The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am happy to say that Wyatt Marcus has perfected the figure 6 diaphragm design for the Edison Disc Machines. Like some, I worked to get the sound just where you want it. Wyatt finally after some tires, has come up with a very fine sound with more volume as well.

When I started my quest for better sound there really weren't many diaphragms that would satisfy critical listeners. I did a long sort of blog on the Edison On Line Discussion group and in that I encouraged people to see what they could do to present the Edison sound better than previous attempts. After several years of failed ones my self I was lucky to put to gether a diaphragm that would display the records close to the sound of the originals. But like everything there is always a better mouse trap so to speak. My greatest problem was that some people wanted it much louder. Over time some did accomplish louder sound but usually with some drawbacks to the overall effect. That was true as well of the first tires of what is now the figure 6. I am pleased that Wyatt was able to figure out where the issues were and has come up with what I think is certainly a loud diaphragm that plays with the proper tonal quality and if any, very little distortion. (I haven't really found any yet after a week of listening.). I know that several people are still working to get the diaphragm's they are working on to a higher level of quality sound. And they may well be the next decent diaphragm for the Edison.

Personally after providing around 400 diaphragms and having gotten older in the process I was ready to cut way back in my True Tone work. Here is a link to a popular selection using Wyatts diaphragm. Its one made for use in the Edisonic reproducer which I do have it in. In my small and vibrant room I had to cut the volume using the mute ball to half volume, and in hearing this video for the first time a few minutes ago, I would say I could have cut it a bit more. For my normal listening I enjoy sound that is listenable without over driving it. This new diaphragm however in my moms large basement on the Chippendale upright, is very fine, it pumps out he vocals and other instruments in a similar way to the one I had. I will be getting the standard version from Wyatt to see how it acts in my home.

I am recording a number of videos of various kinds of music to allow people to hear how they sound with the Edisonic version. Those will go up on you tube, one yet this evening and what I can manage to load tomorrow.

"Days of Hearts and Flowers"...Mike Speciale and his Hotel Carlton Terrace Orchestra, a nice late acoustic. ( which for the most part I prefer).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMRCHGhGB64


Larry Hollenberg

Glad that you are enjoying the sonic freedom of this diaphragm! For the record, it’s called the ‘Fig. 6’ diaphragm, not the “#6”. It’s based upon my original design concept of a decade ago. I finally have a reliable collaborator in Wyatt, although I have no financial interest in the production or sale of this diaphragm. My goal was always to provide the hobby with a superior listening experience that would recreate what these machines must have sounded like originally, and I think that we have achieved that. Thank you for your kind words.
John Maeder

I bought the figure 6 from Wyatt back in April. The difference was night and day from the old diaphragm to the new one. The thing I like the most about the diaphragm is how it cuts out most of the surface noise. It's well worth the money

Here's what it looks like


David

What!? There’s another “new and improved” diaphragm for DDs? Ay-Yai-Yai! Just when I thought I upgraded the ones I had!

AmberolaAndy wrote:What!? There’s another “new and improved” diaphragm for DDs? Ay-Yai-Yai! Just when I thought I upgraded the ones I had!

This is the ultimate in sound from a Diamond Disc diaphragm. It would have been on the market ten years ago if it wasn’t for Jeff Whittington.

Are there any videos out there of this diaphragm in a standard reproducer rather than in an Edisonic?

I have one of only two instances (that I know of) of the Figure 6 diaphragm being mounted in an HMV No 4 soundbox. Wyatt has the other one. It sounds just as nice in a lateral orientation as it does in a vertical one.

JohnM wrote:Glad that you are enjoying the sonic freedom of this diaphragm! For the record, it’s called the ‘Fig. 6’ diaphragm, not the “#6”. It’s based upon my original design concept of a decade ago. I finally have a reliable collaborator in Wyatt, although I have no financial interest in the production or sale of this diaphragm. My goal was always to provide the hobby with a superior listening experience that would recreate what these machines must have sounded like originally, and I think that we have achieved that. Thank you for your kind words.
John Maeder

Yes John I recall your challenge to my Diaphragms, and with the right help you did surpass it. I knew from the start that if the issues they displayed early on were overcome it would be a very good product, which now it is. I have always been willing to acknowledge improvements, it was truly my goal from the start to challenge others to produced sound better than what was considered the norm in those days. Yours have proved how far it can go, and I for one, as are others from what I am reading agree that hearing the records is even more enjoyable than before it. Don't know where I got the name of it wrong, old age I guess.

gramophoneshane wrote:Are there any videos out there of this diaphragm in a standard reproducer rather than in an Edisonic?

Wyatt is sending me one of the standard variety and I will then make some videos of it as well.

Larry

I agree the Figure 6 diaphragm with the new Gilmore diamond stylus makes my daily player C 19 the best sounding of my Edison disc machines.
I did an A-B comparison video last August. The link is below.
I recorded a dance selection first with an Edison original stock diaphragm and then with the Figure 6 diaphragm and Gilmore stylus combination. I used a digital recorder with a set volume record control. No auto-level or sound compression.
I took the sound files and assembled them in a back-and-forth pattern throughout the tune.
The first video is labeled "without markers." You can listen and try to detect the changes by ear.
The second video shows where the changes occur without telling which diaphragm is which.
The third video labels the diaphragms while the tune is playing.
The difference in sound will be much more apparent playing the videos through good speakers or headphones.
Laptops or smartphones will reveal much less.
See what you think!
Bob
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/quqcmq30mxa6 ... v75la?dl=0