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Re: Slight buzzing from reproducer.

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:24 pm
by Inigo
Nice!
These late Paillard reproducers are a marvel, although, for my taste, I find them too powerful and a little bouncing on the bass, but this makes their sound very funny with certain records. They are, in the other hand, a bit harder on records than others, due to the small compliance of their needlebar fulcrum system and high lever ratio, a bit abusing on records. For me (others have different opinions) the best reproducers, in sound and overall performance, and less wear on records, are the orthophonic style Victors or HMVs (5a and 5b). You should try to get one of these.
Paillard made these diaphragms in the 1930s and early 1940s and sold them to many gramophone makers under their brand, looks this you've got, labelled Mayfair, which was a British brand of gramophones.
But your portable... does it have a brand name in any other place than on the soundbox front plaque?
More photos would be illustrative for us to see it... The motor or whatever details...

Re: Slight buzzing from reproducer.

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 12:13 am
by mrvic2
Inigo wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:24 pm Nice!
These late Paillard reproducers are a marvel, although, for my taste, I find them too powerful and a little bouncing on the bass, but this makes their sound very funny with certain records. They are, in the other hand, a bit harder on records than others, due to the small compliance of their needlebar fulcrum system and high lever ratio, a bit abusing on records. For me (others have different opinions) the best reproducers, in sound and overall performance, and less wear on records, are the orthophonic style Victors or HMVs (5a and 5b). You should try to get one of these.
Paillard made these diaphragms in the 1930s and early 1940s and sold them to many gramophone makers under their brand, looks this you've got, labelled Mayfair, which was a British brand of gramophones.
But your portable... does it have a brand name in any other place than on the soundbox front plaque?
More photos would be illustrative for us to see it... The motor or whatever details...
You can say that again on the power! It definitely has a habit of running me out of the room whenever I play it.

In terms of record wear, I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary, but I'll definitely try to look for one of those when I am able to.

The same logo that is placed on the front is also on the inside of the lid. I'll be able to take some pictures of the logo & the motor tomorrow.

Re: Slight buzzing from reproducer.

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 2:03 pm
by mrvic2
Here's the pictures you requested

Re: Slight buzzing from reproducer.

Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:18 pm
by Inigo
Very nice. Authentic british May Fair portable.
How some is the rubber connector between the soundbox and the tonearm? It looks a bit tired, or maybe misplaced... This is an important part. In the Paillard models I've seen this connection is different.

Re: Slight buzzing from reproducer.

Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:20 pm
by mrvic2
Inigo wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:18 pm Very nice. Authentic british May Fair portable.
How some is the rubber connector between the soundbox and the tonearm? It looks a bit tired, or maybe misplaced... This is an important part. In the Paillard models I've seen this connection is different.
I think its not original, its very hard to fit it onto the tonearm. It is clear as well iirc (not at home right now), if that helps at all.