"Magic Brain" Victrola

[GaryLC]

I found this Victor record sleeve that has an ad for a "Magic Brain" Victrola, that didn't use needles, and could play both sides of a record without flipping it over. Did they actually produce this machine?

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

YES!

And they are AWESOME!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHIAa_J0Rqc

[tomwil]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHIAa_J0Rqc

Wow, has anyone noticed how it drops those records?

[gregbogantz]

The poster of that video is slightly in error as he calls the record changer the V-225. V-225 is the model number of the complete radio/phono console. The record changer is the model RP-151. This matters if you are trying to locate the correct models in reference books. But it doesn't really matter too much because the V-225 was the only phono ever to use the RP-151. This makes the 151 peculiar as it is the only RCA changer that I can recall that was used in only one model of phonograph set.

There's probably a good reason for this. The 151 was pretty much of a turkey in practical terms. It came out in late 1941, shortly after which the world was engaged in a war. Postwar records weren't really suitable for use with the 151 or most other slicer changers (with knife separators). As the video poster says, the 151 required records to be flat and have a smooth rounded edge so that the knife separators wouldn't snag on the edge and chip or break the record. This was a common requirement of all slicer type changers which were popular before WWII. The main problem with the 151 was its teeny turntable platter. Although there was a fairly large drive wheel underneath the deck, the combined mass of the platter system was low and the changer exhibited substantial wow and flutter, especially as a result of the rubber idler wheels becoming dented with prolonged disuse. The other problem with the small platter is that the records had to have a minimum weight. The lighter, thinner records in the postwar years (especially the new lightweight vinyl records) would either tilt downward or tilt upward on the teeny platter due to the 35 gram tracking force of the pickups. Whereupon they would either slip on the platter and not play at all or would wow terribly. And the rather unceremonious way the changer clanked the records down from the stack during the change cycle as well as the way it dropped them into the discharge chute no doubt freightened many would-be buyers. As the video says, this was much more frightening to watch than any real damage actually inflicted on the records. Still, the 151 is a properly weird and collectible piece of record playing automation, and yes, I have one.

[bbphonoguy]

I actually won one of these on ebay, but I still have to get my truck to Indiana to pick it up!

[antique1973]

That is a sweet machine, but it is kind of scary how it dumps the records like that. I wonder if you can add extra felt down there to soften the drop??

[Brad]

I actually won one of these on ebay, but I still have to get my truck to Indiana to pick it up!

You will heading that way soon anyway, just make sure you have room for it on your truck.

[bbphonoguy]

I actually won one of these on ebay, but I still have to get my truck to Indiana to pick it up!

You will heading that way soon anyway, just make sure you have room for it on your truck.

I already know there won't be room, but I will be able to make a weekend trip to pick it up once I've settled.

[Guest]

I have one of these that I would like to sell. It is an RCA Victrola V-225. It belonged to my grandparents and when they passed away, it came to me. It looks exactly like the one on the youtube video. Mine, unfortunately, does not work. It worked back in the 1980's. But a few years ago my husband tried it again, and the plug began to smoke - I don't know why. He cut the plug. Except for the cut plug, the piece is in original condition. The radio even has all the knobs. I live in Providence, Rhode Island. If anyone is interested, please email me at [email protected]

[bkasindorf]

Yup,
I just bought that one. Will see if I can get it to work. When you let the smoke out it loses it's magic.
-Barry