The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

While I'm waiting to get my hands on the HMV 102 coming my way, I found a Brunswick 207 locally (Toronto, Canada) for $150.

I've yet to get more pictures of its condition, but it works and from what I could tell, the cabinet is in tip-top shape (the grille cloth is slightly damaged, however).

As I haven't found much on the model, can anyone tell me if it's worth the money? I did read somewhere that the Ultona reproducer tends to leak air and is prone to pot-metal swelling...which can cause poor audio reproduction and eventual permanent damage respectively.

Has anyone had any experience with this Brunswick model? Is the Ultona reproducer that big of a risk/letdown? I've had my ears trained only to my HMV 101, for what it's worth.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I was planning on going down to grab the gramophone by the end of the week.

Thanks!

If the cabinet is in tip-top condition as you say, then I fail to see how you could go too wrong buying any name brand machine for $150.00. The Brunswicks were well made with a good motor. If the cabinet is really nice, then the battle is practically won, because Brunswick tonearms, reproducers, motors and other parts seem plentiful on eBay. Those parts are salvaged from machines with bad cabinets! With good reproducer gaskets, they sound at least as loud and good as any other acoustic reproducer with a mica diaphragm. I like 'em so much that I own two. Both of my Brunswicks have the newer Ultona 3-way head, so I can't comment on the older 2-way head with pot metal tonearm. Those I have seen looked okay though.

VintageTechnologies wrote:If the cabinet is in tip-top condition as you say, then I fail to see how you could go too wrong buying any name brand machine for $150.00. The Brunswicks were well made with a good motor. If the cabinet is really nice, then the battle is practically won, because Brunswick tonearms, reproducers, motors and other parts seem plentiful on eBay. Those parts are salvaged from machines with bad cabinets! With good reproducer gaskets, they sound at least as loud and good as any other acoustic reproducer with a mica diaphragm. I like 'em so much that I own two. Both of my Brunswicks have the newer Ultona 3-way head, so I can't comment on the older 2-way head with pot metal tonearm. Those I have seen looked okay though.

Thank you so much for the info!

The 207 I think has the 3-way head, although I'm not entirely sure.

I'm still waiting on a reply from the seller - I've asked for more pictures and a better description.

A related question from a newbie: how much of a difference is there between the mica and orthophonic reproducers? So far I only have my HMV 101 to use as a reference, but will be receiving an HMV 102 within 2-3 weeks.