric record (from the 30s I think, but could be up to the 50s - haven't looked into it), it can be quite difficult to tell those instruments apart. However, on my Diamond Disc machine (especially my new C-150 which is miles ahead of the H-19 and even sounds a bit better to my ear than my W&M console with the 250 horn), the clarinets are very much clarinets, and the flutes are very much flutes.

How about violin vs. viola?

I don't really have any diamond discs with strings (that I can think of), so it wouldn't really be a good test for me. That, and I am not keen on the difference between the two at all even in real life

[larryh]

From an aspect of all-around fullness of sound, from a musical, non-vocal standpoint, I haven't much to say. Given my severely limited experience, I can only state that my VV 8-12 has much more for bass than my Edison disc machines (of which I have three, and each with different horn sizes), and generally a warmer sound. However, the Diamond Disc machines (when paired with records that aren't crap) are much better for discerning between instruments in an ensemble. My litmus test for that sort of thing is clarinets v. flutes. Even on my orthophonic machine with an electric record (from the 30s I think, but could be up to the 50s - haven't looked into it), it can be quite difficult to tell those instruments apart. However, on my Diamond Disc machine (especially my new C-150 which is miles ahead of the H-19 and even sounds a bit better to my ear than my W&M console with the 250 horn), the clarinets are very much clarinets, and the flutes are very much flutes.

Are you using the same reproducer or the ones that came with each machine. I have done much of my testing on the William an Mary Console and I have absolutely no problem telling a clarinet from a flute. When comparing a electrical Victor record with a acoustic Edison there may not be as much bass due to the constraints of acoustic recordings. However I know many will find this hard to understand, but when I had my Credenza which played very well I tested it against my Edison Chippendale upright by listening from a distance of the next room. One which has a rather wide arched type opening, not just a doorway. The Edison won hands down for realism of sound which could have been mistaken for the actual players and instruments being in the next room. The Credenza in comparison was rather distant and shallow by comparison. That was when I decided to part with the Credenza.

Larry

[Henry]

My litmus test for that sort of thing is clarinets v. flutes. Even on my orthophonic machine with an electric record (from the 30s I think, but could be up to the 50s - haven't looked into it), it can be quite difficult to tell those instruments apart. However, on my Diamond Disc machine (especially my new C-150 which is miles ahead of the H-19 and even sounds a bit better to my ear than my W&M console with the 250 horn), the clarinets are very much clarinets, and the flutes are very much flutes.

How about violin vs. viola?

I don't really have any diamond discs with strings (that I can think of), so it wouldn't really be a good test for me. That, and I am not keen on the difference between the two at all even in real life

Me neither! Where the ranges overlap, it is extremely difficult to identify which is which. I probably have about a 50% chance, at best, to distinguish them. Of course, in symphony the trombones (my instrument) are so powerful, you don't hear strings anyhow.

[bigshot]

It would be interesting if people with different kinds of machines could make recordings of them performing at their best with a good microphone. I did this with my Brunswick Cortez recently and the results were very good...

http://www.vintageip.com/xfers/mamasintown.mp3

[winsleydale]

From an aspect of all-around fullness of sound, from a musical, non-vocal standpoint, I haven't much to say. Given my severely limited experience, I can only state that my VV 8-12 has much more for bass than my Edison disc machines (of which I have three, and each with different horn sizes), and generally a warmer sound. However, the Diamond Disc machines (when paired with records that aren't crap) are much better for discerning between instruments in an ensemble. My litmus test for that sort of thing is clarinets v. flutes. Even on my orthophonic machine with an electric record (from the 30s I think, but could be up to the 50s - haven't looked into it), it can be quite difficult to tell those instruments apart. However, on my Diamond Disc machine (especially my new C-150 which is miles ahead of the H-19 and even sounds a bit better to my ear than my W&M console with the 250 horn), the clarinets are very much clarinets, and the flutes are very much flutes.

Are you using the same reproducer or the ones that came with each machine. I have done much of my testing on the William an Mary Console and I have absolutely no problem telling a clarinet from a flute. When comparing a electrical Victor record with a acoustic Edison there may not be as much bass due to the constraints of acoustic recordings. However I know many will find this hard to understand, but when I had my Credenza which played very well I tested it against my Edison Chippendale upright by listening from a distance of the next room. One which has a rather wide arched type opening, not just a doorway. The Edison won hands down for realism of sound which could have been mistaken for the actual players and instruments being in the next room. The Credenza in comparison was rather distant and shallow by comparison. That was when I decided to part with the Credenza.

Larry

I am using the same reproducer.