The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My opinion is that the quality of any record after 100+ years cannot be compared to their quality when new. None of us bought them new and heard them as they were. In the meantime, who knows what they were played with or how they were taken care of. Visually, a number of HMV records I have look like they were played very little, like red label Victors. On the other hand, popular American records sometimes look like they were played with rusty nails...

Curt A wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 5:42 pm My opinion is that the quality of any record after 100+ years cannot be compared to their quality when new. None of us bought them new and heard them as they were. In the meantime, who knows what they were played with or how they were taken care of. Visually, a number of HMV records I have look like they were played very little, like red label Victors. On the other hand, popular American records sometimes look like they were played with rusty nails...

Good point.

Another thing is that I happen to like 'hiss' and 'crackle' - I find that it transports me back to 'the time' more easily. Seems more 'real' in my imagination.

Oh ............... anyway ............. just me then ...........

It is not that easy just to say „British or european reocrds are made from better material“, but I think I know what you mean.

As in case of HMV and Victor most people prefer the Victor for obvious reasons. Still, the laminated HMV‘s in france are superior to the Victor IF they are in good condition and that is often a problem because they seem to wear down fast.
The by far best results you will get from the german Electrola if the title was released over her.
In many cases german pressings will outclass even a fine american or british pressing, because records were much more expensive and therefore made from better materials.

The difference will get even get much bigger if you compare a US-Decca from the late 30s to a german Brunswick or a Imperial (which even was a cheaper label) to a Vocalion.
Pressings after the great depression are well-known for there very bad material - just think of the red Columbias…

Luckily german Brunswick, Odeon, Kristall and Imperial were exported in more or less great Numbers. German Electrola and Columbia aren‘t as easy to find on the other hand…

Off course there can be many more good or Bad pressings also depending on year of productions. For example I think most japanese Victor and Columbia are also made of a fine mixture of schellac before the outbrake of the war