RCA Victor 8-TV-323combo unit
 

My parents have one with all the paperwork. It is a TV/Phono/AM&FM mono unit. Possibly fom 1948. Any info on it?

1948/1949 is correct.

Here is a picture of one on the TV History Web site:
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1949-RCA-8TV323-10in.JPG

Here was an Audiokarma discussion about one:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=60799

It seems to have the same TV chassis as the 8T241 and other models that have also been discussed here on AK.

The photo looks like a 9TW333. It has the 45rpm player under the lid. I have one... I wonder if that photo is mislabeled? The referral on the other thread doesn't mention the 45 player either...

Charles

You are referring to the photo here ( http://www.tvhistory.tv/1949-RCA-8TV323-10in.JPG ) , aren't you?

The one I see in that photo looks to have a changer much larger than a 45rpm unit.

The one in this photo is a 78rpm only changer with a bakelite base and small platter. This was the replacement they came up with to replace the scissor style changer they had previously. The ones they had after this were two speed VM's with separate 45 changer.
-Tony

That's what I thought. Weren't those the models that you had to crawl on the floor to use the 45rpm player, as it was mounted at the bottom of the unit?

No; the 45 was under the lid, and the 78 was below, in a pull-out drawer. Definitely the exact cabinet of the 9TW333! I wonder what's in the drawer on the one shown, since the changer is up above? Maybe no drawer, but an album storage compartment?

Charles

Gentlemen,

In the 1949-1951 years many a deluxe console had 2 changers. One for 78/ 33 1/3 RPM duty and a separate 45 RPM changer. One way you can easily date a post WW II console. Post 1952, 3 speed changers became more common.

RCA refused to manufacture 33 1/3 LP records or players until 1951, mainly due to the fact that they were losing sales and recording artists. Arturo Toscanini can be thanked for this wise decision. In 1951, his RCA Victor contract was up for a renewal. He was disgusted at Eugene Ormandy having uninterrupted symphonic works when his records were 45 RPM and 3 minute record changes.

Only when RCA gave in did the War Of The Speeds resolve to a Truce. RCA agreed to manufacture 33 1/3 RPM LP records, Columbia agreed to offer 45 RPM singles. Some history if long winded and pedantic. Related to your console as it dates from that period. If David Sarnoff had less Ego, we would have had this happen earlier. It decreased record sales in those years.