The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all, new guy here, the wife told me I could get a Victrola for Christmas! After picking my self off the floor, from fainting, I gave that some thought and remembered our first Victrola we had, a VV-215. It played ok, and I liked the low boy configuration rather then the the tall type. But after a hour or two of reading on the web of the various types of phonographs, I guess a Victrola Orthophonic would be my best bet?? I still have some classical music records that are all 78's and from the 30's and early 40's.
So I admittedly don't know much at all about Victrola's. I do some antique radio repair and love doing that, and a fella I know has a VV-X for $100 and the local Craig's list has a VV-4-40 for sale. The local thrift shop has a VV-210 for make an offer looks nice but I kinda wanted a nicer model. a VV-220? are they any good? or the VV-4-40? What do you all suggest?

Thanks, and God bless.
mike

VV-X is a lower-end model, but they are still nice and put out a big sound. Mine is my primary player for acoustic 78s. I also have a VV 4-40 and I can vouch for the fact that they sound very good, although they lack in bass somewhat since the horn is kind of small. However, the sound is still quite rich and nice. It's only a step below my VV 8-12, and does just fine for classical music. Having never had a VV-220, I cannot speak from experience but what I can tell you for sure is that it is pre-Orthophonic like the VV-X and will not be suitable for your classical records from the '30s and '40s.

If I were only going to have one Victrola, for me it would have to be a Victor Orthophonic Credenza (later ones were designated a model VV 8-30). One in good condition is a handsome machine and the sound was about as good as it ever got for an acoustic machine. They were made in enough volume that they are not that difficult to find at a reasonable price.

Clay

FloridaClay wrote:If I were only going to have one Victrola, for me it would have to be a Victor Orthophonic Credenza (later ones were designated a model VV 8-30). One in good condition is a handsome machine and the sound was about as good as it ever got for an acoustic machine. They were made in enough volume that they are not that difficult to find at a reasonable price.

Clay

Gene Gemering has a nice Orthophonic for sale at a good price listed here in the Yankee Trader section of the forum: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =9&t=23909

Fran

Where is home for you? Let's look at craigslist near you. Jerry B.

Your wife is wonderful but don't be in a rush if you cannot find what you want by Christmas. Make her give you an IOU in a card that you can redeem when you find that perfect one!

A Credenza is a great performing machine but they are so big and heavy. If you are looking for a smaller package that gives good performance, you should consider a VV 4-3 known as a "Consolette". They are frequently seen and two people can move one easily. Jerry

The suitcase Victors VV-2-55 and VV-2-65 have great sound for 30s and 40s records, and you can take them with you on picnics! Also keep in mind the Brunswick and Columbia competitors to the Victor Orthophonic machines. They can actually sound better than Orthos, but they are harder to find.

I LOVE my 4-3 Consolette. Jerry is right.

If you are choosing between the machines you mentioned in the first message, I would get the VV 4-40 (if it is a good price and in good condition). It is an Orthophonic machine and they can sound very very good! I have one (a 4-40X) and it is a fabulous machine. That is, if you don't mind that it takes up a little more space because it is a console/lowboy.