Robust Machines (Victor Machines)

[Victrolacollector]

Which Victor (including Victrola) machine do you play your 78's on the most?

Which is the most robust make and model machines?

[Victrolacollector]

I mostly play my 78's on the VV-XI tabletop. The motor is larger and strong, and the tone arm is long enough that it should be better on the records.

[Jerry B.]

Victor V - It was made to be a workhorse with a triple spring motor, long tone arm, and a big horn. Jerry

[De Soto Frank]

I think any circa 1914 - pre-Orthophonic Victrola should be pretty-much "bullet proof" in terms of mechanicals... no pot metal to worry about in the reproducers or back-brackets... and motors were pretty well sorted-out by then.


The pot-metal parts are the Achilles' Heel of the Orthophonic-era machines, although my great-grandmother's VE 8-12X is still working fine with its original pot-metal Orthophonic Soundbox and back-bracket. Hope it continues to hold-up.


I have three Victrolas in the front room - VV-XVI (1909), VV-XI (1918), and VV 8-12X. They get about equal play.

[VintageTechnologies]

I have a Victor III (my favorite) and a VV-XI tabletop, among a few others. Both of those have double springs, worm-drive gears, good torque and run reasonably quiet. Their motor design is efficient and robust, with no potmetal. The only disk motor design that rivals them is the Edison. I really don't need or want anything with a larger motor or it would be too heavy to easily carry the machine from one room to another.

[bigshot]

My VV-2-65 suitcase gets the most work. It plays just about any vintage of record well, it's easy to toss in the back seat of my car and take with me, and it sounds great.

[alang]

In the living room my L-door VV-XVI, out in the sun room my VV-4-3 and in the basement my Vic II. On the road my VV-50.

Andreas

[FloridaClay]

Of my Victor machines, the Credenza gets the most use--a faithful performer that sounds great. Next would be my Victor III, on which I like to play my early 78s. Also a good performer, although the motor is a bit noisy.

Clay

[Jerry B.]

I also use my school model Victrola 8-8 to play any newer 78s. The sound is unbelievable. Jerry Blais

[Damfino59]

My Victor IV with the spear tip horn has been a reliable workhorse. I kept it over my Victor V because it was a size that was easier to move around. Now it has found a permanent home on a period mahogeny record case. My other two Victor workhorses are golden oak XI of 1915 and a dark oak XVI of 1913. I feel the Victor's of the WWI era and before unique over what came later.

But I do have my orthophonic credenza and the British cousin the HMV194. Both dead reliable machines.