In a world saturated with digital technology, where functional obsolescence and consumption reduce the lifespan of each device, people are rediscovering the value of analog playback sources and vintage audio equipment. Among these, vinyl records are highly prized gems for collectors, audiophiles, and now, also for new generations.
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My passion for audio began in childhood, when I watched my grandfather turn on his Philips vacuum tube record player and handle the vinyl records with the same delicacy and respect as if he were touching a priceless jewel.
These experiences left a deep impression on me, and during my adolescence, my mother bought me my first component audio system. A mini Hi-Fi system from the Sanyo brand that I will never forget.
At home, my parents had a record player, and along with family photos, vinyl records were among their most treasured possessions. My Polish mother amassed a large collection of music from her country, which, combined with the Cuban music my father bought, created a fascinating blend of cultures and melodies from different genres.
A record for a record player or turntable is a medium, usually made of shellac or vinyl, on which a sound recording is imprinted mechanically in the grooves of that material.
Just as a human being cannot breathe without their lungs and the rest of the respiratory system, a record alone cannot give us its music without an audio device to play it. For this reason, talking about one without the other would be incomplete.
In 1887, the German Emile Berliner patented the Gramophone, a device with a crank that, when turned, winds an internal spring. Once its tension is released, it drives a rotating system attached to a turntable, where the flat record to be played is inserted.
This 1904 RCA Victrola gramophone from New Jersey, U.S.A., is a treasure in the house, working and offering its design and history to everyone who knows how to appreciate it.
Initially, these records came with music recorded on only one side; later, both sides could be enjoyed. They rotated at a fast speed, at 78 rpm, or revolutions per minute.
Gramophones could be portable, with or without a horn. They were also manufactured in larger sizes. A metal stylus, resembling a headless nail, traces the grooves to produce that characteristic sound, which many today perceive as metallic and shrill.
Excessive mechanical friction of the pick on the record causes rapid wear of the pick, so it must be changed to obtain a better sound result.
About 78 rpm Records:
These records, manufactured in 10 and 12-inch diameters, are much heavier than modern vinyl records. They were made of hardened shellac. Despite this, they are fragile, especially with age. Many crack with normal handling.
Those who would like to learn more about these 78 rpm records can read this post.
They are stored vertically, never horizontally, in a cabinet designed for vinyl records. This cabinet has different dividers, where I have the records organized by musical genre.
The records should not be exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures. In Cuba, the relative humidity is high, a factor that is detrimental to the condition of the records and their covers.
The cabinet has 15 cm legs so that the records are raised off the floor and thus have less exposure to humidity. They cannot be packed tightly so that we can easily remove and replace them. They need to breathe.
Portable Record Player: Ideal for 7" Records
This beautiful vintage record player with an internal electric motor, manufactured by Columbia, still works and plays mono sound.
I have it as a collector's item and sometimes use it to play 7-inch vinyl records at 45 rpm. They were very popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
Most have one song per side, and although they aren't used much today, they remind me of the time when they were sold in my country.
As you can see in the photos, some have a small hole and others a large hole, which requires an adapter.
I really like this other vintage record player. It's a Zenith Cobra Matic from the 1950s. It has a built-in tube amplifier for stereo sound. It plays LPs (long-playing records) at 45 rpm and 33 rpm.
In short, the world surrounding vinyl records and their equipment is fascinating. It's that analog sound that cultivates and reflects the thoughts, creativity, history, and melody of its creator.
Thanks to those who read to the end.
Own photos. Used cell phone: Pixel 6a
Text by Andrés Brunet
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