Edison Model C, H or K?

[Victrolacollector]

I am debating which reproducer should I get? I want to play 2 and 4 minute cylinder records and not want a pot metal reproducer. Should I get a Edison C and H or just a K reproducer?

[rgordon939]

With a K you have both a 2min and a 4min in one. With a C and an H you have to switch reproducers for each type of cylinder. But with the K you also have to take it out of the carriage to change the 2/4 min setting. You might look at what you can buy a C and H for compared to a K.

Rich Gordon

[Phonoboy]

I vote C and H, easy to use, fix, and maintain.

[Jerry B.]

The least expensive Edisons, the Gem and Fireside, were sold with the K reproducer. The more expensive Edisons, the Standard, Home, Triumph, and Idealia, were sold with both the C and H as standard equipment. If the K was considered the equal in performance, the Edison Company would have made it standard equipment for all their models. The K must have been more expensive to manufacture when individually compared to the C or H but less than the combined cost of both. I have never done an audible quality test but I suspect a superbly tuned and adjusted K would grade out slightly lower than a C or H in equal condition.

The K is a very desirable reproducer and it is very convenient. In my opinion it adds interest to a machine. I suspect the actual difference in performance is negligible but actual. Personally, I would want the reproducer that was factory correct for my machine. I'd prefer my Fireside with a K and my Standard with both a C and an H. Jerry Blais

[VintageTechnologies]

I have all three models and I cannot discern any difference in quality between them.

[phonojim]

+1

The main advantage to purchasing both a C and H over a K is cost. Due to the high prices of Ks, you can save a little bit of money by buying a C and H. Chances are, if you already have an Edison machine you already have a C or H and would have to buy only the one you don't have. All three of these reproducers were sold in both potmetal and brass versions and are common in both. I have not seen a potmetal C but I understand that they were made late in the production cycle.

[Edisone]

Note this Model K warning from the Edison Shop site:

"Be careful when playing any records which are the slightest out of round as the high point may strike the central point where the two stylus bars are linked, causing the record to be damaged. There is no way to adjust for this problem."


Much info there - http://www.edisonshop.com/reproducers/ducer.html

[Lucius1958]

With a K you have both a 2min and a 4min in one. With a C and an H you have to switch reproducers for each type of cylinder. But with the K you also have to take it out of the carriage to change the 2/4 min setting. You might look at what you can buy a C and H for compared to a K.

Rich Gordon

For what it's worth, I have never had to take my K out of the carriage before switching styli: I simply raise the carriage, reach underneath, and move the lever to the desired side.

I agree, though, that it is probably easier to find a C and H.

Bill

[RefSeries]

C and H for my money. I had a problem with a K once when it neatly shaved part of a wax cylinder for me - my fault, as it was a new reproducer and I hadn't checked that it cleared the cylinder, but I have never had a problem with C's or H's.

Keith

[clevelander]

For me, Ks are great to have when they form part of an original set-up(ie Maroon Gem), but they will never be better than dedicated two and four minute reproducers due to the vibration loss in the linkage.
And, like Keith (Refseries) I have had a good cylinder marked by the linkage skimming the surface.