The Victor V-225 Record Changer - "Magic Brain" changer.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- A quick introduction to the Victor V-225 record changer. Often referred to as the "Magic Brain" changer, this changer was unique in its ability to play both sides of the record without flipping it over.
Seeing this brought back memories of the smell of the cabinet the fabric covering the speakers and the tubes warming up the inside.
you make it sound like an emergency PSA :P
If you see this changer in the street, avoid eye contact and do not make any sudden movements..
Hello! :) No, that's just me. I have been in broadcasting since I was young. Perhaps not surprisingly I tend to provide the vocal track for a lot of documentaries and educational video, as well as audiobooks.
thank you for posting this, i saw a commercial for the magic brain changer on one of my 78 rpm record sleeves. thank you for all of the information.
Marvel of engineering but sadly a record destroyer
Very interesting. Just to clarify, this changer came out in the fall of 1941, not the late 1930's. I read an article dated October 1941 that reviews the "new" Magic Brain changer.
There are emergency exits to the front and rear of the phonograph!!!
It only contacts the label, so it doesn't wear the playing surface. All in all it's surprising how little wear this system put on the records given the number of drops and other operations that each disk had to go through, however it is definitely not the machine you want to play your more valuable records on.
Greetings
Indeed the disc is a red Perfect. It's a split side featuring the Westchester Biltmore Country Club Orchestra on side A performing a nice fox trot version of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo'" The flip side is a very underrated (in my opinion) and perky dance side entitled "Japanette" by the Casino Dance Orchestra. (Which I believe is a pseudonym for the California Ramblers.
What a rare machine! I'm sure these went for very large sums of money when they were sold originally. Odd how nobody figured out how to make the modern drop-disc changer until so many years later. This is probably the best mechanism I've seen for playing two sides! BTW- What a magnificent speaking voice you have- professional announcer?
Шифоньер интересный. Любопытно, сколько шеллачных пластинок было разбито этим механизмом? Имел дело с такими пластинками, хрупкость на уровне стекла. Возможно, (возможно, ну и просмотрев это видео), могу предположить, что для него выпускались свои версии пластинок, повышенной прочности. Надо же людям на чём-то зарабатывать?
Greetings, Ninja
The machine rarely breaks records unless they are already warped or cracked. Warped records get caught in the mechanism and can either jam it or crack the discs. If the records are flat and undamaged, it is surprisingly gentle.
There is a switch on the changer that allows it to play sequences in this manner.
If you only want to play your favorite side of 10 different records, or if you had a symphony set that was sequenced in the 1-10, 2-9, 3-8, 4-7, 5-6, manner you could do so. Of course at the end of side 5 you would have to retrieve the 5 discs out of the discard bin and reset them on the supports.
That is one of the micro-fine adjustments that makes this machine so complicated and tricky. It is only the weight of the record that provides down force when playing the bottom of the record. The adjustment of the tone arm must be precise or the needle will either lift the record from the turntable, or will not provide enough tracking force to either track or clearly reproduce the music.
Absolutely fascinating - So thankful for youtube and your posting!!
It was deceptively gentle with discs. It does not use "nail" needles, and the weight on the tone arm was light compared to most spring motor phonographs. It's not quite as light as some of the post war players, but for a pre-war model. Based on years of use, I have found that playing it frequently and doing routine maintenance is the best way to keep it working.
it is a interesting retro turntable, but I was told it is hard on records, wearing them out fast like the old jukeboxes. Great thanks for posting.
An engineering marvel!!! Thanks for posting.
Gosh. . It looks a bit rough. . Surely the pointed spindle scraped the underside label when it moves across?
The spindle appears pointed, but it is rounded off at the top and doesn't do any damage that I have noticed over the years. Having said that, I don't play valuable discs on it.
