The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I know that Improved Concerts aren't the most common reproducers, and the gold versions even less so, but $417???? and there were only 3 bids with 2 bidders. I thought it was overpriced for the opening bid of $250, even with the box. Am I just out of touch with the times? I know I didn't pay more than $150 for mine (granted it didn't come with a box). Is the box that much of a premium?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victrola-Victor ... true&rt=nc

Mine cost me $200 but it came with a victrola XI.

Mine, gold/no box, cost $115.00 at Stanton's about 3 years ago. Several years ago, I sold a nickel plated one for $200.00 though. Gold plating does seem to bring a premium over nickel, from what I have seen and, of course I would like to have a box for mine.

Jim

Zeppy wrote:I know that Improved Concerts aren't the most common reproducers, and the gold versions even less so, but $417???? and there were only 3 bids with 2 bidders. I thought it was overpriced for the opening bid of $250, even with the box. Am I just out of touch with the times? I know I didn't pay more than $150 for mine (granted it didn't come with a box). Is the box that much of a premium?

Seems over priced to me also. But they don't show up often and when you have two bidders that both feel they need it now. This is what happens.

Larry Crandell

How do these sound compared to an Exhibition and/or No. 2?

I don't think the Improved Concert, even when rebuilt, sounds anything but perhaps a little louder than an Exhibition, but not quite the dynamic or volume a properly rebuilt and adjusted #2 has.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:I don't think the Improved Concert, even when rebuilt, sounds anything but perhaps a little louder than an Exhibition, but not quite the dynamic or volume a properly rebuilt and adjusted #2 has.

Sean

Okay. No interest in getting one, then.

I wouldn't go out of my way to find one. Mine came with a machine, otherwise I wouldn't have one, I never use it. The fact that they have no rubber isolator in back nor a needle bar that is adjustable by tension springs always made me think they're probably a little harsher on 78s.

Sean

I don't know why Victor even bothered with it. They could have developed something far superior to even the No. 2 by the time the Improved Concert was put on the market. I compared my restored one with a couple of Exhibitions that I just restored and honestly, I can't hear much difference. A restored No. 2 sounds far better and I'm not much of a fan of those either. Oh well, mine cleaned up very nicely and looks great in my showcase.

Jim