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VV 7-3 / VE 7-3 X

RARITY: ¤¤   VALUE:  ¤ 

The VV 7-3 was a popular early "home entertainment center" pairing a Victor Orthophonic (acoustic) phonograph with an RCA Radiola 20, which was at the time was their best "TRF" (Tuned Radio Frequency) set. The TRF was a significant advance in home radio designs, and provided exceptional performance without the need to adjust multiple dials to tune-in a radio station. The phonograph featured a two-spring motor and a small "folded" 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. 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". It was truly an exceptional performer when launched, but rapidly advancing technology quickly overtook this design. Since the newly-developed paper-cone speaker, which provided better sound (and eliminated the large mechanical switching valve) was beginning to become popular the following year, the 7-3 became obsolete shortly after it was introduced.
This Victrola could be ordered with either a spring powered phonograph (VV 7-3) or with an electric motor option (VE 7-3).  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 7-3 was introduced in the summer of 1926, and production ran for a few months and was discontinued when more advanced (and lower cost) radio/phono systems became available on the market.   It sold new for $375.00, which equates to approximately $5,500.00 in today's money. The electric motor was a $35.00 option.
Approximately 9,000 VV 7-3 consoles were produced in the second half of 1926, and 4,000 electric motor (VE 7-3) versions were made.  Since radio and electronic technology was developing so rapidly in the mid-1920's, the 7-3 became outdated very quickly, and many were sold at discount the following year.
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 7-3 to be s/n 555 and the latest to be s/n 7482

The earliest existent VV 7-3 to be s/n 701 and the latest to be s/n 3332

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