After seeing these on Victor and Bluebird sleeves I had wondered if any of these were still in existence. They sure look quite complicated. And as you say records from the war and after (especially Capitols and RCA Victors!!) are so breakable. Fortunately the non breakables started coming out around 1947-48 such as on MGMs & Mercurys. Many records before 1925 didn't have offtracks on the end so I'm sure they wouldn't work unless you hit the manual switch.
Rube Goldberg would be proud
I'm sorry to butt in here... but 33 1/3 rpm records were actually sold very shortly in 1930, 1931, and maybe even 1932. You can find some Victor console players that will accept them. The problem was... the old and heavy pickups utterly destroyed them. So, radio stations only used LPs until the format was publicly re-relesed by Columbia in 1947. OK, I talk too much.
The material of the new 33 rpm records was a shellac PVC mix. Similar to post war shellac, so it will damage post war shellacs to play them on an acoustic player.
The technology for doing LPs existed pretty long.
I think some factors forced the LP
- tape recorders were available, so the recording could be edited
- fees would be paid per record
- it was difficult to get shellac
- much people didn't want to play records without any electricity
RCA Victor called their gramophones Victrolas into the 70s.
That's because Victrola is an RCA Victor trademark.
amazing I read a "Magic Brain" ad I have on an old RCA Victor 78rpm paper sleeve, thanks, very very cool
I was actually referring to the way the spindle seems to drag across the face of the record as it rights itself.
Very impressive! Great presentation. I have the 1st generation Victor changer and I'm currently working to get a HMV 1A automatic running. Thanks for this great video!
Just wonderful! Congratulations on owning one if these marvels, and thank you for sharing it with us!!
"Magic Brain" LOL, I love it!
TwinMillMC Magic Brain originally referred to the Superheterodyne receiver. It was a marketing term. It eventually referred to any top-of-the-line features.
A bit rough on the record… hopefully they’ll be fine
Wow, I can imagine these would be a right ol' bear to restore. That's awesome.
Nice job, but is it just me or does this dude sound like the robot from Lost in Space? Also check out the ring on this guy's finger. Was Liberace your phonograph operator??
Minor league hockey championship ring : ) One of three : )
When the record is wrapped, could it be, that side B touches it's stylus while playing side A?
If the disc was warped much more than it is, then yes it would. Fortunately this one is just under the limit and it plays without an issue.
@12cmac1212
The machine is actually quite valuable if it is in decent condition. This one is original, and while it has been taken care of it has not been restored. Everything down to the wood finish is original. (other than tubes) A machine in this condition is worth several thousands of dollars. One that does not work, but is complete might still be worth a grand. One that will require restoration will sell in the $500ish range if its complete. Less for one that requires finding rare parts.
The 1952 Rockola 78 rpm jukebox used the forward/reverse with up and down styluses. Ruined record labels however.
The Rockola was meant to make money, not handle records gently.
If you are referring to the act of dropping the record off the support pegs onto the table, I don't think I have had a record break during the drop. The record separating knife style separators WILL break or chip a record every now and then. Non-warped, pre war discs generally have no problem. Wartime and post war discs have edges that chip very easily on this machine, and warped records also break easily because of the separators on the drop mechanism.
I am ashamed to admit the sins of my past.
Duc taping m-80s to 78s ,frisbee throwing them and covering our heads as the exploded.
BLAMMO
Tisk tisk…
Correct.. It plays only 78rpm records. In fact in only plays 78rpm records that are identical in size to Victor records, and those that are slightly smaller. Records that are a tiny bit larger than the 10" Victor discs (like the 10" Columbia discs) will not play as the record will not fit into the record supports. It CAN however be adjusted to play 12' 78rpm records. The 12" setting is more forgiving and seems to play 12" records of all makes.
It's great to look at, but this unit will distroy your reto 78 record disk, cause it throws them, and those heavy arms, with nail needles. It is gd to just display it, not use it. Thanks for posting.
Greetings
The records don't slip. It has a rubber surface on the top of the turntable and the pressure that pushes up on the records from the underside is minimal if the machine is configured and adjusted properly. A poorly adjusted machine will lift the records off the turntable causing skipping, sliding and uneven play.
