My quest is finally over!!!

[jeff spicoli]

On Sunday I was watching football and browsing the internet and looked at my local Craigslist ads. I usually type in Victrola just to see what's out there and I saw a ad for old 1904 Victrola and when I saw the pictures I knew in an instant it was a VV 8-30!!! I called the guy and we set up a time for me to come and look at it.

I posted back in the winter that I had wanted to get a Credenza and which one would be the best. My search finally came to an end!!! I traded a real nice air compressor that I got in a trade a while back and $300.....plus $37 for gas!! I might have paid a bit too much but considering I have always wanted one and this one was local it is worth it to me.

It does have some problems with a broken pot metal piece and some veneer issues but it does have all its feet, the grill cloth is perfect, and when I picked it up the guy was playing it. So I know it produces sound.....and since I've never heard how a Credenza is supposed to sound I am assuming the reproducer will need fixed.

I have tons of questions running in my head but the first one is when I get this working properly does room placement make a difference? I have a pair of Klipschorns speakers and they are designed to go in a corner but what about this? will it get better bass if its in a corner or next to a wall?

I am really happy about this one. I've only had it 3 days and when I walk past it I have to do a double take because I cant believe its mine!!! Here are some pictures. Please let me know what you all think.

[OrthoSean]

It certainly looks like it will clean up. It could be the pictures, but it looks very "thin" finish-wise on the outside? The only thing I see that's really wrong is the grill cloth, it's not original.

Congrats! They're great sounding machines (and I prefer mine in the corner, it does make a difference sound-wise).

Sean

[jeff spicoli]

Dang it I was for sure that the cloth is original!! Do you think it is at least period?

It also has a broken piece of pot metal....what do you call that thing? can it be replaced?

[Lucius1958]

It also has a broken piece of pot metal....what do you call that thing? can it be replaced?

You mean the tone arm bracket? You might be able to reconstruct the broken bit with epoxy putty.

How's the reproducer? Any cracks?

Bill

[jeff spicoli]

There are no cracks on the reproducer that I can see. Is it better to have a brass reproducer as opposed to the pot metal? I read somewhere where the reason they changed to pot metal is because it sounded better?

If it did sounded better then why do the brass reproducers bring so much money on that auction site? Is it because they are less trouble? and depending on which one is better, is it safe to assume that you can use any ortho reproducer from a different machine?

[Phototone]

All sound playback devices (acoustic or speaker based) have better bass when placed in a corner.

[phonojim]

Ron Sitko has the tonearm brackets for about $70.00. I waited a long time for my 8-30 too. I was really EXCITED to get it and still am 15+ years later.

Jim

[jeff spicoli]

Thank you for all the responses. I have one more question about the finish.

Is it acceptable to use Howards Restore a Finish on machines like these? or is it better to use what the factory used? What about Danish oil? What are your thoughts on that?

[JerryVan]

Jeff,

Congratulations!

I would not put anything on the finish until I glued the loose veneer back down.

A brass or pot metal reproducer will work equally fine, assuming they are in good condition. The pot metal variety are less likely to be in good condition however, that's why the brass ones are expensive.

Do some searching on this forum for sealing the horn & tone arm. It makes a big difference in sound.

[Roaring20s]

With all of its surmountable issues you should feel very lucky.
Too many have been gutted...
or worse...

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