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Voice Of Music (VM) model 131 portable record player from 1954

2,601 views · Published 23 November 2012 · 6:07 · Indexed 17 October 2026

Channel: radiotvphononut · 2012 · Science & Technology

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Here's a four speed manually operated VM portable record player, model 131, that sold for $29.95 in 1954. This record player uses a single tube amp that requires a high output (2-3 volt) crystal cartridge in order to drive the amp to it's full potential. They could have used a preamp stage and a lower output ceramic cartridge; but, at the time, high output crystal cartridges were cheap and plentiful. Unfortunately, the years often take their toll on these old crystal cartridges and they are often bad when found today. It's also unfortunate that no one makes a high output crystal cartridge and our only choices are to find a NOS cartridge that may have issues or use a modern low output cartridge. If a low output cartridge is used, one either has to live with low volume or add an extra preamp stage to the chassis. In the past, I've used a 6AV6 tube for the additional preamp stage and just about any record player schematic that uses a preamp tube can be used as a reference. With this additional preamp stage, it's possible to use modern ceramic cartridges that produce somewhere between .5-1 volt output to obtain ample volume to fill a room. 

Also, this record player does not use a standard 1/2" cartridge mounting scheme. Instead, the original cartridge was held in place with adhesive. Since the original type crystal cartridge has long since been unavailable, I'll mount a modern stereo cartridge (wired for mono) to the tonearm and I'll add a preamp stage. So, don't worry. The cartridge/quarters/electrical tape mock-up is only temporary and was only done for the purpose of making this video. I'll make another video once this is properly restored.

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