CARVERWATTS
New Member
anyone have any thoughts on a Phillips 212 turntable? I was given one that is in great shape but dont know much about it.:sigh:
phillips 212
- Thread starter CARVERWATTS
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Hi, you can find documentation here :
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/philips/ga-212.shtml?destination=node/1691
Jacques
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/philips/ga-212.shtml?destination=node/1691
Jacques
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
Extremely popular when and where I came from. I have two in the basement 
Well, I think one is a 312, but it's virtually identical. The 212/312 will get you into European suspended-subchassis, low-mass arm FG servo DC belt-drive tts at a fairly bargain price. Think of it as a budget Thorens, and you've got an idea of it.
Well, I think one is a 312, but it's virtually identical. The 212/312 will get you into European suspended-subchassis, low-mass arm FG servo DC belt-drive tts at a fairly bargain price. Think of it as a budget Thorens, and you've got an idea of it.
Brian
An Old Geezer
First thing to learn is that it is a Philips and not a Phillips. Second thing is that you have a pretty good table that when being sold new was almost untouchable on a dollar vs performance ratio and today is still one of the better tables, especially considering the price they generally go for now. A good cleaning, lube and a good cartridge and you'll discover why vinyl has such die-hard adherents.
ARJohn
Super Member
My first TT was a BSR , my 2and a 212 , my third a 312 , I still have the 312 and it was my only table until a month ago . Had a Thorens but sold it , was too bouncy and finicky . The Philips is imo the ultimate table as far as ease of use goes . Speed is solid , cueing works like a charm and it stops at the end of the record !!!!! My 212/312 must had 1000's of hours of use on them going back to '74 and preformed like champs . The 312 is spinning right now actually . Throw a decent cart on it and no worries mate !!
There are better tables for sure , but why can't someone come up with a higher end model that is as easy to use , I would line up for somethig like that .
http://cid-43944d23f1c630cc.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Phiilips 312 V15 IV.JPG
There are better tables for sure , but why can't someone come up with a higher end model that is as easy to use , I would line up for somethig like that .
http://cid-43944d23f1c630cc.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Phiilips 312 V15 IV.JPG
CARVERWATTS
New Member
I have embraced my 212 and love it each more every day….do any of you have any suggestions on a good cartridge to put in it? thanks again for the advice and feedback!!! Just got my Carver hooked up to it and it sounds pretty amazing.:thmbsp:
Jeff
Jeff
MAJ D
New Member
I picked mine up on eBay with a nice sounding green unknown cartridge for about 200 and I am very pleased. Blows away my new Music Hall US -1 manual with AudioTechnica Cart by a long margin. I am selling the Music Hall. Going for a two turntable input Marantz Receiver and plugging in a vintage British Connoisseur BD2/A Turntable Sugden England W/ Grado F-3+ !
The Connoisseur was the predecessor of the 212 in the excellent budget category.
The on/off switch is prone to failure, and if you have dry skin, you have to blow on your fingers to get them moist enough to turn the 212 on, and you can cavil at the vertical arm pivots, but it is a surprisingly good sounding table.
I didn't have a belt for one, so I made one out of RTR tape, and I have to say that it was even better sounding than with the rubber belt - isolation was compromised, but in some situatlions you can get away with it. That made me try a thread with my Micro Seiki FV 1500, and there, the change for the better was pretty unequivocal.
The on/off switch is prone to failure, and if you have dry skin, you have to blow on your fingers to get them moist enough to turn the 212 on, and you can cavil at the vertical arm pivots, but it is a surprisingly good sounding table.
I didn't have a belt for one, so I made one out of RTR tape, and I have to say that it was even better sounding than with the rubber belt - isolation was compromised, but in some situatlions you can get away with it. That made me try a thread with my Micro Seiki FV 1500, and there, the change for the better was pretty unequivocal.
I owned a 212 at one time. I love the fact it was tiny, by TT standards, almost toy like. Sounded great, no issues, but got replaced by a Lab-400 (which I regret selling to this day). Back in the days when used stuff was cheap, plentiful, and the name of the game was "flipping."
