The Victor V-225 Record Changer - "Magic Brain" changer.

[19Chuck80]

amazing I read a "Magic Brain" ad I have on an old RCA Victor 78rpm paper sleeve, thanks, very very cool

[SeeburgMusic]

There are emergency exits to the front and rear of the phonograph!!!

[kakureru]

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..

[hyzercreek]

The voice on this video, is this a computer? Because no human really talks that way. Must be computer.

[eastmolman]

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.

[TheMrRockola]

Fascinating; thanks for such educational video!

[mdmphd]

Absolutely fascinating - So thankful for youtube and your posting!!

[VTMCompany]

your voice/your voice: you are a pro beyond what we hear these days on both tv and radio. are you a voice major or in broadcasting?

[fromthesidelines]

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}.....

[fromthesidelines]

...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).

[clydesight]

That is an absolutely fascinating machine! Your video explains it very nicely. Are you using the AT&T "true voice" engine to narrate the video?

[SeeburgMusic]

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??

[ninjabluewings]

Now That Is INGENIOUS! For Such Old Technology

[12cmac1212]

I have one of these in my house. It is in very good shape. Does anyone know what it is worth or where i can go to find out?

[MarkAtnip]

@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.

[mamacordelia]

Please pass this on to those you know who may be looking for this great piece- see mine up for auction at integrityauction com

[hindsight1820]

You sound so professional. What a voice. Do you do this type of thing for a living? If not, you certainly could.  Great job!!

[mamacordelia]

I bought a V225 last weekend...thus I have began to research this great piece...I wont tell you what I bought it for, but I know I got a great deal...what is it worth and if I needed to sell it do you know who may be interested in it, as it seems there are so few of them. ANY IDEA of how many were even produced...as I heard that they were ONLY MADE for a few months in 1941 before pres Roosevelt demanded production cease because of world war II...thx awesome video & voice!

[RCA630TS]

You have a voice like a radio announcer. Nice diction.

[Mark5W8Comer]

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?

[philcobeam]

Thank you for sharing ,this machine is amazing ,the tonearm looks like a double silent sapphire type that was used later on.I have 1947 RCA console that has it and it has never given me a bit of trouble .

[debiani3866]

1:30 HOLY COW THATS COOL! Wish my record player could do that

[teendude16]

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.

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[teendude16]

Thanks for the reply, it sure is beautiful . Thx.

[Dale4ever3]

I collect radios, (have over 600) and that just put every Phonograph I have to shame. I applaud you sir. I truly am jealous.

[PepulzGuys]

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.

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[manidig]

@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.

[wdgeo]

1:02 That can't be good!

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[wdgeo]

I was actually referring to the way the spindle seems to drag across the face of the record as it rights itself.

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[merrihew]

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.

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[chagall56]

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!

[glennmillerfan]

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).

[farr64]

great informatve video ,i wonder is the format used based on some early juke boxes .have you seen the hmv gramophone autochanger its on youtube .thanks for sending.

[chagall56]

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?

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[Moooperator]

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!

[AshleyMarlene]

That is amazing! We just came across a Webster Chicago but it hums loud when we turn it on. We have albums dating from 1906. Do you think we need to replace the tube? Needle? Any suggestions? You have a treasure there! We have never seen anything like that but we are novices. Great vid!!!! 5 stars for sure!

.~♥•´(¯`♥´¯)`•♥•´(((HUGS)))`•♥ •´

..~♥ღ`*.¸.*´ღ♥.Ashley Marlene~♥ღ¸♪♫•*´

[Vinylrecordsneverdie]

Omg, that the coolest thing I ever saw especially a working one! I think saw one of those on Ebay before.

[gtimandan]

FANTASTIC POST! Absolutely amazing piece of technology - thank youfor sharing it :)

One question - when the small turntable lifts the record up, what holds the disc in place with enough force to enable the tone arms to not disturb the record, especially when the bottom tone arm is lifting up on the disc from the underside?

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[Jpmadore1]

Wow-much more complicated than the drop-type changers I'm used to! Very neat!

[teendude16]

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.

[minks171991]

how much is the v-225 worth?

[dandeb5559]

That record changer is very cool! I also have only seen it on the advertisements for it on the record sleeves. Thank you!

[16mmDJ]

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.

[jamesdean062879]

WOw! I've always wanted to see one of these! The records don't slip on that small turntable?

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[BoyViking]

Whats the disc on the changer? Red Perfect? Hey, show another version with a stack of RCA Victors please! Thanks for the vid!

[MarkAtnip]

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.

[mrrk]

How wonderfull.

More please.