Steve, I agree that the VivaTonals can sound better than the Orthophonics, and 
so can the Brunswick Panatropes.John Robles
      From: Antique Phonograph List <phono-l@oldcrank.org>
 To: "phono-l@oldcrank.org" <phono-l@oldcrank.org>
 Sent: Friday, August 7, 2015 7:44 PM
 Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Columbia Viva-Tonal model 710

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steve_nor...@msn.com
 
Send me a photo of the reproducer or let me know what is says on the back, if 
it is the one I think it is they are all brass and easy to rebuild.  I will 
take flak for this, but when I tested an Orthophonic No. 5 Victor and a 
Viva-Tonal reproducer on my Victor VI the Viva-Tonal sounded better.  This was 
a fair comparison of both reproducers with the same horn.  Naturally the 
Orthophonic No. 5 Victor sounded much better on my VV 8-12 than it does on my 
Victor VI.  Personally I think the Viva-Tonal is a better reproducer for two 
reasons.  It is much, much, much easier to rebuild and it does not have the 
unwanted sound coming from the other side not connected to the horn.  Mr. 
Orthophonic tells me it is incorrect to test the Orthophonic No. 5 Victor 
independently from the machine due to the matched impedance and I agree. 
 
Ever wonder why Victor Orthophonic machines tell you to close the lid or put 
the cap with the felt on the suitcase models?  To deaden the unwanted sound 
which the Viva-Tonal does not have to the same degree.
 
I do have a world famous friend who feels the Viva-Tonals sound better than the 
Victor Orthophonic machines, he is in a position to sound test, I am not, as he 
owns both with practically all model of both.  I can only sound test on Victor 
VI.  Interestingly the Viva-Tonal uses the same size ball bearings as the first 
style Orthophonic No. 5 Victor.  As long as I am taking flak I also enjoy 
paying my monthly bills. 
 
Sound is objective, I spoke with another famous man who restores early sound 
systems like the Edison C-2 and he as the equipment to measure sound.  Some 
people can only hear a limited range of sound, others had very differing 
opinions of the same sound.  Some people like Larry can pick out all the 
instruments in an orchestra record while others can only differentiate volume. 
 
Steve


 


From: phono-l@oldcrank.org
Subject: [Phono-L] Columbia Viva-Tonal model 710
To: phono-l@oldcrank.org
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2015 02:08:49 +0000

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{font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri;}#yiv8346558363 I've wanted to have a nice 
Columbia Viva-Tonal phonograph for a long time, and now I have the opportunity 
to buy a model 710. Not being famailiar with these -- I've never actually seen 
one in person -- I'm wondering what kind of cosmetic work this will need. It 
seems the green trim paint is faded in some places, and largely gone in others 
(note front center above the speaker grille in the second photo). The nickel 
plating on the tone arm and reproducer appears to be heavily oxidized, as well. 
I don't know what other cosmetic or mechanical issues it may have; are there 
common known issues with this model, and with Viva-Tonals in general? Do the 
horns usually need to be re-sealed? Are the reproducers pot metal? I've read 
these don't have a stop; does that mean it doesn't have an automatic stop, or 
(forgive me) any stop at all? How do these machines sound, in general? 
(Personally, I don't think Grafonolas sound very good.) Finally, the seller 
says he won't take any less than $225 for it; I know value is in the eye of the 
beholder, but does this seem reasonable to you, or is it way out of line?



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