The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Is the HMV 102 basically a Orthophonic Portable?

Victrolacollector wrote:Is the HMV 102 basically a Orthophonic Portable?

I know I am asking a stupid question but what is a 'orthophonic Portable' please ? What does that mean I wonder ?

The 102 is the British equivalent to the US orthophonic portable, although all they really have in common is each company's version of the orthophonic soundbox.

The 102 is far, far better than an orthophonic portable, in that it's smaller and lighter, and does not rely upon a crappy pot metal tonearm bracket like they do. They are quiet and reliable, and sound fantastic.

They turn up in the US more frequently than one might expect, and I highly recommend seeking one.

Victrolacollector wrote:Is the HMV 102 basically a Orthophonic Portable?

To add to what Peter said, I'd say it's a perfected Orthophonic portable.

According to "The Perfect Portable" by David Cooper, the executives at the Gramophone Company, when they were designing a follow-on to the HMV 101 portable, studied Victor's Orthophonic portable and found it lacking. Nonetheless, the HMV 102 incorporates all of the major acoustic design features--notably, an air-tight exponentially tapered tone chamber (tonearm & horn) coupled with a modified Orthophonic sound box. Initially, it was equipped with the HMV 16 sound box which was nearly identical to the one fitted to the Orthophonic 2-35 portable. This was soon replaced with the HMV 5a sound box which was fitted with the same diaphragm used in the Orthophonic sound box, but the needle bar pivot was based on the one used for the #4 sound box. Later in production, the 5a was replaced by the 5b sound box which had the same Orthophonic style diaphragm incorporating a modified pivoting ring.

As for the improvements, compared to the VV-2-55 portable, the HMV 102 is lighter weight, has a vastly improved auto-brake, and is more compact, while delivering the same quality sonic performance.

OrthoFan

poodling around wrote:

Victrolacollector wrote:Is the HMV 102 basically a Orthophonic Portable?

I know I am asking a stupid question but what is a 'orthophonic Portable' please ? What does that mean I wonder ?

Here's a useful primer --

Orthophonic Victrola -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Or ... c_Victrola
...a far more detailed one -- http://www.gracyk.com/credenza.shtml

There were two portable phonographs made by the Victor Talking Machine Co. incorporating the Orthophonic design principles -- The VV-2-35 ( http://www.victor-victrola.com/2-35.htm ) and the VV-2-55 ( http://www.victor-victrola.com/2-55.htm ). A third model, the VV-2-65 ( http://www.victor-victrola.com/2-65.htm ) which is similar in style to the HMV 102, was introduced in 1930, just after the 1929 acquisition of Victor by RCA. (I think there may be others, but they're relatively rare.)

Here's a video showcasing the VV-2-55 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvvWPybVe-M

HTH,
OrthoFan

OrthoFan wrote:

poodling around wrote:

Victrolacollector wrote:Is the HMV 102 basically a Orthophonic Portable?

I know I am asking a stupid question but what is a 'orthophonic Portable' please ? What does that mean I wonder ?

Here's a useful primer --

Orthophonic Victrola -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Or ... c_Victrola
...a far more detailed one -- http://www.gracyk.com/credenza.shtml

There were two portable phonographs made by the Victor Talking Machine Co. incorporating the Orthophonic design principles -- The VV-2-35 and the VV-2-55. A third model, the VV-2-65 which is similar in style to the HMV 102 was introduced in 1930, just after the acquisition of Victor by RCA. (I think there may be others, but they're relatively rare.)



Here's a video showcasing the VV-2-55 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvvWPybVe-M

HTH,
OrthoFan

Thank you very much.

I have never heard of an Orthophonic anything before - and neither has this forum's spellchecker apparently

poodling around wrote: Thank you very much.
I have never heard of an Orthophonic anything before - and neither has this forum's spellchecker apparently

Interestingly, I edited my post and clicked on the submit button probably seconds after you posted this. In any event, I added a few more links, above, showing the various models, along with a little more detailed information.

OrthoFan

OrthoFan wrote:

poodling around wrote: Thank you very much.
I have never heard of an Orthophonic anything before - and neither has this forum's spellchecker apparently

Interestingly, I edited my post and clicked on the submit button probably seconds after you posted this. In any event, I added a few more links, above, showing the various models, along with a little more detailed information.

OrthoFan

Thank you very much again. I will have a look and educate myself.

They are orthophonic in that they are refined developments of the design- what RCA Victor might have built if they hadn't decided to scrap portable production in the early 30's.

estott wrote:They are orthophonic in that they are refined developments of the design- what RCA Victor might have built if they hadn't decided to scrap portable production in the early 30's.

They didn't actually scrap portable production, they just kept it low-key. LIFE has ads for Victrola acoustic portables as far forward as 1939.