Opinions please

[FloridaClay]

Assume you were thinking about acquiring either an A250 or a C250 Edison Diamond Disk machine. Which would you choose and why? Interested in your opinions.

Clay

[Valecnik]

My two cents:

A250
+ decorated maroon or brown bedplate
+ wood grained horn
+ "industrial" looking motor
+ back door access
+ much rarer
- cannot transport without removing the mechanism, (it's not bolted in)
- bedplate and horn prone to paint flecking off
- more moving parts
- somewhat harder to tune, adjust
- parts less available
- generally more expensive


C250
- usually flat black bedplate
- relatively unattractive flat black horn, motor etcetera
- I don't like the less visible platter and reproducer when playing (because it's recessed)
+ usually runs more quietly, smoothly
+ oilers more sophisticated, usaully works better
+ easier to adjust
+ spare parts, motors, springs readily available

In a nutshell, if you are looking for a good runner at a reasonable price, the C250 is better. The A250 is a more interesting, rarer machine though.

[larryh]

To me is a matter of what you want it for. I like to hear my machines, that is my main goal so I would choose a well running and quiet machine over a rarer but noisier version. If your more of a Collector and that is the main issue, then like many collectors I know how it works is very secondary. I do agree however with the observations on the earlier machines visual elements, it is an interesting machine.

Larry

[estott]

As far as the cabinets go, the A250 has those spindly legs which can give trouble- plus there's no record storage unless you have the album boxes for the shelf.

[Valecnik]

As far as the cabinets go, the A250 has those spindly legs which can give trouble- plus there's no record storage unless you have the album boxes for the shelf.

Estott,

I think you are confusing the A150 with the 250. The 150 has the spindly legs and no record storage. The 250 holds 70-100 records in it's drawers depending on configuration.

[melvind]

To me the A250 is much more interesting and rare than the very common easy to find C250. They are a beautiful machine that look much like an Amberola 1b on the outside. I would always go for rarity than common. But, that's me. Both models play extremely well and sound virtually the same.

[phonogfp]

Ditto Valecnik and melvind. For the same price and condition, I'd always go with the A-250.

George P.

[JerryVan]

A250 hands down. Very pretty cabinet styling.

[VintageTechnologies]

A250 no question. However, when in doubt, buy both!

[budsta]

I have an oak A250 and love it. Its stands next to my 1A in mahogany and I don't ever intend getting rid of either of them.

cheers
Budsta