The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just got this wonderful Brunswick Cortez. I'm very happy with it. Beautiful machine! Here are some recordings of it in action....

Raymond Scott's "The Penguin" http://www.vintageip.com/xfers/thepenguin.mp3

Raymond Scott's "Dinner Music For A Pack Of Hungry Cannibals" http://www.vintageip.com/xfers/dinnermusic.mp3

Ted Lewis "St Louis Blues" http://www.vintageip.com/xfers/stlouisblues.mp3

Ted Lewis "My Mama's In Town" http://www.vintageip.com/xfers/mamasintown.mp3

That is a nice phonograph! Thanks for sharing the photos and music.

Awesome Brunswick!!! I had a Seville years ago and it was very loud. Thanks for posting this.
Ken Brekke

WOW That is one nice brunswick! I've never seen one personally but I've always thought that brunswick's cabinet work was very nice and I've heard that the brinswick's can sound much better then an orthophonic. The Cortex has one that I definitely hope to own in the future.
-Tom

I too recently got a Cortez. It has a distinct sound compared to the Credenza, The Credenza has better lows, but the Cortez shines in the mid and highs. Very nice machines, I really like mine!

Sean

The big difference between the Cortez and the Credenza is acoustic records... The Cortez does better with them, because it maintains the forward projection of the sound, especially with vocals. The Credenza can make acoustics sound a little muffled and distant. The Credenza is a bit better with low frequencies, but electrical transcription is even better at pulling that out. But electrical transcription of acoustics can be tough. It's all a balance of compromises, I guess.

I'm also very happy with my Cortez. Interestingly, to me anyway, is that mine is also located in front of my fireplace, as is yours.

Very impressive sound! Now, how does it do with large ensemble (i.e., orchestral) music? I ask because my XI sounds great with small groups, up to and including big swing bands, but is not so great with symphonic music; the sound gets muddled and lacks clarity.

Henry,

Clarity is where the Cortez excels.

My music room doubles as a theater with HD projection and a screen that drops down behind the rafters. Luckily, the 1920s casters on the legs still work, so I can wheel the phonograph over against the wall when I want to screen a movie.

I tried playing my loudest record with a loud tone needle, and it was still totally clear. My ears were ringing more than the phonograph!