Portable acouistic gramophone - for mains? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Paul_RK · 18th Jan 2023, 6:15 pm

When you think you've seen it all...

I've just been viewing a portable gramophone of standard 1930s / early '40s appearance in typical black leathercloth, branded Ariola, with a typical lever speed adjustment at the front of the motor board on the right, a winding handle stored in the lid with an aperture in the case front to receive it: acoustic soundbox, standard concealed horn; but by the base of the tone arm are two projecting pins, looking to be about the right size for a DAC90-style mains connector, and in front of them a chromed scale of similar style to the speed one with a lever to allow adjustment between various DC and AC mains voltage options. Anyone met such an item before? I can't think what the mains supply is there for, unless to power a motor to relieve the user of the task of winding the spring.

Paul

Audio1950 · 18th Jan 2023, 6:43 pm

I have four portables that run on mains power or spring. (two Electrolas, one Dual and one Paillard) The motors are made by Dual. and they have a voltage selector plate. Does the one you saw have a winding handle as well or is it purely electric?

Barry

Paul_RK · 18th Jan 2023, 7:06 pm

Well I'll be

, I'd never seen such a thing or guessed that they might exist. Yes, there's a handle that's inserted at the front of the case. It looks in quite good order, the auction room has all its electrical items PAT tested or put out of commission but I expect the chap responsible didn't give a portable gramophone a second glance: not that there would have been any action for him to take in the absence of a mains lead.

wd40addict · 18th Jan 2023, 7:15 pm

This is where Dual's name comes from. They were one of the first companies that produced a motor that could run on either electricity or spring power.

Paul_RK · 19th Jan 2023, 9:20 am

Ah, thanks. I may have heard that in the past, and probably imagined cabinet rather than portable instruments, though it makes more sense for a portable as long as the added weight isn't excessive. Perhaps I'll try a modest bid for this one, it's the first I've met with in fifty-odd years of auction-going so it's not very likely another will cross my path.

18th Jan 2023, 6:15 pm	#1
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Portable acouistic gramophone - for mains? When you think you've seen it all... I've just been viewing a portable gramophone of standard 1930s / early '40s appearance in typical black leathercloth, branded Ariola, with a typical lever speed adjustment at the front of the motor board on the right, a winding handle stored in the lid with an aperture in the case front to receive it: acoustic soundbox, standard concealed horn; but by the base of the tone arm are two projecting pins, looking to be about the right size for a DAC90-style mains connector, and in front of them a chromed scale of similar style to the speed one with a lever to allow adjustment between various DC and AC mains voltage options. Anyone met such an item before? I can't think what the mains supply is there for, unless to power a motor to relieve the user of the task of winding the spring. Paul

18th Jan 2023, 6:43 pm	#2
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,763	Re: Portable acouistic gramophone - for mains? I have four portables that run on mains power or spring. (two Electrolas, one Dual and one Paillard) The motors are made by Dual. and they have a voltage selector plate. Does the one you saw have a winding handle as well or is it purely electric? Barry

18th Jan 2023, 7:06 pm	#3
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Portable acouistic gramophone - for mains? Well I'll be , I'd never seen such a thing or guessed that they might exist. Yes, there's a handle that's inserted at the front of the case. It looks in quite good order, the auction room has all its electrical items PAT tested or put out of commission but I expect the chap responsible didn't give a portable gramophone a second glance: not that there would have been any action for him to take in the absence of a mains lead.

18th Jan 2023, 7:15 pm	#4
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: Portable acouistic gramophone - for mains? This is where Dual's name comes from. They were one of the first companies that produced a motor that could run on either electricity or spring power.

19th Jan 2023, 9:20 am	#5
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Portable acouistic gramophone - for mains? Ah, thanks. I may have heard that in the past, and probably imagined cabinet rather than portable instruments, though it makes more sense for a portable as long as the added weight isn't excessive. Perhaps I'll try a modest bid for this one, it's the first I've met with in fifty-odd years of auction-going so it's not very likely another will cross my path.