The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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

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.

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

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 wrote: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.

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.

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

George P.

A250 hands down. Very pretty cabinet styling.

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

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