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I thought that this was very interesting.

Why ? I hear you ask ! Because the locking mechanism on these portables always seems to be up-side down !

I have seen other examples of this portable (and own one) and they all have this up-side down lock.

So they must have been made this way deliberately. Why ? Well, there just isn't enough room at the front for it to be the correct way around but they could have placed one on each side ? Is that why ?

Also, the 'Atlas' logo always seems faded and incomplete. Just like this one. Why ? I don't know.

Does any-one else know the answer to these two question I wonder ?

I find that mine is very solidly built and sounds very good incidentally.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394619281289 ... R6CtyLGBYg

Looks like a good solid machine, but surely the soundbox is upside down, and the crook facing the wrong way? As it is the tracking angle would be appalling!

Barry

This is what it should look like :

epigramophone wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 2:33 pm This is what it should look like :

So this confirms that the lock was always installed up-side down.

A bit odd ????

Phono48 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 1:57 pm Looks like a good solid machine, but surely the soundbox is upside down, and the crook facing the wrong way? As it is the tracking angle would be appalling!

Barry

Now those are VERY good points ! I hadn't noticed that the soundbox is the wrong way around ! I can't seem to figure out why either ! They seem to have up-side down locks so why not ha ha !

You will notice in my photo 'below' that when it is correctly facing (like mine is) the tracking angle isn't much better either

Mine came with the same 'Limit' sound-box by the way - but it sounded so bad I am using the HMV no 4 ...............

poodling around wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 2:48 pm

epigramophone wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 2:33 pm This is what it should look like :

So this confirms that the lock was always installed up-side down.

A bit odd ????

If the lock were installed the "right" way it would interfere with the crank hole/escutcheon. The motor location seems to dictate the location of the lid lock.

epigramophone wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 2:33 pm This is what it should look like :

Oh, the photograph you show is missing the 'record storage' area thingy at the back of the lid.

The most interesting aspect of the machine to me is the pipeline behind the arm. I've seen such arm listed in a vintage catalog of parts, and I wonder if adds any improvement to the sound. I have a Gilbert cabinet with a similar trombone arm, and it has a quite good - and very LOUD - sound.

CarlosV wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 4:44 pm The most interesting aspect of the machine to me is the pipeline behind the arm. I've seen such arm listed in a vintage catalog of parts, and I wonder if adds any improvement to the sound. I have a Gilbert cabinet with a similar trombone arm, and it has a quite good - and very LOUD - sound.

I like this Novaphonic sound - with a decent sound-box. I think, sadly, that the one on ebay sounds, lets say, not as good as it should. Probably because of the condition of the sound-box and the fact it is some-how reversed.

I will try to do a video tomorrow so you have some idea of the sound. I haven't heard it for a while so it will remind me too !

CarlosV wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 4:44 pm The most interesting aspect of the machine to me is the pipeline behind the arm. I've seen such arm listed in a vintage catalog of parts, and I wonder if adds any improvement to the sound. I have a Gilbert cabinet with a similar trombone arm, and it has a quite good - and very LOUD - sound.

I have just up-loaded a quick video of the Novaphonic. As always the sound isn't great but hopefully it will give some impression.

The brake and speed control are different on mine (when compared to the ebay one) but are perfectly genuine as there are no extra holes etc. Mine must be older or younger.

I do like the sound. It didn't sound too loud and seems quite 'well balanced', so to speak.

Here is the link:

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