The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello everyone,

I"m looking to get a Victor portable for camping, barbeques, etc. Does anybody have any advice about which Victor models have the best sound quality? Are there any special problems or concerns with the portable models? I'm relatively new to this but already have several machines and last week got a sweet deal on 2000+ records...should keep me busy for awhile. This hobby has me, hook, line and sinker!

Any help or advice greatly appreciated...Cheers!

Glenn

I have owned several Victor portables. My two favorites are the VV-50 and the VV 2-55 (an Orthophonic portable). The 2-55 is fairly common and plays well if it is in good condition.

Carsten Fischer has an online primer -- "The Best Portables of the World" which is worth a look --

http://myvintagetv.com/updatepages1/cha ... tables.htm

All of the ones he profiles were designed to play electrically recorded records with greater fidelity than the older models, such as the VV-50. (Make sure you click on the machine photos to see all the specs, videos, etc. He put a hell of a lot of work into this, and it's chock full of information.)

Two Victor portables appear on Carsten's list -- the VV-2-55 and the RCA Victor 2-65. In addition, he lists what many consider the best portable ever produced -- the HMV 102.

As EdiBrunsVic notes, the 2-55 is fairly common, and if you can get one in good condition, it performs very well. (See the details about the horn, etc., in the above linked page.)

I've owned both the 2-55 and HMV 102, and have to say that from a sonic standpoint, they are both about the same--very powerful upfront sound with a solid mid-range and more than just a hint of bass, depending on the record. The 2-55 is about ten pounds heavier than the 102, and that makes quite a difference when you're also lugging around records. Also, in my opinion, the 102 is better engineered, has a better automatic brake, etc. On the downside, it's less liable to turn up in the US market.

If you prefer acoustic (circa pre-1925) records, then the VV-50 might also be an option for you, though keep in mind, it is HEAVY compared to the later models. Unlike the 2-55, though, it doesn't have any pot metal components to worry about, so that's an advantage. Also, of course, the wooden case (oak or mahogany) makes it more attractive than most other portables.

HTH,
Ortho_Fan

Personally I would go for the HMV 102. They still are very plentiful, cheap and incredibly durable. Parts are no problem, after all the little beast was in production for nearly 30 years!
The only pot metal part is the back of the soundbox, but that very seldom is problematic.

I have a VV-50 and like it very much. It plays decently, with good volume, but mostly I like it because when restored they look great. As someone else pointed out, though, they are heavy. And those handsome polished wood cases can get beaten up in a hurry in rough and tumble outdoor use. I suspect the latter is the reason that all the later ones came with some sort of leatherette covering.

Clay

I too have both the VV2-55 and the HMV 102, and have found with the 2-55 that unless you have a perfectly flat record you'll get a noticeable amount of "wow" during playback. This must be due to the very short tonearm combined with an almost miniature soundbox crook. In contrast, the HMV's tonearm, with it's added length and better-designed crook, plays with a much steadier tone.
My ideal machine would be the body and motor of the 2-55 combined with the tonearm and nifty auto-brake of the HMV 102!

Bob

I've never met a HMV102 I didn't like.

Thanks for the replies everybody. I will narrow my search to these 2 machines ... Now who's got one to sell me?
Glenn

Like magic a pristine VV 2-55 appeared on ebay Sunday with a fair buy it now price and only 75 miles away from me. Picking it up tomorrow, will give full report soon.
Thanks again for all the helpful advice everyone!
Glenn

If a VV 2-65 turns up give it a look. They've got great sound but are more compact than the 2-55, though they lack the built in record storage. An added plus- if you find one with the original reproducer they're usually in excellent condition.

The HMV 102 is a fine machine, no doubt about it.