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A twist on "Your absolute best..."

OK, here's a spin on the thread of "Your absolute best...". I mulled that question over for a while. Best in that regard is best sound, but you may have another piece which you particularly take pride in. Maybe your most interesting piece. It may not be your "best", but it does certainly deserve mention. My component, an old Edison phonograph. It is a floor standing console, I believe from the 1920's(from the phonographs which came with it). It is a wind up, and plays at 80rpm(NOT 78). Sits in my basement, as a stand for some of the junk down there. Could use some restoration of the cabinet as a result. I certainly cannot say it is a better component than my Jadis amp or Coincident speakers, but it sure is more interesting. It was bought by my family in the 1970s at a garage sale, for next to nothing. Have no idea of its worth, but I am not selling. Would love to see the list we come up with.
trelja
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Trelja; when I was a kid (45-50 yrs. ago), my folks had an Edison windup phonograph in the attic, complete with a stack of near 1/4" thick records. We got to play it once in awhile, and all I'll say is that hifi has come a long way since then! As to your thread, in this age of digital, a couple of years ago, I bought a Sony 3 head KA3ES cassette recorder (MSRP $980.) that sounds excellent when good ($3.50-$4.) tapes are used. I use it to make tapes for my truck, and walkman(s). I record my own from CD. The main thing lacking in sound quality are some dynamics; tape hiss is almost non-existent. Very smooth. When other systems are down, I really don't mind listening to tapes made and played on this machine-- it's that good. Cheers. Craig.
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
i also have an edison and a collection of a couple hundred records. my most prized music maker, tho, is a regina music box. its made of mahogany and was completely restored about 20 years ago by a friend of an uncle, who brought rare antique automobiles to concours condition. (never will forget, he had a pristine 1904 oldsmobile in his dining room.) the regina plays "records" that are about 24" in diameter; these records have tabs that contact arms on the music box mechanism to produce sound. we have 40 or 50 records that each plays about 3 minutes. the mahogany resonates beautifully. great fun, especially for kids.
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Here I have an unusual favorite component with a twist, my amp rack. I have described it before but it is very similiar to a salamanderdesign architype, with the exception of the shelving material T-6061 1/4" thick aluminum. It weighs about 250lbs (plus or minus a little bit) it is hard to move with two people, but when it is where it belongs it is not going any place especially with all of the equipment on it. I have been offered A LOT for it but just will not part with it, it is the only component that I made so it holds a certain amount sentimental value. (Not to mention the blood and sweat lost upon its creation)
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Good post Tireguy; I also made my own double-wide stereo stand-- concrete filled corner posts, British Tenderfeet, 200+ lbs. etc. I want my previous post back so I too can select my stereo rack-- thanks for the reminder. Cheers. Craig
tthomas
36 posts
 
I also have an old wind up called "Sonora Baby Grand" made by the Sonora Phonograph Co. in about 1915. My wife's grandfather bought it new, so we also have the owner's manual and 50-60 records. It has different needles for playing different makes of records. Some of the records require speeds up to 95 rpm. Even using the owner's manual to get the best sound (it says to be patient as a thorough knowledge of how to use it is necessary in order to obtain the best results)still doesn't quite match the new system.
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