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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victor-Victor ... 0966691363

This well preserved example must be a rarity here in the UK. It even has all but one of it's record albums.

Such a large cabinet, such a small horn......

Yes, indeed the horn is rather small for one of these, but they sound incredibly good.

Sean (who owns three different VTLA / L-doors)

As the owner of another L-Door (VTLA), I have to agree with Sean. I love mine and they are somewhat rare. The 3000 listed in the description is incorrect I think, but still an nice looking and historically interesting machine. My 2 cents.

Matt

The story behind its arrival in UK should be good. It's actually a Canadian machine: note the Berliner Gram-o-phone Montreal ID tag. So it should have the pretty 'sparkle' detailing on the back bracket not seen on the American L-doors. It does have a horn smaller than later Victrolas so the bass response is lacking. However, with a well restored exhibition reproducer, it will recreate vocals very well. I find it difficult to stand in front of mine when Caruso is playing. All-in-all, a must-have for the serious collector and a great price.

Torjazzer wrote:...with a well restored exhibition reproducer, it will recreate vocals very well. I find it difficult to stand in front of mine when Caruso is playing.

Ditto on my XI-G. The high notes in "Celeste Aida" (Vic 88127) will knock spots off the wallpaper, even played with soft-tone needle. It's like standing in front of the man himself! You can practically feel his breath pushing out the notes!

Something about Caruso's vocal apparatus made his voice ideal for acoustical recording; the timbre lay right in its "sweet spot" of the frequency response. The equivalent in sopranos, though not as rich and full because of the acoustical's high frequency fall-off, would be Galli-Curci, IMO.

I agree that the voices of Caruso and Galli-Curci ideally suited the acoustic recording process, and I would add McCormack to that select company.

Much as I would like this machine it is a long way from my home, I have no room for it and I am not even sure it would fit in my car, even if I could lift it.

epigramophone wrote: Much as I would like this machine it is a long way from my home, I have no room for it and I am not even sure it would fit in my car, even if I could lift it.

That's a pity. It's highly unlikely another machine in this condition will come your away any time soon. They are sought-after on this side of the Atlantic. I can only imagine the interest it would generate in the UK.

Still no bids. I'm very surprised.

Torjazzer wrote:Still no bids. I'm very surprised.

The machine remains unsold, having failed to attract a single bid.

The UK market is very different from the USA. The only cabinet gramophones in great demand are the earliest (Sheraton Grand etc) and latest (163,193/4 & 202/3) HMV's and among other makes the really unusual, such as chinoiserie finish or oddball shapes e.g. miniature grand piano.

Anything else is usually difficult to sell, not least because the average UK house is smaller than the average American one.

At present, portables appear to be the only growth area in the UK market.

Now relisted with a HIGHER starting price . That should sell it .