The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Bottom line, "best" is purely subjective. As PeterF noted, "So much depends upon perspective and one's interests."

Clay

I always reach for the best (if I can afford it). I have the best when the second-best object is in reach and I have no interest to get it.

I like upright machines and there are plenty of "best" models to choose from. My holy grail of phonographs is the Sonora Supreme with the matching cabinet. Next and equally desired is the Reginaphone 240. Both machines are stunning examples of cabinet design, but sadly way out of my price range (if any were for sale). There are others quite wonderful in design, but I will say that these are the best of the best.

For me it's best sound, because it's all about the music... Brunswick Cortez makes me happy.

As a newcomer to this forum, I don't feel the need to own anything exotic but looks have something to do with it. I have a Victor Vlll which was my first purchase. It is probably not what I would have purchased first, looking back, but it represents a period. To complement that, I have a Canadian Consolette 4-3 in Walnut. It looks and sounds great and it also represents a period. Then I have an Edison Fireside which has a Diamond B reproducer and I have an adapter to switch to a C or H, if I decide to do that. I also have 3 Edison Diamond Disc players, a B 150,a C-19 in Golden Oak, a C-250 in Mahogany and to top it off an Edison GEM which I love for the exposed and wonderful gears. I, at some point, would like to own, perhaps a Victor lll with an outside horn. I like the looks of it and it is affordable. So, of all, I would have to say the GEM, C250 ,C 19 and the consolette are my favorites. I don't feel a need to own the best, just the ones that I like and which will play my records. If best means most expensive then I am in left field but I don't care.

Personally, I think that "best" has also a lot to do with the motor. A powerful, steady and silent motor improves greatly the listening experience.

I remember that I didn't buy, many years ago, a very nice Decca "trench" because its motor was so noisy that it could be heard while playing (usually they're silent, but that specific unit was noisy for some reason).

Weak motors will stop with worn-out or touchy records, or even worse will slow down in loud passages turning a nice tune into the meow of a cat in the alley.

I also have a Columbia 112a that gives a fluttery sound when it's fully winded up. That's very unpleasant, especially with higher tones. Oddly enough, it plays well when winded only half-way or ⅔.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Oddly enough, it plays well when winded only half-way or ⅔.

In my experience, that means the spring grease is not distributed evenly the whole length of the spring. If running the spring all the way down a few times does not re-distribute the grease and cure the problem when the spring is fully wound, then you probably need to add more grease.

What is the best is subjective. But the best in my opinion is a Edison for Diamond Discs, after all Edison invented the system, and nothing but a Edison Diamond Disc does best to replicate the sound.

The lateral records are a different story, many makes and models and what really is the best. In my opinion, a strong silent motor and a great soundbox. Hmm, I think Victor does that well with the Victrola. But, not every Victrola has a solid motor or a quiet motor. I find some of the early motors to be the most fragile and noisy (i.e. very early Victrola VV-IV and VV-VI) in addition to their short springs.

In my opinion it comes down to whether you want an Acoustic or Orthophonic, and their are many great ones with the double spring motors.

I've always considered myself as a machine collector although I own a good many records. As a machine collector I always consider two things, the degree of rarity and the condition of the machine. Many early machines like a drip pan Gem or a Trademark Berliner are primitive but sound reproduction is secondary. If model was primarily available in oak but mahogany was available on request, I want the most unusual. That's why I sought out a mahogany Triumph and an VV-XVI with a special painted finish. Those things are "best" for me. Jerry B.

I find it not only subjective - but also moving - somehow a bit like the type of concepts - like "love" "art" "freedom" etc. i.e. perpetually changing... my favourite today will be sold in a year or two when we know one another so well that there´s nothing more to say... but there ARE a couple of exceptions. Maybe they are FAMILY?