VV-7-3 on eBay

[phonophan79]

I just thought this was a very handsome looking machine... big... and all those radio dials are crazy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0098213876

[OrthoFan]

That seems to be in beautiful, near original condition, but it will probably take quite a bit of work to make the radio operational.

In terms of sound quality, if the radio/victrola valve unit (I forget what it's called) is in good condition, so the coupling is air-tight, it should perform very well. It will probably sound just like a VV-4-7 or later model Granada, which used a similar, if not identical, small divided (two chamber) horn.

One of these years, I hope to replace my semi-amputated 4-40, (with it's "Oh-my-God-What-have-I-done-to-it!" type finish) with a similarly pristine 4-7 or 4-20. I've never owned a Victrola that didn't have a semi-botched finish, and think it's about time I made the investment--funds permitting, of course... ...

[Kirkwood]

Of course, once the Radiola is operational, you'll need the electronic battery-replacement power supply AND a little low-watt AM transmitter so you have something more "period" coming from the speaker. My friend in Baltimore has such a transmitter, his is hooked up to the computer set to the Radio Dismuke site. We sat in his living room one evening last summer, listening to the thirties dance music coming from his Capehart. Given that his house is a time-travel experience anyway, the whole effect was very neat and more than just a little Twilight Zone in feel. There was a thunderstorm in the distance, so the radio registered the appropriate amount of crackle and static. As with most hobbies, you're never really "done", there's always something more out there to enhance the project......

[Lenoirstreetguy]

The Radiola 20 used in that combination is a LOT easier to repair than a Radiola Superheterodyne as used in the more expensive offerings. This one is a straight tuned radio frequency circuit which means that they are much less complicated than the " super", Not only that , but the wiring isn't sealed in a can, so with determination and a soldering iron you can fix the silly thing. The 20 is a set which I've never fiddled with so I can't give you a performance review, but they supposedly worked quite well although they do require an external aerial and ground. They didn't seem to be that common up here for some reason . The Radiola Supers on the other hand are not rare at all.

Jim

[estott]

I think the Superhet sets were more expensive and when people bought something costly like a radio-phonograph they often went for a higher grade option. My mother's parents were an upper working class couple in Allentown PA, but in the 40's Grandmother bought a Capehart- I suspect the dealer gave her a speech about Quality and Lasting Value...