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My VV-50 is loud....I mean almost unbearably loud! I don't understand how a portable could be so much louder than a floor model. Does the reproducer need rebuilding? It's almost brash sounding.

What reproducer are you using- the 50 was designed to use the Exhibition and the No.2

If the reproducer gaskets are rock hard that can increase the high frequency output and make it seem louder

(some old time audiophiles would intentionally save a hardened reproducer to play soprano records)

I wouldn't think that the loudness indicates that the reproducer needs rebuilding. that said, I'd pretty much think that any reproducer that hasn't been rebuilt - at least in the past 25 years or so - should be rebuilt... at least the standard acoustic reproducers. I've had plenty of orthophonic reproducers on the other hand that I've left alone because to me they sounded just fine (then again, the ortho reproducers that I did have rebuilt, all by walt somers at gettysburgh antique phonographs, sound incredible).

Does it sound loud and good at the same time or loud and unpleasant at the same time?

What records and needles are you using. If you're playing some late electrical recordings with loud tone needles using a Victrola no. 2 or Exhibition reproducer they can definintly sound loud, but not good.

I'm at work, I'll check which reproducer is on it tonight, can't remember, but I think it's a No. 2. It's almost a brash sound, somewhat annoying. I am using loud needles (only because I don't have any others right now, but have ordered some), and it doesn't seem to matter what records I'm playing.
As a side note, I can take a record from the VV-50, play it on my VV-IX or VV-XI, with a loud needle, and it'll sound fine. (As I'm typing this, I'm wondering why I haven't "swapped" reproducers to see if there is a difference....I'm a dummy).

Remember that there was the idea that these might be played outside; when I use mine on the lawn, the volume is no issue - even an advantage. For quieter listening, try medium of soft needles - they'll housebreak the 50.

Nat

Hi Nat,

I've thought of that too, but I have two other portables, a Victrola & a Columbia, and they seem much more tame. I'll figure this out!

My VV-50 has a rebuilt and tuned No.2 and can be excruciatingly loud at times depending on the record you are playing. BTW: these were all factory equipped with the No.2 reproducer. You may simply need medium or soft tone needles instead of loud tone needles. I also have a portable type Ortho reproducer that I adapted to fit the tone arm for use when playing electrics. Works quite well.

Jim

Hi Gary:

If your reproducer has the original, hard gaskets, then I'd recommend you rebuild it, or have it rebuilt, before playing too many records.

When the gaskets are hard, only the very center of the diaphragm is impacted by the needle bar's movement. This puts a substantial strain on the sides of the groove, and records can wear out very quickly.

Once the gaskets have been replaced with soft, pliable material, more of the diaphragm is able to respond to the needle bar's movement, and instead of a high-pitched shrill tone, you'll hear more fullness, especially in the upper and mid-range.

Another thing to keep in mind, especially if the gaskets HAVE already been replaced, is that the VV-50 portable was produced before the introduction of electrical recording. Ideally, you should not play post-1925 records on it, especially those made from about the mid-1930s onward. Many later records, such as 1940s era dance band music, will sound overly strident, especially when played on a machine with a very small horn/tone chamber such as the VV-50.

If you prefer the later production 78s, probably using a soft tone needle would be your best bet.

HTH,
OF