New VV 4-3

[Kevin Aschenmeier]

Hi. I just brought home my new VV 4-3.I must say that I am quite impressed. I have read many reviews of the orthophonic reproducers. Nothing prepared me for the real thing. It is loud and clear. Even with a quiet needle, it is too loud for in the house. That is with the doors open.

Why would anyone have wanted an electric reproducer and amplifier?The reproducer works fine, but has "lines" in the pot metal. I have no idea if it is cracks, or cracked paint.

I do not know the year of manufacture. It has a Canadian serial number: C21125.

It has a twelve inch platter with "orange" felt. It has two shelves for albums underneath the speker, which is covered. It has two doors.

Now I have one of each of the big three: an Edison Amberola 30, a Columbia Favorite, and the Victor.

Does anyone know how to find the year of manufacture of Canadian machines?

Kevin

[m0xiemama]

On mine if you looked under the machine, there was a paper glued to the bottom that had a date on it. Yours doesn't have that underneath?

[Skihawx]

Hi. I just brought home my new VV 4-3.I must say that I am quite impressed. I have read many reviews of the orthophonic reproducers. Nothing prepared me for the real thing. It is loud and clear. Even with a quiet needle, it is too loud for in the house. That is with the doors open.

Why would anyone have wanted an electric reproducer and amplifier?The reproducer works fine, but has "lines" in the pot metal. I have no idea if it is cracks, or cracked paint.

Too loud with "period" 20's records?? I have a Credenza in my living room while it is under construction and I don't think it is loud enough. Perceived loudness depends on the individal record and the size and acoustics of the room. Or if you are playing records from the 40's or 50's with more grove modulation.

[FloridaClay]

The reproducer works fine, but has "lines" in the pot metal. I have no idea if it is cracks, or cracked paint.

This is very common Kevin. Pot metal swells and cracks over time. As you seem to be pleased with the way it sounds, I would not worry about it and leave it alone. Unlike non-pot metal reproducers if you try to take it apart to install gaskets or such it can disintegrate.

Congrats on you new treasure!

Clay

[Uncle Vanya]

Hi. I just brought home my new VV 4-3.I must say that I am quite impressed. I have read many reviews of the orthophonic reproducers. Nothing prepared me for the real thing. It is loud and clear. Even with a quiet needle, it is too loud for in the house. That is with the doors open.

Why would anyone have wanted an electric reproducer and amplifier?The reproducer works fine, but has "lines" in the pot metal. I have no idea if it is cracks, or cracked paint.

Too loud with "period" 20's records?? I have a Credenza in my living room while it is under construction and I don't think it is loud enough. Perceived loudness depends on the individal record and the size and acoustics of the room. Or if you are playing records from the 40's or 50's with more grove modulation.

Actually, the "Western Electric" straight horn machines are considerably louder than the Credenza, just try them side-by-side. Of course the reproduction from a good Credenza is better balanced, but the Consolette, the Colony, the Alhambra I & II, and the early Granada machines are louder, with a crisp clear mid-range and uper register, though lacking in bass.

These smaller machines are best used with medium or soft tone needles. They are the ideal machines for playing acoustic records, retaining much of the brilliance which is lost when they are reproduced on a machine with a folded horn.

[mattrx]

I agree with the volume comment. I had (it is now at my sister-in-law's house) a 4-3 and the volume was much more than I was expecting. Actually way too loud when playing record from the '40's. Overall the sound quality was good and I enjoyed the machine. My sister-in-law enjoys it more than I did!

Replaced it with a VV 8-12. Lower volume, richer sound, more base. MUCH heavier!

Matt

[Kevin Aschenmeier]

Hi.
I checked and there is nothing pasted under the machine.

I forgot to mention that it has the older style cabinet.

I was trying it on more modern records. I have a bunch of older records. I will try it on the ones from the twenties tomorrow, when no one is sleeping. I have not tried the loud needles yet. I kind of like the sound quality of the soft ones.

I guess I should try to decide which brand of machine I prefer, Edison, Columbia, ot Victor.

Kevin

[m0xiemama]

Sorry Kevin, I was hoping the license sticker would be there. My 4-3 had water damage and the paper was destroyed on mine. According to Victor-Victrola.com the older style cabinet was made between 1925 and 1927 which narrows it down for you a little if the Canadians were made at the same time.

I also agree the orthphonics can be very loud. My Granada is on my front porch and our neighbors across the street have commented they can hear it like it was right there. He don't open the horn doors much anymore for that reason.

[Skihawx]

Actually, the "Western Electric" straight horn machines are considerably louder than the Credenza, just try them side-by-side. Of course the reproduction from a good Credenza is better balanced, but the Consolette, the Colony, the Alhambra I & II, and the early Granada machines are louder, with a crisp clear mid-range and uper register, though lacking in bass.

These smaller machines are best used with medium or soft tone needles. They are the ideal machines for playing acoustic records, retaining much of the brilliance which is lost when they are reproduced on a machine with a folded horn.

You know in all these years I never owned a Granada or a Consolette. But I now have an early Granda in the garage. I will have to listen to the Granada compared to a Credenza. I am sure you are correct on this, you are alway on target with techincal details!! I bought the Granada because it had a brass reproducder. When I went to pick it up it turned out to have two brass reproducers with it. Not sure why?? One does have a dimple on the diaphragm where someone's finger poked it. It is an early Granada SN 538 and has the straight horn and no grill.

[Uncle Vanya]

Actually, the "Western Electric" straight horn machines are considerably louder than the Credenza, just try them side-by-side. Of course the reproduction from a good Credenza is better balanced, but the Consolette, the Colony, the Alhambra I & II, and the early Granada machines are louder, with a crisp clear mid-range and uper register, though lacking in bass.

These smaller machines are best used with medium or soft tone needles. They are the ideal machines for playing acoustic records, retaining much of the brilliance which is lost when they are reproduced on a machine with a folded horn.

You know in all these years I never owned a Granada or a Consolette. But I now have an early Granda in the garage. I will have to listen to the Granada compared to a Credenza. I am sure you are correct on this, you are alway on target with techincal details!! I bought the Granada because it had a brass reproducder. When I went to pick it up it turned out to have two brass reproducers with it. Not sure why?? One does have a dimple on the diaphragm where someone's finger poked it. It is an early Granada SN 538 and has the straight horn and no grill.

Wow!

538?

Does that mean that it was the 37th machine off the line?

Does the machine have a varnish or a Duco lacquer finish? Is it a blended finish?


Have you any pictures of this machine?

I know that the Granada is considered to be dead common, but any Orthophonic machine made before Victor Day interests me.