The voice on this video, is this a computer? Because no human really talks that way. Must be computer.
Fascinating to actually see one operate but appears to be less gentle, less accomodating of record variations and more prone to maladies than the Capehart. Thanks very much.
This 1941 model only plays "78"'s, 'Pepulz'. The modern "33" rpm record wasn't introduced until June 1948, by RCA's rival, CBS/Columbia; David Sarnoff was so outraged that Columbia managed to introduce a successful "long-playing record" before HE could {he tried marketing a 10 inch 33rpm record in 1931- "Victor Transcriptions"- but you could only play them on a $250 Victrola radio/phonograph, and few people had the money to buy them back then; those discs were abandoned in early 1933}.....
Indeed I do. The one in the video is complete and all original. There are a few superficial flaws, however I have decided to keep it in an unrestored state.
...so he tried to "outmanuver" the "33" by introducing the "45" single record in March 1949...the resulting "War of the Speeds" ended when RCA began producing "LP's" in January 1950, while Columbia started to market "45's" by late 1951...and the "78" officially ceased production by the end of 1958 (a small number of pressings WERE manufactured in the U.S. through 1960, and "78" children's records continued through the mid-'60s).
I am hoping that I will be able to add a nice Capehart to the collection one day. I have always enjoyed watching them operate.
I have never seen an early (pre-Columbia) 33, and I have seen a LOT of records. I can see where the weight would thrash them pretty quickly, thus delaying their acceptance.
¡Fantastico "centro musical" antiguo!. Me encanto.
I Think The Jewel Light Scanner Ment That It Used A Sappire Needle Insted Of A Steel Needle And A Lighter Weight Pickup (Tracking At A Then Astunding 30 Grams).
My friend Rick had one of these, he was into unusual turntables.
@PepulzGuys RCAVictor did manufacture shellac 33 1/3 records in the early 30s, but they were not successful. By the late 30s when this machine was made they had given up on them.
I am not Mark Atnip, but I do own a Victrola V-225 that I am restoring. The pegboard that you mention is 1 inch thick and surrounds the turntable on three sides. I think it was put there for acoustical reasons and is a type of acoustic board.
I expect it only played 78 rpm, for 33 1/3 and 45 weren't sold until the late 1940s, right?
P.S. The chute is really cool.
I would like see another video of this phongraph showing a record playing with the sound on. I would also like to hear and see the radio playing and the back interior of this fine set. In fact, I want one!
thanks for the video, never really saw it before! In the '42 RCA Victor record manufacturing film which is on YT, you can see this changer in action at the end of the film.
what type of needles does this use as the advertisements I've seen for these on RCA victor record sleeves say that it has a jewel lite scanner.
Dislike, just because of the "electronic voice"
Thanks for the reply, it sure is beautiful . Thx.
Wow wow 👍 👏 year of production please ? Are there still technicians who can repair and restore such treasures ! Thanks
There are some hard-core guys that can repair machines like this. I don't know how many WOULD repair one. The guy that did this one told me it better last forever because he doesn't want to do it again. On the bright side, it has been going for 15 years with only routine maintenance.
@@MarkAtnip thanks for replying - even after more than 3 months ! - I have never seen such technology before with the other brands of turntable changer sets , keep the machine in your eyes, you have a real treasure.
but is there still similar sets ( the same model and type No.) in the other auctions and galleries !
@12cmac1212 -CONDITION, CONDITION and CONDITION.
Do you have the entire console?
i Have one Long Play " columbia -Electric trasncriptions (The flying Bomb)
Thank you. That was absolutely fascinating to watch.
I thought, FM radio was introduced after WW2?
It did exist BEFORE WW2, but was shelved. When reintroduced after the war, David Sarnoff at RCA convinced the FCC to change the frequencies to 87.9-107.9 MHz to stiff Edwin Armstrong (the inventor of FM) out of royalties.
