Which Portable Would You Choose?

[estott]

That's very nice indeed! I'm pretty certain it was built by Waters-Conley or Prime, although the diagonal crank may be a specific Victor design. I think that you can get a very good sound out of the off-brand machines like Birch (especially the higher end ones with larger horns) if they are properly rebuilt.

[larryh]

Here are some shots of the innards of the Telefunken.

[gramophoneshane]

Thanks for posting those pictures Larry. The horn looks as though it would produce slightly better sound than the 101 horn. They are very similar. I don't recognise the motor. Paillard did use a similar numbering system on their later motors, but it doesn't look like a Paillard motor to me.
I'd imagine the sound quality would be quite pleasing & better than the HMV 101- especially if it has the slightly larger soundbox.

[larryh]

Shane,

Yes it does I notice have a very nicely shaped and extra wide horn. I think that is part of the secret of the reasonable tone. The measurements of the outside of the reproducer is 2 ⅞ inches across.

Larry

[Guest]

Last night I sat down and played the Telefunken with some good Orthophonic pieces and I was very impressed at the clear tone and wide range of sound, more than I would expect from a portable. I would love to hear the others in person to compare, but alas I can't. I had a friend that loved the Columbia wood grain portable, but I didn't get the same sensation I do from this one. I wish I was up on how to record and display the sound but am not, and probably never will.

[reboot31]

ahmm for me, HMV 101...

[Victrolaman]

I have a Columbia 163, they are a very nice machine. I also have a model 101 Brunswick portable, thing weighs a ton but a nice machine. Those are the only 2 i own. Id like to find a nice orthophonic portable, some day in my searches i will find one

[Ampico66]

I'm fit and reasonably strong and able to lift things, but I always found carrying the VV-50 was a little tiring. If I didn't park close to the final resting place, carrying it was a burden. The metal handle also was uncomfortable. I always loved the presentation of the VV-50 cabinet, but was concerned about setting antique varnished wood on damp terrain or rough concrete. Still, it sounded GREAT, I think better than any other portable I've used.

I would not buy an Orthophonic imitation from the 1930s or 1940s. They usually have a lot of pot metal parts and never sound good. The reproducers don't work well and they don't have the volume that the Victor 50 did.

Eventually I sold all my portables as the novelty of playing 78s outside grew thin. Perhaps once a year I'll haul my Victor III (outside horn machine) into the back yard to amuse my friends at a party, but that's it.

Damon

[Jerry B.]

I'm sure the intent of this thread did not include Edison cylinder machines but my favorite portable is an Edison Gem Model B. It has the 2&4 minute conversion and easily plays one four minute cylinder per winding. I take it to every 4th of July celebration. Last year we were in Alameda, CA on the 4th. I played Stars & Stripes and other cylinders while we lounged around the motel pool. What fun! Jerry Blais

[transformingArt]

One vote for HMV 102 here!

I also have Columbia portable from the 30s, but although the machine was built well, and pretty much user-friendly, the sound quality cannot compete with HMV 102.