Special Page for New Victor Radio Models

[novkev24]

The RE-45 used 6 UX226 (1929 list price $1.25), 1 UY-227 ($3.50), 2 UX-245 ($3.25) and 1 UX-280. ($3.00), so the full tube complement cost $20.50, or roughly $260 in 2010 dollars.

Note that the radio-phonograph combination itself would cost about $3500 in today's money.

While this may seem expensive, the RE-45 was a considerable aural improvement over the 1928/9 Victor range. At this price point in 1928 one could get a spring-wound portable phonograph combined in one cabinet with a pretty basic Radiola 18. M Victor's cheapest all-electric offering was the 7-26, which at $425 (less tubes) had an anemic ½ watt amplifier, tinny magnetic speaker, and the ubiquitous Radiola 18. The RE-45 out performed even the most expesive machines in the previous year's line, which sold for as much as $1500, though without the DeLuxe cabinetry or the problematic 1928 record changer.

Uncle Vanya

Somehow the darned machine signed me out in the middle, of a post!

Interesting info... Thanks for posting

[gregbogantz]

Uncle Vanya is correct in his praise of the RE-45. It's been mentioned before on the TMF what a fine performer this model is, as well as the other Victor micro-synchronous 1929 models (R-32, R-52, and RE-75). I'm a collector of old radios as well as phonos, and I haven't heard any other moderately priced model from 1929 that compares with these Victors. The exceptionally good speaker is the secret. And it was not used in any other RCA or Victor models (or any other brands, so far as I know). If I remember right, the speaker was actually made by Victor under license from Kellogg. The sound of these sets compares favorably with much later models from the 40s and 50s. If you have any interest in trying out some old electronics, get one of these Victors. The radio is one of the best TRF designs ever made, and the phono sounds great, too. They are still fairly plentiful and can be had for fairly low prices when you buy the entire set. The tube-weenies have decided that the power amps are "special" for some reason (they aren't, actually), so when just the power amp chassis goes up for sale on eBay, the prices go thru the roof. You can usually get the entire set for less than what just the amp goes for.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

What a great file! I'm kind of radio-ish myself and let me support Greg and Uncle Vanya and say that the RE %5 really did sound fine. My grandparents had one. A friend of mine uses one more or less as his regular radio. He has an FM tuner hooked up to it and it really is quite remarkable for a piece of pre 1930 technology. The sales were very high and it makes one wonder if in fact Victor might have been able to carry on quite well without RCA. I'm sure you're all familiar with the quote from Eldridge R Johnson to the effect that he never should have sold Victor. Maybe he was right.
So was John McCormack !

Jim