There was some FM pre WWII. I have a Zenith console with the original FM band (the only radio I have that does that) unfortunately it’s in poor shape currently
Your commentary is erudite, BUT should be performed again at a
slower pace for easier comprehension by we viewers / listeners of this very interesting and informative presentation
First, thanks so much for posting the video. I've seen the adverts on many an old Victor record sleeve; always wondered how they worked. The many forms of vintage record changers is fascinating. Very professionally narrated, I might add.
Imagine RCA Victor making an audio CD/DVD version.
Mecanismo incrível. Rio RJ Brasil
You have a voice like a radio announcer. Nice diction.
Incredible!! Thank you.
This is a great record player
Thanks for posting !
Fascinating; thanks for such educational video!
I have acquired a 1942 RCA Victrola V-225 as well as a V-215 I assume they both used the same radio chassis. I am having the radio rebuilt right now and am anxious to try out the phono on the V-225. I guess I should remove the phono and try to lube it and check it out before turning it on? Do you know anyone who restores these? Marc.
hello
can you let me know who will restore the 225 record changer ?
I thought that the Magic Brain record changer came in the 1942 model just before the war cut off phonograph production. Am I wrong? But this is a very interesting phonograph whatever the year! My question is how did it deal with classical multi record sets that were arranged for automatic sequence, such as in a 5 disc symphony side 10 is the flip of side 1?
Classical records were available in different sequences. For example, the flip side of #1 is #2.
GREAT!!!!! I love old records!
Is that "pegboard" background original to the machine? Funny they would use that, instead of wood. Very impressive player.
hello you are correct only because mine has the peg board as well
can you please send me to someone who can restore the electronics of the record changer
thanks
Johnny
1:02 That can't be good!
Wouldn't the fragile shellac discs break when they dropped?
Sorry, listened on...
AMEI! LOVE! AMO!
1:30 HOLY COW THATS COOL! Wish my record player could do that
Check eBay for a tray loading record player. A few models were available in the 1980s. They not only played both sides of an LP but were programmable, so you could choose which songs to listen to.
superb
Nope... It's just me.
This is great to see, however this machine distroys the disc completely, wearing out the disc, due to heavy tone arm tracking and the stylus needle is a nail like, abrasive, and the disc being throw at the end, it may not break the disc overall, but it distroys them anyway, this is more of a museum piece actually for display purposes.
who can help me with mine I just bought a RCA 225 model it needs restored?
please help with name number or e-mail or web
thanks
Johnny
You're joking, right? Pre-WWII 78 RPM records were designed to be played on acoustic phonographs with tracking forces in excess of 100 grams. TH-cam user "BassetHoundTrio" did a test of playing a 78 RPM record 100 times on an acoustic Victrola with a steel needle tracking at about 135 grams. You can listen to how it sounded on the first play and after 100 plays at such a heavy tracking force. There is very little audible degradation! And this Victor record changer's electrical pickup is feather-light in comparison.
I do not know anything about these machines, sorry I could not help you here.
That is nonsense, they do destroy records period!
Gerry K ONLY if you played "Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits" vinyl on here would it get destroyed! This machine was made for HEAVY DUTY (and not so fragile) 78 RPM discs.
These got a bad rap because WW2 broke out and record mfg changed just enough that the knife blades chipped or snapped some records. The machine got the blame though.
I guess the narrator was saying that post-war 78’s after 1945 are fragile and it will intend to break which was a waste of time, as well as early Columbia acoustic records are easy to break due to shellac material.
This changer sucks, and it is very rare for a “Magic Brain” changer. It didn’t catch on until RCA Victor discontinued it with a stand-alone changer and dropped the “Magic Brain” from its brand. RCA Victor introduced the “Magic Brain” from around 1935 until the early 1940’s. I should stick with the Victrola brand made by the Victor Talking Machine Co. like my Victor VV 8-4 which was pre-RCA from 1926 before RCA bought it in 1929.