The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My wife’s aunt has become really intrigued with my love of phonographs and 78s. Whenever she sees me, she loves to talk about it. SHE also has a 95-year-old aunt whom she visits often, and she still plays her Victrola and records from when she was young, so that’s also fostered a love for these machines.

She had expressed interest in finding a machine for herself, and I said I would look around for her, and find something good. She likely would probably insist on paying for it, but I thought it would be fun to buy it for her as a gift, and show up with it one day and surprise her with it and a stack of very clean surplus records from my collection that I think she’d enjoy. She has a “perfect spot” set aside in her living room.

Two criteria I have: it would need to be under $400, and not bigger than 3ft wide, 3ft deep, and 5ft tall (to fit inside my little hatchback, and carried by just me).

She lives in Camden County, so I really want it to be a Victor. I was thinking a Consolette might be perfect, and there’s a nice one for sale a couple hours from me for about $350. I’ve never heard one in person though, so I’m thinking ... would it sound better than, say, a VV 2-55? Is there something that might be better to look for?

Thanks!

A long time ago, we lived in Willow Grove. Anyway, either the Consolette or 2-55 is good. Just check to see that it plays well. I own both machines and enjoy them!

$350 seems high for a Consolette in today's market. For that price, it would need to be nearly perfect.

When it comes to sonic performance, generally bigger is better. The Consolette is OK, but one of the larger Orthophonic siblings would probably sound better.

I would opt for either a Consolette (VV-4-3) or the slightly larger VV-4-7 ( http://www.victor-victrola.com/4-7.htm ); or perhaps even the VV-4-20 ( http://www.victor-victrola.com/4-20.htm ) if you could find one.

All three weigh about the same and could be lifted by a reasonably strong person. Unlike the Consolette, which is equipped with the Western Electric straight horn, the 4-7 is fitted with a small bifurcated horn, measuring about a foot or more longer. The 4-20 uses the same horn, but it's turned on its side and fitted with an extension at the mouth, further lengthening the tone chamber.

In terms of sound quality, the Consolette cuts off about mid-range, while the 4-7 and 4-20 extend the range to lower mid-range/upper bass, providing there are no air leaks in the tone chamber.

Here are the dimensions of the three models according to Look for the Dog --

Consolette -- 36.5 inches high, 19 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep
VV-4-7 -- 38 inches high, 21.75 inches wide, 18.75 inches deep
VV-4-20 -- 36.5 inches high, 25.5 inches wide, 18 inches deep

OrthoFan

Thanks so much guys for the info, links, and measurements. Exactly what I needed. This will be a fun search.

The best bang for the buck and the smallest would be the VV-2-55 or 2-65. Suitcase machines that sound good and have a sturdy Ortho sound box.

bigshot wrote:The best bang for the buck and the smallest would be the VV-2-55 or 2-65. Suitcase machines that sound good and have a sturdy Ortho sound box.

Thanks! I would love to get her one of those, however challenging for me NOT to keep it for myself!

Don’t get her an orthophonic portable. They are way too heavy for an older person to wrestle with, and the back brackets almost always crack and fail. Any of the wood cabinet models, even the tabletop type, would be preferable.

If you’re set on a portable, the HMV 102 is the only way to go; they are excellent for durability and sound, and true portability.

No matter what you select, make sure the reproducer gets rebuilt by Wyatt (“mica monster” is his ID on this forum) before any serious use.

I agree with PeterF. I've had both the 2-55 and 2-65, and I am not a fan of them. The HMV 102 is regarded by many collectors as the best portable windup gramophone.

I’m not at all set on a portable, I need as much Victor orthophonic as I can fit into my hatchback and deliver by myself for under $400.