Is this not the cutest little RCA changer you ever did see?

[edisonclassm]

I am curious to know if there are any other collectors out there with one of these RCA R-97's. They were made in 1937 during the height of the depression so very few were manufactured. Is this the only one to survive? I'd like to hear back from anyone who might have one or knows of one. Thanks much

[gramophone78]

Cute little player. I have a R-93 that was designed to play through a RCA Victor radio.
Thanks for sharing.

[Shawn]

That is awesome, Paul!!! Super cool. Thanks for sharing!!!!?

[edisonclassm]

I want to thank Carlton Smith(Electrolaman) for the factory info sheet. He told me he hadn't ever seen another one of these either. BTW nice looking outfit you have gramaphone78

[gramophone-georg]

That is a sweet little changer. Please reach out and PM me if you ever want to sell. Seriously.

[ChuckA]

This is the R-96 the manual turntable version of the R-97.

Here is the R-99 the top of the line for the R series phonographs

15 watts of output power, 12" electrodynamic speaker, and an audio expander that increased the dynamic range of the recording.
It also had a tracking force adjustment in the tonearm which allowed the tracking force down to about 3oz instead
of the normal 6 to 9oz on other units for this period.

Chuck

[JohnM]

That would be the depth of the Depression.

[edisonclassm]

John, Your comment precipitated a good laugh when I read it. The difference between an optimist and a pessimist!

[phonosandradios]

I just love the simple deco design of that R-97. Being so simple it is timeless. Some of the over fussy deco has not aged well but pieces such as this will always look good.