VE 12-25 X
The
12-25 was a premium, fully electronic phonograph, introduced in early 1927. It paired a
Victor turntable system with the latest RCA audio amplifier and paper-cone
speaker. A radio was not
included. This model was produced at a time when advancements in electronic
amplification were progressing at an incredible rate; the effects of distortion
and electrical noise were reduced significantly with each new design iteration.
In order to remain competitive, it was imperative that Victor update its
model line with the latest in sound-reproduction quality. While the 12-25
offered a very good sound quality, it was replaced in early 1928 by the
VE 12-15, which had a vastly improved amplifier, and sold
for significantly less money than its predecessor.
The 12-25 was produced during the first three quarters of 1927. It sold for $625.00,
which equates to approximately $12,000.00 in today's money. The cabinet used a
mahogany veneer. A total of 2,400 of these
phonographs were made, making it a rare model.
The cost and complexity of repair of these
machines limits the current market valuation.
The current survival database shows the earliest existent 12-25 to be S/N 525 and the latest to be S/N 1944.
Do you own a Victor 12-25? Please take a moment and enter some basic information about your machine into the collector's database by clicking here. No personal information is required.