The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

WOW, that is a tough question. I have 5 of them currently and the answer might not be the same from one day to the next. At the moment, I would have to say my Credenza. It sounds great and is really a handsome beast. It was also a real adventure turning it from the sow's ear condition in which I found it into the proverbial silk purse. I learned a great deal in the process.

Its chief competitor would be my VIC III. As someone else mentioned, it is the one that immediately draws visitors to it.

Clay

I'd probably have to give the nod to my Victor B. That's just such a lovely little machine, and mine is wonderfully original (from the Dave Heitz collection).



But I should give the honor to my lowly Victor III with aftermarket flower-painted morning glory horn. That is a prize that will never leave in my lifetime, not because it's a great rarity, but simply because I've owned it since 1962 and can't imagine parting with it after more than 50 years. It was the 5th antique phonograph I ever bought, for all of $8. But I did replace the standard black horn. The aftermarket one cost $1 so I ended up with a whopping $9 invested in that machine....

(I really need to take an updated photo of that one. I've never taken a digital pic of it.)

Great topic!

You have allowed several collectors to highlight their favorite Victor. Not only do we get to see some nice machines but why each person is drawn to their specific machines. I hope this thread continues.

I love the unique horns on these Victors. Bruce you have a beautiful Linenoid horn which complements your vic IV.

As for me I have a Canadian Alvava 4-3 which came to me from our family and stood out as my favorite Victor until I recently acquired a Vic VI in beautiful condition. This one is so nice my Wife found a spot in our Master bedroom, which is a significant endorsement considering most of the collection lives in the basement.

My tiny (and sold cheap) Victrolita pine box VV 1-1 because it is simple, light weight, and fits on a bookshelf

hard pick... I'd go for my Victor IV but my Victor 5 isn't far behind.

Since I only have 2 VV IXA and RE45 I give the nod to each depending what and where I am listening The VVIX sits next to my Amberola 30 downstairs in the main cave and the RE45 is in the great room
although these days I listen to more Edison records also on my A150 which is in the great room next to the RE45
Dwight

Victor Victrola VV-XIV

I bought it in 1994, and it has been one of my "go to" machines for spinning 78s on a regular basis along with a 8-30, 8-9, & HMV 163. I have other machines but I think I'd have separation anxiety if I had to sell my bog standard 14.

I have a later VV-110 that is pretty much the same as the 14, but I'd have to go with elder machine as the chosen one.

(well, anyway, that's how I feel about it today )

My two ABSOLUTE favorite Victor machines are the Humpback II (its proportions are the epitome of a Victor machine - in my opinion) in spite of its common background and the fancy cased Victor MS, which I would rank as the most desirable Victor machine from an aesthetic viewpoint...

I have two that I'm struggling with---- 1) A Victor 6 with rare mahogany grained, brass-belled horn-- But-- i'll go with my Extended arm Victor M, in near mint condition. I got his from a dear friend, so that makes it special enough to jump ahead of my 6 as my favorite.

Brad Abell

"My tiny (and sold cheap) Victrolita pine box VV 1-1 because it is simple, light weight, and fits on a bookshelf "


Same here! It is also the only Victor machine that I own!