The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

That's very nice indeed! I'm pretty certain it was built by Waters-Conley or Prime, although the diagonal crank may be a specific Victor design. I think that you can get a very good sound out of the off-brand machines like Birch (especially the higher end ones with larger horns) if they are properly rebuilt.

Here are some shots of the innards of the Telefunken.

Thanks for posting those pictures Larry. The horn looks as though it would produce slightly better sound than the 101 horn. They are very similar. I don't recognise the motor. Paillard did use a similar numbering system on their later motors, but it doesn't look like a Paillard motor to me.
I'd imagine the sound quality would be quite pleasing & better than the HMV 101- especially if it has the slightly larger soundbox.

Shane,

Yes it does I notice have a very nicely shaped and extra wide horn. I think that is part of the secret of the reasonable tone. The measurements of the outside of the reproducer is 2 ⅞ inches across.

Larry

Last night I sat down and played the Telefunken with some good Orthophonic pieces and I was very impressed at the clear tone and wide range of sound, more than I would expect from a portable. I would love to hear the others in person to compare, but alas I can't. I had a friend that loved the Columbia wood grain portable, but I didn't get the same sensation I do from this one. I wish I was up on how to record and display the sound but am not, and probably never will.

ahmm for me, HMV 101...

I have a Columbia 163, they are a very nice machine. I also have a model 101 Brunswick portable, thing weighs a ton but a nice machine. Those are the only 2 i own. Id like to find a nice orthophonic portable, some day in my searches i will find one

I'm fit and reasonably strong and able to lift things, but I always found carrying the VV-50 was a little tiring. If I didn't park close to the final resting place, carrying it was a burden. The metal handle also was uncomfortable. I always loved the presentation of the VV-50 cabinet, but was concerned about setting antique varnished wood on damp terrain or rough concrete. Still, it sounded GREAT, I think better than any other portable I've used.

I would not buy an Orthophonic imitation from the 1930s or 1940s. They usually have a lot of pot metal parts and never sound good. The reproducers don't work well and they don't have the volume that the Victor 50 did.

Eventually I sold all my portables as the novelty of playing 78s outside grew thin. Perhaps once a year I'll haul my Victor III (outside horn machine) into the back yard to amuse my friends at a party, but that's it.

Damon

I'm sure the intent of this thread did not include Edison cylinder machines but my favorite portable is an Edison Gem Model B. It has the 2&4 minute conversion and easily plays one four minute cylinder per winding. I take it to every 4th of July celebration. Last year we were in Alameda, CA on the 4th. I played Stars & Stripes and other cylinders while we lounged around the motel pool. What fun! Jerry Blais

One vote for HMV 102 here!

I also have Columbia portable from the 30s, but although the machine was built well, and pretty much user-friendly, the sound quality cannot compete with HMV 102.