A new diaphragm Test by Nick, "Victrola Boy".

[larryh]

Our quest to provide decent sound for our Edison Disc machines has recently taken on several new designs. Several versions by Phonoboy are listed here in the Music Section. This latest is by Victrola Boy or Nick to many of us.. A very promising young man for sure. He sent me his latest design which is quite similar to the original as is the other new version. In this case I find that it has a louder output than mine when heard in a acoustically friendly space. The detail is pulled from the records quite well for sure. There are a few variations in how his an mine vary and some might well prefer his and some mine. Thats how things work an we all hear things somewhat differently. I am sure we all will welcome the new interest in producing a diaphragm that really brings out the best in our records.

This first video is of Salt You Sugar by the Jazz-o-Harmonist.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTmmiBodNw


Larry

[Victrolacollector]

Hi Larry:

Thanks for posting...that diaphragm does put out great volume. It seems they all have something different to offer. Again, yours also sounds great as well.

[larryh]

I think that Nick has an edge on mine from listening to many records in comparisons. I don't mind that, as long as good sound is produced I don't care who does it.

Larry

[pughphonos]

I think that Nick has an edge on mine from listening to many records in comparisons. I don't mind that, as long as good sound is produced I don't care who does it.

Larry

I'll agree that everyone brings something different to the table. I went ahead and ordered one of Phonoboy's diaphragms and tested it today. After hearing that one I remain sold--solidly--on Larry's. Larry is modest to a fault. I have never found anything that is in the same league as Larry's yellow foam diaphragms--particularly the flying saucer-shaped ones (with some degree of vertical depth, with a divot around the post that anchors the string) that he was making around 2012.

I must test the others that are in the offing--but they have a steep hill to climb.

It's on account of Larry's diaphragms that 95% of my disc listening is via my Edisonic phonograph. Once I complete some cosmetic work on its cabinet I must post some videos of it playing--and hopefully that can convey the awesome sound that Larry's diaphragms extract from the Diamond Discs.

Ralph

[larryh]

Ralph,

I appreciate your consistent support for my True Tone Design. But I have always gone by listening and when something provides an even better sound I am willing to say so. I have thought of you when I listened to the Victrola Boy version thinking I wonder what Ralph would say now? Unfortunately I have been unable to upload to you tube hardly any videos since I received the the one from Nick. Some times things between the two are a bit different and at times I think I prefer a section of music with mine but in other places or in some records the whole thing is simply better with the Victrola Boy version. I was very impressed when I played the electrical piano late selection of the Chopin Nocturne. In that I heard the dynamics of the piano much sharper and with more sensitivity and volume than in mine. I knew then he had accomplished quite a lot in his design. The only flaw I found was a slight tendency to blur the sound of the upper horns in some selections. I passed that along and he is currently working on finding and fixing that minor issue. Most people would most likely never even notice it. I am sure that when he has them available you will be very pleased to listen to it. I am just glad that some people have stepped up to improve farther the sound beyond what I had accomplished. My main goal always was to encourage more people to come forward with designs that would provide edison owners with choices of quality sound. I think that is happening.

Larry

[pughphonos]

I am sure that when he has them available you will be very pleased to listen to it. I am just glad that some people have stepped up to improve farther the sound beyond what I had accomplished. My main goal always was to encourage more people to come forward with designs that would provide edison owners with choices of quality sound. I think that is happening. Larry

Well, bring it on. As a church organist/pianist I'm fussy about tonality and I'm not going to defer even to YOUR judgment on this until I hear with my own ears. You created something d*mned amazing. But if Victrola Boy has a better product, I'll be in his corner.

So, his is made with layers of shellacked paper and cork similar to the original design? I'm skeptical that the old configuration can rival your foam saucer. But, again, bring it on.

Final comment. The diaphragm is the heart of the acoustical phonograph--and especially in the Edison disc phonographs as they didn't have anything remarkable going in terms of horn design. Edison's reproducers, on the other hand, literally allow more "wiggle room" for diaphragms of different shapes and substances to prove themselves; a century later inventors are still having a go at them! I think Tom, that old goof, would be proud.

Final final comment. I have a copy of "Salt Your Sugar" (Diamond Disc #51247-L) and tomorrow I'm going to play it using your diaphragm. I'll record using my camera and then try to shoot the file to you.

[pughphonos]

OK, folks. I've finally make a recording of my Schubert Edisonic with Larry's diaphragm in its Edisonic reproducer. I can die happy, having an acoustical phonograph that sounds this good.

I haven't weighed in on the other thread about which Edison disc machine sounds best. But I think my Schubert Edisonic sounds darned good and I have no desire to go back to a Chippendale.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcZvCDo ... e=youtu.be

[pughphonos]

Another video to my You Tube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azp_5eA ... e=youtu.be

I've got to get a better system for recording--but it's all I have at the moment.

[marcapra]

I went ahead and ordered one of Phonoboy's diaphragms and tested it today. After hearing that one I remain sold--solidly--on Larry's.

One thing that should me made clear for this thread is that the Phonoboy diaphragm that Ralph bought and Nick's "Victrola Boy" diaphragm are two different products. When I read the above post from Pughphonos, I thought he was referring to Nick's new diaphragm.

[Victrolaboy]

Thank you for clarifying that Marc.
Hello I'm Nick AKA VictrolaBoy. Here is a picture of my diaphragm. Made of shellaced paper and cork. The link is made of three strands of button thread. This is the design Larry H really likes. I'm still trying to perfect it but so far I'm liking the sound it's producing. I'm a musician so I'm also very picky about tone.