Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Gold No.5A Fully Rebuilt ~ Credenza, 8-30, VV 2-55

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Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Gold No.5A Fully Rebuilt ~ Credenza, 8-30, VV 2-55:
$419.00

Victor Victrola Orthophonic Reproducer Gold #5A
Manufactured circa 1928
Accurately Restored - Excellent Full Range Sound

You are purchasing a carefully and accurately restored goldfinished Victor Victrola Orthophonic No.5A Soundbox-Reproducer in excellent condition. It is suitable for all Orthophonic floor model Victrolas including the Credenza and it will work with most Orthophonic portables and table top Victrolas. All of the work that was performed on this reproducer was done by me, Walt Sommers, owner of Gettysburg Antique Phonographs.

Because of its goldfinish this Orthophonic reproducer is especially suited for machines like the Credenza, VV 8-1, 8-30, 2-55, 2-56,HMV 1, and many other Victor and HMV Orthophonic machines that have gold fixtures but will work perfectly and others. Contact me if you need help determining if this will work with your particularmachine.The \"A\" suffix used to identify the model number (i.e. No.5A) signifies that the reproducer is the type with a front cover that. The No.5 (no \'A\' suffix)does not have a front cover.

The No.5Awas designed especially for portables that did not have a lid that could be closed during play. Closing the lid ofan Orthophonic Victrola,or in this caseproviding dampening by way ofthe felt layer under the front cover, suppresses[especially] high frequency sounds that are emitted from the face of the diaphragm. This includes the reduction ofsurface noise (or \"scratch\" as it is better known) and thesuppression ofother sound wavesthat are not in phase with those produced from the opposite side of the diaphragmthat would otherwise tend to interfere.The front coveralso protects the diaphragm fromaccidental damage.TheNo.5 and No.5A are interchangeable and both produceexcellent sound. All original No.5A reproducers, without exception,are made of pot metal. The one you are looking atis in excellent physical condition with absolutely no cracks or swollen sections.

This reproducer\'s finishhas been restored. By this I mean that it was first completely disassembled (see pictures of exploded view above). The original gold wash finish was badly wornand needed to be refinished.I use a brass powder based lacquer similar to that which Victor would have used. The black lacquer finish on the rear casting and retaining ring has also been restored.

All of the bearings used in the needle fulcrum/pivot arenewparts.The original rubberretaining washers/inserts were hardened and have beenreplaced with new resilient rubber parts. (See exploded view above.) One of the not so obvious but critical points of service involves cleaning and polishing the bearing races and the pivot pinitself. This is important becausethe old dried out rubber and oxidationthat formson the parts must be cleaned. In order to do this, the pivot pin must be removed. Removing it safely (and installing it again) requires a special press. This isan invaluable part of proper service thatis usually neglected. I know this because I am often sent reproducersthat have been poorly serviced.

The original diaphragm was damaged and has been replaced with an accuratelymade reproduction part. The diaphragm is a new part that is in superb condition. Note thatthe spider has been surface mounted as shown in the pictures. The overall frequency response of this reproducer is on par withother#5A reproducers that I have worked with. The diaphragm gaskets are carefully made parts that I fabricate and they have properties that excel the originals. The tone arm mounting gasket has been replaced with a custom part made of very supple rubber.

During reassembly of the reproducer I apply a very thin film of synthetic grease to all threaded parts as well as the diaphragm edges, gaskets and reproducer flange surfaces. This helps ensure an airtight fit of all parts and it also facilitates future disassembly if it should become necessary. If a reproducer is not airtight, it cannot develop sufficient air pressure during reproduction to produce good sound. This is especially important for low frequency response, the forte ofOrthophonic Victrola engineering.

The parts that I service and represent are top quality. I rely on technical information that I have studied in patents as well as original Victor, Bell, RCA and Western Electric engineering texts. Once you understand a design from an engineering point of viewyou can use your head and hands to properly restore something based on the way it is supposed to function.This is the key to accurate work and the elimination of careless mistakes inflicted by weekend warriors.Improper service and guesswork always leads to the destruction of irreplaceable records.

This reproducer sounds very nice and it\'s performance is comparable to what can be achieved fromeven the very bestproperly servicedOrthophonic reproducer. Personally I ama fan of my the brass Orthophonic reproducersand prefer their tone above any other,but many of the pot metal reproducers like this oneperform just as well for most recordings. The interpretation of sound depends on many factors such as personal preferences and the fitness of human ears, so if you have any questions please email me.