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Which the single most favorite Victor in your collection? Why is it your favorite?

VV-IX (Mahogany; circa 1918)

It is my favorite because it is a tabletop and has the classic "Victrola" style.
All mainsprings were replaced, new governor springs, and rebuilt reproducers. I have 3 reproducers (Exhibition, Victrola #2 and Victrola #4) that I can interchange.

P.S. A special thanks to Harvey on the forum for coming through with a nice Victrola No. 4, I use it alot on my VV-IX for Orthophonic records.

That's a hard question to answer, since they all have different virtues. I was tempted to choose my 8-35, since it's the best sounding. In the end, I think I will go with the Victor III. While common, it was my first outside horn machine, and is the one I play the most. Incidentally, it's the machine that gets the most attention from non-collector guests, even more so than the cylinder machines, or even the Pathéphone. I think it's really the horn that sets it apart, which is a beautiful Paris Green color (I've always wondered if this thing is loaded with Arsenic...), and was ordered new with the machine by the original owner (I am the second).

Hmmm, difficult decision I agree but I might have to say this Victor IV set up with the aftermarket Linenoid horn. It actually came originally with a mahogany spearpoint. I've kept the spearpoint and it will go back on the machine if I should decide to sell it.

Bruce, that Linenoid horn of yours is one of my favorites. I often dream of it.

I have a late Victor-B with the "fish mouth" or "dolphin" sides instead of the "fluer de lis." This makes it a bit rarer. I went to an auction that had publicized "phonograph and speakers." On one table were a few horns (speakers), an incomplete Busy Bee and the incomplete "fish mouth" B! The auction started at 9:00. The table with the Vic-B on it did not get auctioned until 3:30 that afternoon. You can imagine how that drove me crazy! They would not put anything up early! Everything was there accept the crank, horn and elbow! There was a long throat Victor Concert in the wooden travel arm! There were NO OTHER PHONOGRAPH COLLECTORS there that I recognized. I was a very new collector at the time. I knew the machine was special, but did not know how special!

Anyway, I don't much remember the drive home from the auction after I was lucky enough to get the machine. It has always been one of my prize pieces. And, yes, I was able to complete the machine!

Greetings,
Jeff
vic-b

There all my favorites. That's why I collect them... . I would say if there had to be one......my Vic.6 with #10 and all brass horn.

My Vic V with spearpoint horn is my favorite. It looks great, sounds fabulous and is simply an all-round impressive machine. I also have a full set of reproducers: Exhibition, No. 2, No. 4 and an Improved Concert. I mostly use the round hole Exhibition which came with it but some records sound better with other reproducers.
Like HisMastersVoice I had a hard time deciding between the Vic V and my 8-30. The 8-30 is equally virtuous in its own way and I use it as much or more than the V but the V won, partially because it is visually more impressive and I've owned it for more than 40 years.

Jim

I agree with a previous poster in that each of my phonographs have different attributes, but I would probably say that my VV 4-20, VV 350, and VE 8-35X are the ones I most turn to for general playing. They all have great sound, even though the VV 350 isn't an orthophonic. Sometimes it depends on the day and the mood.

HisMastersVoice wrote:Bruce, that Linenoid horn of yours is one of my favorites. I often dream of it.

I like it too but also have to say that pastel green horn on your III is perfect for it, really sets it apart.