Last summer I aquired a 1950s RCA Victor record player/AM radio console that seemed like a good candidate for a restoration. However I am now moving to a city, and likely an apartment, that's an 8 hour drive away and this machine is on my list of "do I or don't I keep it" things. I'm trying to determine if it's a relatively rare machine and if so I'm gonna try to keep it.
It's a 1950s RCA Victor "New Orthophonic High Fidelity" record player/AM radio. The Sticker on the back of the unit says:
Model : VHF 819-4
Serial : 7254
The sticker inside for the radio has the same model number on it. Says "RCA Victor Radio" and there's a little schematic.
The record changer is made by Collaro (I was told this is because it's Canadian, I live in Alberta. I guess in the United States RCA Victor made their own players but this is different.) There's a metal tag sticking out underneath that says:
"RCA Model C7JS2Q
Made in England for Radio Corporation of America by Collaro Ltd."
I tried to post pictures by my login info wouldn't work in the gallery so I have no pictures. I DID however make a video and post it on my YouTube account. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jpRRwlZ-48
If for some reason you can't get the video to work here's a brief description for you. This unit is a bit different in the way the electronics are laid out, which is why it caught my eye. Instead of the usual lid that flips open on top it has 2 drawers on the front, so it looks like a desk sort of. The left drawer slides out to reveal the record changer and the right drawer actually doesn't slide out but just tips forward to reveals the amp and radio controls. Along with "Phono" and "Radio" there is also a "TV" option on the main switch.
The Radio works fine, although there's a slight hum. And the changer won't give me sound but there's an obvious broken wire just behind the cartridge that i'm gonna try to fix soon. I know the issue isn't the amp because i plugged a different record player into the spot and the sound works good.
I can't find much about this machine on the internet. I found a few of the record changers for sale but that's it. Any info that anyone has to offer would be greatly appreciated! : )
Thanks a lot,
Lennon
