Bob, I agree, Birches and similar are a step down from the top of the line machines. I will add on to my collection someday, if I find one cheap enough. I am surprised they sell so well on E-Bay though.
Art, I've seen those Columbia 140s with the lid horn an louvers. Really neat. How does it sound? Somebody really wanted that Carryola (?) Keith, I haven't yet had a chance to compare the HMV 101 & 102. I would imagine the 102 would have a leg up on the 101 due to the Ortho-type Sound-Box, yet I've heard of collector who prefer the 101. I'm hoping to get to do a direct comparison in the near future. If only other portable manufacturers had copied HMV's handle design! I'm a fan of the HMV No.4 Sound-Box, yet some say it's the worst reproducer Victor/HMV ever offered. I use an HMV No.4 on my VV-X. I replaced the gaskets (Same as VTMCo. Exhibition tubing) today and put a few drops of oil on the needle bar pivots. This is my first reproducer rebuild-I don't know if I did it right or not, but I was blown away by the sound. LOUD and crisp sound about the same as the HMV 101. Regards, John B. From [email protected] Wed Feb 6 17:44:37 2008 From: [email protected] (Gregory Acker) Date: Wed Feb 6 17:52:18 2008 Subject: [Phono-L] Portable Phonograph Message-ID: <[email protected]> I have had 30+ portables over the years - the one that I like the best and I think has the best sound is a VV 2-60 with the Victrola 4 reproducer. It really sounds good on 1930's electric recordings. Greg Acker
