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VV 7-10 / VE 7-10

RARITY: ¤¤¤   VALUE:  ¤ 

The VV 7-10 was a "home entertainment center" pairing a Victor Orthophonic (acoustic) phonograph with an RCA Radiola 16. The phonograph featured a two-spring motor and a small "folded" (re-entrant) horn. As was the case with many radio sets of that timeframe, the radio was powered by a group of batteries that were mounted inside the cabinet. The Radiola 16 was one of the first 'TRF' (Tuned Radio Frequency) sets that required only a single knob for tuning, rather than the typical array of knobs that was previously required to select a radio station. It also included newly-developed tube designs which were far more reliable than previous versions. A large mechanical-valve "switch" would change the routing from the radio's electromagnetic driver or from the phonograph's tonearm directly to the horn's "neck". Since the newly-developed paper-cone speaker, which provided better sound (and eliminated the large mechanical switching valve) had become popular by the end of 1927, the 7-10 was essentially obsolete when it was introduced.
This Victrola could be ordered with either a spring powered phonograph (VV 7-10) or with an electric motor option (VE 7-10).  To clarify this confusing terminology, the electric-motor designation refers to the phonograph motor only; in both models the radio was battery powered. VE versions eliminated the need to hand-wind the phonograph motor.
The 7-10 was introduced in the autumn of 1927, and production was abruptly discontinued within a few months when more advanced (and lower cost) radio/phono systems became available on the market.  The cabinet had a rather plain "boxy" design with a mahogany veneer.  It sold new for $275.00, which equates to approximately $4,100.00 in today's money. The electric motor was a $35.00 option.
Approximately 5,900 VV 7-10 consoles were produced in late 1927, but less than 300 electric-powered (VE 7-10) versions were made.  Since radio and electronic technology was developing so rapidly in the mid-1920's, the 7-10 became obsolete very quickly, and it is likely that many were sold at discount in 1928.
While the 7-10 is a relatively rare model, the high cost of restoration of these early electronic sets limits the interest of many collectors today.

The current survival database shows the earliest existent VV 7-10 to be s/n 601 and the latest to be s/n 4995

No VE 7-10 models have been logged at this time

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