The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everybody! It's been several years since I've been on the Forum, and a lot has changed in my life. My beautiful wife has given me 2 wonderful sons, and we have 2 more on the way!

So that's what's going on in Winsleydale Land. Big changes.

Now that you've all been updated, on to the topic at hand:

If you had to choose between a VV 8-12, a VV 8-35, and a Credenza, which are you choosing? Why? I'm looking for real world experience regarding differences in sound quality, record storage, ease of placement within the room, sound distribution, and any other differences of note.

I have an 8-12 already, but I'm starting to believe it may be worth upgrading to a larger machine. I also have a VV-XVII with a Number 4 soundbox for playing my older acoustic records, but as beautiful as it is, I probably won't have room for it as we're trying to plan a remodel to maximize space for when the new babies arrive. I haven't been impressed with my experiences in playing acoustic records on the 8-12, so if you've noticed decent results on either of the larger machines with acoustic records, I'd be keen to know.

Thanks in advance to all who respond.

Winsleydale

Hi, haven't seen you on here in quite a while. Was wondering what had happened to you. Changes can be a lot of fun; glad you're holding up. A lot has changed here too.

Could you consider, perhaps, treating yourself to a Brunswick Cortez? There are brass Panatrope reproducers out there and they have massive four-spring motors which give long running time. For sound quality I have heard nothing better, and that's after having heard Credenzas and smaller Orthophonics. The best Orthophonic I've heard for playing acoustics was (oddly enough) a 4-3 Consolette, but acoustics get lost in the tubby-sounding bass of a Credenza.

Panatropes are underrated machines. The cabinet quality rivals that of Victor (if in good shape) and they do just as well playing back an older acoustic as they do a scroll Vic or a late-era Harmony acoustic. I do not have enough of a house to put a big Victrola in there as I'm living in an apartment so my go-to has been my 1928 Panatrope 15-8 lowboy. It is a bit underpowered as the double-spring motor is getting slightly weaker than it was, but the sound is great with a Wyatt Markus rebuilt brass soundbox. I use it as a catch-all for playing anything and everything if I do not want to run the VV-XIV.

Also, the Brunswick cabinets are easy to match with other 1920s-1940s furniture or can be an accent piece in a modern interior.

I know there were competitors to the Orthophonic line, but I hadn't seriously considered them.

Are the Brunswicks easy enough to find? Does the reproduction of electric records hold up to the Orthophonics as well?

The Credenza or the 8-35 would be my choices. Hard to beat a Credenza. The 8-35 has the all metal horn that has a slightly different, but still excellent, sound. I have a Credenza, but I do not have an 8-35, however, I have an 8-9 that uses the same horn. If I had to pick one as my favorite it would be near impossible. I might slightly favor the 8-9/8-35 metal horn...

Credenzas are easy to find. The 8-35's not so much. Finding one with all the albums is even more difficult. The Brunswick Cortez, mentioned above, is also excellent, but fairly difficult to find. Finding any with a cabinet in decent condition can be a struggle.

If it's any help, I was faced with the same situation 18 years ago. I had all three - an 8-12, an 8-35 (with its albums), and a 4-door Credenza. I liked the look of the 8-12 the best. The 8-35 had an electric motor and an interior light that triggered when the lid was lifted. Very nice sound. The Credenza also had the electric motor option, but no interior light. Great sound, of course, but a big footprint. Keeping them all would have been wasteful of space. Although I occasionally play records for my own enjoyment, I'm no record connoisseur. My focus is on history, so ultimately I couldn't jettison the Credenza. It's an iconic machine. So I sold the one whose looks I preferred (8-12), and the rarest of the three (8-35).

Ultimately, you should determine your main focus of collecting and determine which machine will serve you best. Good luck!

George P.

Good info.

I'm leaning towards a Credenza. I've heard an 8-35, one time. The volume blew me away with that metal horn, but with so many small children, exposed storage may be an issue - if I can even find one.

It really was a beautiful machine though.

winsleydale wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 2:33 am I know there were competitors to the Orthophonic line, but I hadn't seriously considered them.

Are the Brunswicks easy enough to find? Does the reproduction of electric records hold up to the Orthophonics as well?

If you want to consider Strong Competitors, I have a very nice Columbia Viva-tonal 810 that I would consider selling at a good price. Just sayin' LOL

Mark

winsleydale wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 2:33 am
Are the Brunswicks easy enough to find? Does the reproduction of electric records hold up to the Orthophonics as well?

The Brunswick Cortez has a very nice sound, but somewhat different than the Orthophonics. I find it to have a bit less bass, but a much fuller treble/mid-range. They too, are very loud.

maginter wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:17 pm
If you want to consider Strong Competitors, I have a very nice Columbia Viva-tonal 810 that I would consider selling at a good price. Just sayin' LOL

Mark

I'd be interested in learning more

winsleydale wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 4:03 pm

maginter wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:17 pm
If you want to consider Strong Competitors, I have a very nice Columbia Viva-tonal 810 that I would consider selling at a good price. Just sayin' LOL

Mark

I'd be interested in learning more

I'll email you tonight...