Why purchase gramophone wind up

[Lucius1958]

To answer your question simply, there is NO reason to purchase a gramophone, or play 78rpm records or engage in any other unnecessary activities. You list five different personal interests in your profile that are important to you, none of which are necessary for a functional life.

In that same way, collecting records/gramophones are a useless endeavor - the technology is extremely outdated, you can listen to the same music on your computer or phone (no records needed), the era these we're made for and the original listeners are long gone, they don't have stable intrinsic value and you can't take them with you when you die... The point is, this is only an "interest" that serves as a distraction - it's certainly less harmful than other addictions.

Just my opinion...

Jeez Curt, you make me want to stop my car half way across the bridge...

This is Your Brain.

This is Your Brain... on Existentialism.

-Bill

[m_nakamura]

Emma I don''t think you sounded rude at all. Curt was just reiterating some things.

Truly there is no reason to buy a gramophone over a normal modern record player. They both do the same thing and honestly a modern record player does it better.

While there are no technical advantages, the old machines do often look more appealing and pleasant (my original argument I used against my mom! )

[Marc Hildebrant]

A modern turntable will often apply the RIAA frequency curve, as the manufacture expects that an LP or 45 records will be played. This modification to the frequency content is in-correct for a 78 RPM record and will make the record sound "mushy" and lacking high end frequencies.

Some models allow the user to turn this feature off. If not, then you will miss some of the music or, you can purchase an antique 78 RPM player, and a box of steel needles.

Marc

[GroverOverton08]

Some "recent" record players also have a two-sided or separate styli & cartridge for 78s.

[AmberolaAndy]

I'm only speaking for myself. I mean yeah, I like to play my records on a good modern table (rare and valuable ones I only play on those) But I like messing with the vintage machines too and find them more interesting, gives me a firsthand idea about life over 100 years ago! Kinda the same reason I'm also into film photography.

[Curt A]

Don't make this so serious. I was only replying to the initial question: "Is there an advantage or reason to purchase a wind up gramophone?"

The simple answer is still "NO"... However, that doesn't take into consideration the many emotional or sentimental reasons for wanting to do so. In spite of my answer, I still like them and have been interested in them for 60+ years... but I still haven't discovered any "advantage" to owning one.

From the answers posted, I think most collectors struggle with trying to rationalize their obsession with why they collect and like them.

The good news is: You don't need any logical reason to own or like them. Just because the vast majority of people on earth think they are worthless and uninteresting - who cares?