Phonographs
Summary
Like televisions, I don't really collect these unless I like them. Phonographs tend to be difficult to repair, especially the phono cartridge. Also rubber parts found on idler wheels are hard to replace.
Sentinel 181BL Portable AM Radio and Phonograph (1939).
Unusual model that features battery operated tube radio and hand wound phonograph. 20-25 turns provides about 2 minutes of playing time with a 78 RPM record, Uses early power saving tubes (1A7G, 1N5G, 1H5G and 1Q5G tubes) developed by Sylvania in 1937-38
Unusual model that features battery operated tube radio and hand wound phonograph. 20-25 turns provides about 2 minutes of playing time with a 78 RPM record, Uses early power saving tubes (1A7G, 1N5G, 1H5G and 1Q5G tubes) developed by Sylvania in 1937-38
Sonora RWFU-238 Phonograph (1947) Stylish Curves of the 1940's. Plays 78 RPM records only.
BEFORE RESTORATION:
BEFORE RESTORATION:
AFTER RESTORATION
Below: reflocking the platter and the finished phonograph.
Below: reflocking the platter and the finished phonograph.
RCA 9-Y-510 Phonograph-Radio (1949)
This is one of the first models RCA sold introducing their new 45 RPM record format. This model plays only 45 RPM records and has a built in changer allowing several discs to be loaded. The 45 RPM records were smaller but can hold as much as a standard 78 RPM disc. The radio is a standard AA5 design.
This is one of the first models RCA sold introducing their new 45 RPM record format. This model plays only 45 RPM records and has a built in changer allowing several discs to be loaded. The 45 RPM records were smaller but can hold as much as a standard 78 RPM disc. The radio is a standard AA5 design.
Inside showing electronic radio and amp and mechanical <<<<<<< wound phono
Playing a Record
Below: Restore the two tube amplifier (35Z5GT and 50L6GT) and adapting a ceramic cartridge to replace the original crystal cartridge.
Soon after Sonora came out with the uniquely styled RFWU-238 RCA would introduced the 45 RPM record that challenged the future of 78 RPM records used in fashionable models like the Sonora.
Troy Radio 59PC (1937) Phonograph Radio Combination (MONO)
Plays 78 RPM Records. Troy was a Los Angeles radio manufacturer and named after the USC Trojan's football team.
Plays 78 RPM Records. Troy was a Los Angeles radio manufacturer and named after the USC Trojan's football team.
Columbia 412 Phonograph (1959-60)
This model uses the same circuits as all their entry level models in the 1950s. The only variation is the cabinet enclosure. .
ABOVE: Very "Sparton" audio design. RIGHT: Signal amplification is done by the transistor on the far right. The remaining two transistor are emitter followers with complementary transistors acting as current amplifiers to drive the speaker.
Shown Fully Closed
This is a one tube amplifier unit, with a simple tone control and plays 3 speeds (33, 45 and 78). Interesting design in that the motor operates at 90 volts with the remaining 25 volts used by the 25L6GT heater. So no voltage dropping resistors means cooler operation
RCA model VWP-220BV (Vibra series) Portable Monural Record Player with Changer (1972)
Comes in a fold up case and cord wrap. A three transistor amplifier powering a 2" by 6" speaker. Has a tone control. Will play 33, 45 and 78 rpm records.
Comes in a fold up case and cord wrap. A three transistor amplifier powering a 2" by 6" speaker. Has a tone control. Will play 33, 45 and 78 rpm records.
ABOVE: Like the Columbia 412 above, the motor has a tapped winding. 90 volts powers the record player and the remaining 25 volts serves as the power source for the amplifier.
Economy designed transistor phono amplifier barely provides enough volume for playing in small room.
SHOW CASE
SHOW CASE
CD/MP3 Disc Players
By the end of 2010 the Compact Disc would soon be "Dead Technology". MP3 players and Mobile Phones were more compact, practical and much less prone to damage and vibration.
Compact Discs had several flaws and the most prominent was the difficulty in selecting the track to be heard. The MP3 players provides a Playlist designed by the user to make a track selection.
To make CD personal player more up to date, MP3 compatibility was added. MP3 format programs would be burned into a CD. MP3 coded information is much more compact allowing much more data than a conventional compact disk. Unfortunately the problem of portability, vibration and program selection continued. MP3 compatible CD players was a short lived product.
These players can play encoded MP3 discs that one can make on a computer with a CD burner. The MP3 disks shown above can play over 90, 1/2 hour programs which beats any CD but one still has to store it safely with a CD storage case. The one shown holds 20 disks in the shape of a cheeseburger.
Panasonic(Matsushita Electric) SL-SV590 MP3/CD Player with FM Radio (2008-2009). Features 20 station memory and dynamic sound enhance. Made in China.
RCA (Thomson Products) RP2525 MP3/CD Player with bass enhancment. Made in China
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