Phonographs vs. Radios and the Costs

[Victrolacollector]

Over the past few years I have acquired about a dozen tube radios. I used to think that collecting phonographs cost more than radios, I was wrong. I can work on a phonograph and do the work myself, that’s a savings. If I acquire a radio, the thing has to be gone through by someone that knows what they are doing (and that’s not me). The cost of a transformer, tubes and a cord to start can run easily over 100.00 not counting labor. I think radios are neat, but goodness they make phonograph collecting look like an affordable hobby.

[AmberolaAndy]

This is the reason I stopped collecting a lot of tube audio equipment. Because about 80% of the time I can get an acoustic machine working again on my own. I can’t replace capacitors, resistors, replace cracking power cords, or read a schematic to save my life! So I have to have a guy to do it and it’s NOT cheap! For what I pay to get a radio fixed I could’ve just got a nicely working Edison or Victor machine!

[VanEpsFan1914]

Funny this thread should be brought up now. Way to rub it in, guys...


I'm trying to fix an old radio bought in an impulse of "Oooh, Shortwave!" Turns out the 1920s models are more reliable than the ones of the 1930s and '40s as our radio brethren have informed me by PM. Mine is a 1938 and it's shot...Wish I had gone for a 1920s model.

The obscene expenses of phonograph collecting come in buying high-condition machines and special titles of records. An omnivorous collector can enjoy phonographs on a very tight budget. With the Victor machines in particular, the worst ailment they can fall to is a broken spring, which costs about twenty-five bucks from Sitko at the most. Add a little kerosene, axle grease, and STP into the equation and boom, you're back in business.

Also, there's no shortage of good music on 78s and cylinders, unlike the far reaches of the AM broadcast band. I wish they would re-broadcast shows like Dragnet but then again, with my luck, I'd be busy when they came on.

So +1 for phonographs & records. Off to listen to some Tommy Dorsey.

[EarlH]

If you get an AM transmitter, you can listen to whatever you want on your radio. I play my radios nearly every day like that from youtube videos and podcasts, et. It's a nice way to listen to those old sets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnClU3JQWFA Is a short video I made of one of my old radios playing a guys channel on youtube. It's a little bit loud for my camera, but you'll get the point. It's a 1932 Coronado (Zenith) set.

[GrafonolaG50]

I'll be honest and say the sight of "cheap" (cheaper than phonographs) radios caught me hook, line, and sinker. Started with one, and they've multiplied....exponentially. Did manage to learn how to fix them thanks to having a local collector do a bit of mentoring, plus trial, error, and shocks. Now I'm back to chasing phonographs, and its come full circle.
And a low power transmitter is a great thing to have if you don't have good local stations. Shortwave is still fun in my opinion. I enjoy trying to catch long distance transmissions and then getting a corresponding QSL. My best catch was KBC from the Netherlands, and I'm in Missouri. Used a 1930s Montgomery Ward tabletop to get that one.

[marcapra]

I have two 1930 Edison radios, an R-6 and an R-7 as well as a 1928 C-2. Not true that I have to put up with only AM radio. And I don't need to use a pesky AM transmitter. I just plug in my Ipod or Ipad into the phono jacks, and voila, you have your entire music collection, or Internet radio, coming out of your Edison. p.s. I am willing to let one of those rare Edisons go. Just PM me. Marc.

[Victrolacollector]

I also have a transmitter, I can play FM stations as well as music from mp3 like the iPod or iPad and hear classic radio shows or music, this is where radios have an advantage. I think any antique phonograph collector should have or consider having at least one vintage radio in their collection. I have a Zenith 5-S-29, Philco 70 and Atwater Kent 40 as AC power sets. But my favorites are the battery powered radios like the Atwater Kent 35, Radiola 16 and the Neutrodyne sets of the 1920’s. All you need is a ARBE III battery eliminator and your in business.

I’m sure the Edison radios are nice sounding units, now those would be a compliment to any phonograph collection.

The reason I started this thread, I was looking at my records and saw that I have spent around 6,000.00 over the past several years on the purchase, repairs and shipping for repairs for the 10 radios that I have. For that amount I could have owned a Edison Triumph and a Victor IV.

[Victrolacollector]

This is the reason I stopped collecting a lot of tube audio equipment. Because about 80% of the time I can get an acoustic machine working again on my own. I can’t replace capacitors, resistors, replace cracking power cords, or read a schematic to save my life! So I have to have a guy to do it and it’s NOT cheap! For what I pay to get a radio fixed I could’ve just got a nicely working Edison or Victor machine!

Around here where I live there are no repair services, and if they are around, they want an arm and a leg for repair. With tube equipment, if you blow a tube or it just burns out, you could be out 30-40 dollars. Break a spring, its rarer, but at least the spring is new, whereas the tubes are old. That is why I prefer an acoustic Victrola over an Electrola.

[Pete Stratford]

BE WARNED!! RADIO COLLECTING CAN BE JUST AS ADDICTIVE AS PHONOGRAPH COLLECTING. CASE IN POINT THIS USED TO BE MY WORK SHOP.

[Victrolacollector]

BE WARNED!! RADIO COLLECTING CAN BE JUST AS ADDICTIVE AS PHONOGRAPH COLLECTING. CASE IN POINT THIS USED TO BE MY WORK SHOP.

I agree with that! I spy some Atwater Kend E type speakers.