What type of Edison cylinder machine is best?

[ehs004]

A really nice sounding machine 4 minute only and affordable IMO is The wonderful Edison Amberola V beautiful machine, smooth mechanism, very little vibration and has a flywheel and Diamond B reproducer that reproduces a nice sound the horn is bigger than a Amberola 30 so it is a bit louder with more tone .

[Valecnik]

A really nice sounding machine 4 minute only and affordable IMO is The wonderful Edison Amberola V beautiful machine, smooth mechanism, very little vibration and has a flywheel and Diamond B reproducer that reproduces a nice sound the horn is bigger than a Amberola 30 so it is a bit louder with more tone .

I agree with you Eric. Much better than a 30, larger horn louder and has some mass to it. Much more attractive too than a 30.

[edisonphonoworks]

The Amberola 1-A I would consider the best to play everything on, and versatile, the M reproducer for general 2/4 minute cylinders, and you can use the Diamond A for Blue Amberol. If you find a recording attachment, then you can record on this machine too, and It would not be hard to make a duplicate of a studio recorder like mine in Aluminum and make some great recordings, if you put an articulated trunnion that fit in place of the reproducer, or used a good home recorder, with the specialized adapter attachment that was available at the time. Next down the list is the Amberola 1-B a four minute only machine, and then The Opera. Any of the late 2/4 minute Triumphs are excellent machines, the F machine much like an Opera. For the most pleasing look, the Triumph model A, with 2/4 minute attachment, and upgraded, wood cygnet horn, is a wonderful looking machine, in my opinion the banner Triumph A is my favorite Edison spring wound phonograph. If you have the dough the D1 Idelia is a stunning machine, however does not come up very often, and plays 2 and 4 minute cylinders. I think one is limiting ones self by purchasing a four minute only machine, lots of wonderful recordings on two minute. Original recording company Engineers, actually liked those two minute wax records the best, as they had greater volume, and range, and lower surface noise when new, than celluloid records.

[Jerry B.]

Yes, an Amberola V is a wonderful machine but it's two or three times the cost of an Amberola 30. An Amberola I-A is the ultimate two and four minute player but it's starting around $3500. For me, the ultimate combination player would be the Amberola 1-A in Circassian walnut. I might as well want one that appeals to the eye as well as the ear. I'll have to budget probably $10,000 or more for one. I read the subject of this thread to read "What type of Edison cylinder machine is best"...for a new collector and a first Edison cylinder machine purchase (implied). That's the way I read the subject of this thread.

Maybe we need a thread that reads..." What is the ultimate combination Edison machine". I could debate Harvey that my 1-A is better than his Idealia. (We both know which of the two we'd take home!)

Respectfully, Jerry Blais

[phonojim]

It depends on how much money you have available for your purchase and what I'm about to write assumes you are on a somewhat tight budget. A Standard B or D is a good low cost starter machine. If you buy a Model B it must come with a 2 & 4 minute conversion kit already installed. If it is a model D, it is a 2-4 minute machine to start with, however model Ds have either had the mandrel support bearing replaced or it will need to be done. The model B does not have this problem due to different design. You will need a C reproducer for 2 minute cylinders and an H for 4 minute. The Edison Standard horn is an efficient and good sounding horn and, although it is not as pretty as the colored flowered horns, it is less expensive.
The next choice would be a Home B or D. All of the criteria and cautions noted for the Standard apply to the same Home models. With the Home you get a larger, more impressive looking machine and a little more runtime on a wind. Also, the Home horn is slightly larger which gives some improvement in sound.
Horizontal carriages are available for Homes and Standards. These allow you to use either O or diamond B reproducers for vastly improved sound, but at added cost, especially for the O (expect to pay $400.00, probably more for a good ready to use O).
The best advice I can give you is, if you know a knowledgeable collector, ask him to go with you and inspect a machine you are considering for purchase. It will be well worth it because there are many problems that are easy to miss if you don't know what to look for.

Good luck and happy hunting.
Jim

[Phonofreak]

The best machine to play 2/4 min cylinders is an Edison Idealia with a large carriage and an O reproducer. Just kidding!!! For a first machine is a Model B Standard with the 2/4 min. gearing attached. You don't have to worry about the pesky pot metal bushing. These are sturdy, robust machines built like tanks in a small package. Parts and accessories are easy to find. In my opinion, they sound just as good as any of the larger, more expensive machines. They are a good first cylinder machine.
Harvey Kravitz

[Lucius1958]

The best machine to play 2/4 min cylinders is an Edison Idealia with a large carriage and an O reproducer. Just kidding!!! For a first machine is a Model B Standard with the 2/4 min. gearing attached. You don't have to worry about the pesky pot metal bushing. These are sturdy, robust machines built like tanks in a small package. Parts and accessories are easy to find. In my opinion, they sound just as good as any of the larger, more expensive machines. They are a good first cylinder machine.
Harvey Kravitz

Agreed: if you're a relatively new collector, the Standard B is great. 2/4 minute conversions are not at all rare, and you can play any standard size cylinder on them.

Since you (the OP) said that your focus is on 4 minute cylinders, an H reproducer will play both wax Amberols and celluloid cylinders (you'll find Blue Amberols more often than not; but if you find any wax in good condition, it will be handy).

A best-case scenario for a Standard would be to find one with a horizontal carriage: you can fit an O reproducer, if you can get one for a decent price; or a Diamond B for celluloid. You can also fit an H, for wax, or a C, for 2 minute cylinders, should you wish, with an adapter .

-Bill