Phonoland

I spotted this today, on youtube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo6y2S-MTpo

It does a pretty good job of illustrating what others have posted on this forum concerning these new production record players. It's the first time I'd seen the guts of the unit, though, and I can see why there have been so many complaints on sites such as Amazon, etc. For instance, these, about the Crosley Traveler model --

One star ratings -- http://www.amazon.com/Crosley-Traveler- ... ewpoints=0

Two star ratings -- http://www.amazon.com/Crosley-Traveler- ... Descending

Three star ratings -- http://www.amazon.com/Crosley-Traveler- ... Descending

Yes, there are plenty of four and five star ratings, but many of them sound like marketing clap-trap, and there's no way to tell which ones may have been posted by Crosley employees or other shills.

As for me, I go by my own experience. I owned the Crosley Traveler for about one day before I took it back to the store in disgust. My main complaint was the fact that the turntable spun about 10 percent faster than it should have, on all three speeds, making every record sound like it was performed by the Munchkins. I tested a few more at the store and they were all too fast. Needless to say, I opted for a refund rather than an exchange. After reading some of the horror stories posted on Amazon, I'm glad things worked out the way they did.

I wish I could recommend a quality new-production self contained record player, but I can't. Even my experience with the highly rated Vestax Handy Trax wasn't that great. The built-in speaker provided only a whisper of sound, even at full volume--the only way to hear anything was to use stereo earphones--and it only lasted about three years before the motor burned out.

For those who want a self-contained record player, I'd suggest a used recently-produced, out of production, Califone or other type of school model. (The latest model Califones, unfortunately, come out of the same factories as the Crosley, etc. models, and based on what I've read, online, have the same quality control and cheap construction issues.) Another option would be to buy a good condition vintage model from the mid to late 1960s, and have it fully refurbished.

If anyone knows of ANY well made new-production record players, please chime in!

Joe_DS

Yes Joe, I've seen that video before, when browsing youtube.
And indeed, it's true that those junky players are a waste of money.
How can they not be?
We see them come in the shop here on occasion, and know all too well how they're made.
And the prices are rediculous as well.

Of course the sexy snazzy cabinetry draws the unsuspecting potential customer into purchasing one.
Kinda like the wolf in sheeps clothing...
But its sales are relying on this mindset of the people - shallowness, looks, ignorance.
Much like a lot of things are based on today, unfortunately.

So yeah, if you want quality, search out products that were once made with it, and had style, and as you said, get it refurbished.
It'll last much longer, sound much better, and the investment IMO is well worth it to stem the flow of these cheap abominations.

Good quality portable players are non-existent. Even the institutional players are now using the same cheap Chinese plastic turntables as the Crosley junk.

Older Califone, Audiotronic and Newcomb school phons are well made but use crude tonearms that track at approx 5 grams.

Another problem is the use of ceramic plugin cartridges. These were designed to permit easy total renewal in cases of rough handling but the quality varies widely from one cart to the next -even in the same model.

they are Ok for the most non-critical listening and for 78's where the inherent treble rolloff cuts surface noise. However, the 78 stylus on these carts is always sapphire. The larger "transcription" portable record player/P.A. systems that Califone made using a wrist action tonearm can be refitted with a magnetic cart, but it will need to be a rugged one as the arm's inherent balance is all forward and the bearings aren't the best. The best attribute to institutional players is that they are rugged, easy to repair and cheap due to a glut of school sales.

The ONLY true hi-fi suitcase portables are those made by KLH and a rare one made by Elac/Miracord. These both use full size changers and decent magnetic pickups.

The KLH was Model 11 and variants were made by them for other companies such as Singer and Masterwork.

Rob/NYC

I agree with the above. The best bet is to obtain a vintage machine and have it restored or rebuilt. Vintage phonographs that in their day were not considered to be of very high quality are still heads 'n tails better than what can be bought today. It's a shame too when you consider how renewed interest in records and in general, analog sound by younger generations is going to be influenced by what they hear coming out of these machines. As they listen to these cheap Chi-Com they will conclude that digital is indeed better. Pity...

How 'bout these Classroom items? I regret getting rid of my many Wollensaks from back in the day--BB





Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Out of curiosity, I checked the Internet Archive to see when KAB USA was selling the last Califone phonograph not made in China. The model 1035AV was available as late as 2005-2006. The model 1010AV (a stripped down version which didn't include the variable speed settings knob) was discontinued in 2004.






Since these were built to last about 20+ years, they'd be a good alternative to the newly produced all plastic garbage. They probably wouldn't need major servicing until about 2025. Not for playing "archive quality" LPs on a regular basis, but a great little portable, with pretty good sound.

I've seen some listed for as little as $50 on Ebay.

JDS

Perhaps, if enough people are informed about these Crosley hunks of junk, they'll pull these off the market and recycle the cheap plastic for something else.

The marketing hype they use - the snazzy cabinetry, is no different than classic False Advertising used to LURE the unwary into buying one.

Fake antique = junque

Record-changer wrote:Fake antique = junque

I don't care what the kids who sell great-gradma's 1968 Magnavox Astro Sonic stereo on Craigslist think. I REFUSE to call anything 10 years newer than I am an "antique."

I don't even consider the early electrically amplified phonographs to be antique, maybe with the exception of the late 1920s Electrolas and Panatropes. I'll call 1930s-1960s models "vintage," but not "antique." My 1910 Victor V qualifies as antique, and my 1926 VV-4-40 is getting there....

Joe

DoghouseRiley wrote:
Hmm..

And how about you Joe?

The 1968 Astro Sonic is ten years newer than I am, which means I'm the same age as Madonna--though I'm sure she'd never admit it. I've got 45 years to go before I hit the 100 mark, so I'll have to settle for "vintage."

Joe

I'll UP you five more years, Joe...
Consider me "old".
LOL!

Qh, you "youngins"--go out and play in the yard--
I am sooooo old, that the list rejects my birthday as being "impossible" !
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Qh, you "youngins"--go out and play in the yard--
I am sooooo old, that the list rejects my birthday as being "impossible" !
Ron Rich

So what you're saying, Mister Ronald, is that.....
Your birth certificate is chiseled on a stone tablet?