The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Dear all,

Do some of you have an HMV 103? Do you have problems quite often with its single-spring motor? Do you think that it is still worth buying it as a tabletop machine?

Since I'm not a collector, my main concerns are 1) robustness of the machine and 2) sound quality. I have a lot of 78 rpm records from the 40s. I have two opportunities at the moment for the following tabletop grands, both in working order:

a) HMV 103 (not cleaned and re-lubricated)

b) Selecta (Garrard no. 11, Thorens soundbox re-labelled Selecta Deluxe): was cleaned and re-lubricated

Between these two machines (please don't tell me about the HMV 109, which I know would be a much better option), which would you choose?

Regards,
António

iwould choose the selecta, my hmv 103 was no good so i got rid of it, also garrard motors are among the best you can get so i would reccomend that one

I too would go for the Selecta. The 103 will have better sound quality on 1940s records, but personally I would sacrifice that sound quality for a machine that isn't going to cause problems due to an under powered motor. Once restored, the Thorens soundbox will still give good results on records of that era, and depending on whether the soundbox has a male or female connector, you may be able to get a No.4 or better soundbox at a later date & use it to play your records, but retain the original Selecta box with the machine in case you want to sell it some day.
There were many soundboxes (including the HMV No.4) that were sold separately so older machines could be updated to improve sound quality, so it's not as if you'd be doing something that many people didn't also do back in the 1920s & 30s, by using a non original s/b to play your records.
The only difference is that now, you should always keep the original with the machine for the sake of historical accuracy & originality.

Thank you. My opinion also favored the Selecta, but since I'm new to the Gramophoneland, your opinion is very useful to take a more informed decision.

Anyway, maybe later on I will buy an HMV 109 (if good opportunity comes) and sell the Selecta, who knows...

Regards,
A. Grilo

Well, just found an HMV 109, almost brand new... =P

the only difference between the 103 and 109 is that the 109 has a double spring motor and a slightly bigger cabinet, it will have the same sound quality and reliability as the 103

mmm... I have an HMV 130, it sounds very fine! HMV 103 is the previous version, I think it should be non so bad...

kirtley2012 wrote:the only difference between the 103 and 109 is that the 109 has a double spring motor and a slightly bigger cabinet, it will have the same sound quality and reliability as the 103

So you think that the Garrard no. 11 is more reliable than the "32" motor of HMV 109?

Regards,
António

The HMV No. 32 motor is based on the American "Burton" motor, and is one of the most reliable, over-built motors ever used in a small talking machine. The horn of the 109 is elongated, and should you care for more brilliant reproduction from late records a change to an aluminum diaphragm sound-box may be to your liking. That said, the No. 4 sould box can play late discs very well indeed after it has been properly rebuilt.

The 109 with a rebuilt sound box can produce remarkable results, even with very late records, as this video of a 109 playing a 1953 vintage English Columbia recording will attest:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3mYgmKc634&hd=1&t=24s

The HMV 109 would be my preferred. However, at the moment, the Selecta seems to be the best solution from a cost perspective, in comparison with the available HMV 109 offers. And, as gramophoneshane said, maybe I am able to fit an HMV no 4 on it. By the way, how can I verify if that is possible? Do I have to remove the soundbox, or am I able to verify just by seeing how it fits to the tonearm?