The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm wondering if anyone's seen one of these before. Is it a replacement/aftermarket reproducer?
It came on a VV-IV I bought recently. From what I've read, this 1917 VV-IV should have a #2 reproducer. Is that right?

That would have been an after-market upgrade.

There was a discussion on this forum last year as to whether the VV-IV was ever factory-equipped with the No. 2 sound box -- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=25256 -- or if it was always fitted with the Exhibition sound box. (The Victor-Victrola page makes no mention of the sound box -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/IV.htm )

Based on what I've seen and read*** the Exhibition sound box would be correct for the VV-IV, though the No. 2 would not be inauthentic since it was available from Victor as an upgrade.

HTH,

OrthoFan

*** According to "The Victor Data Book" by Robert Baumbach, page 104, the last version of the VV-IV, shipped December 1, 1922 and discontinued 4/29/1924, was fitted with the Exhibition sound box.

The Audak Single Phase Ultra is a badge engineered Artophone reproducer. It is a reasonably good unit for updating short horned Victrola machines to allow them to better play the new electric records. Both the diaphragm and the needle bar suspension in these units is a bit too stiff for best results with a really good horn.

The much less common Audak Polyphase Ultra is, however, a truly excellent reproducer in every way, if one can find it with good pot metal