Phillips receivers
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Brian
An Old Geezer
If talking of the Lab Sereies the 797/7971 and 787/7871 are the highest powered at 60 watts rms FTC. They are essentially the same internally but the 787/7871 has adjustable phono level while the 797/7971 does not. These seems to be little literature on the 79x series and from the 785 I havem I think the 78x series may have been targeting a slightly higher price point than the 79 series but, not sure. Both show cost contraints on the outside but none on the inside.
I have the 797, 786 (45 watts per channel) and, 785 receivers and like them very much. The 785 seems to be the most common if tracking the auction site. It goes up against the Sony STR-6045 and the results are mixed. Sony's sound is more muted, less detailed and more authoritative than the 785 but, in the loos department maintains the quality and looks of its bigger brothers. It does not seem tohave the same voicing as the bigger units to its disadvantage. The 785 voicing is close to the larger brothers. I almost wish I could do a tansplant of the Philips guts into the STR6045 chassis and cabinet.
I have the Sony STR-6120 and it goes head to head with the 797 and again a tossup. The sonic differences are about the same but the detail an speed of the Sony is far better than the STR-6045. An entirely different rendition than the 797 and both sound great and right. The internals of the Sony are 1st rate but it is a far more complex receiver as to design and build while the Philips is better laid out for repairs, if needed.
As to which model I prefer, as they sound so close where many times a smaller model sounds better than a larger, in this case I'd opt for the 797 that was the totl especially since the price differential between the 2 is not that much. The 785 though is more common and considering the costs, if one come up, grab it.
The STR-6065 and the 786 go head to head with similar results.
The Philips are much newer than the Sonys I have but the STR-6120 and STR-6045 have been gone through by techs I respect so age is less of an issue. The STR-6065 I've owned longer than any other receiver and I've always liked it. It does need some tlc now, scratchy when tuning, lights out and meter is jumpy. My son does want me to get it fixed as he used it for some time and though he likes the Sherwood that replaced it in his system, he likes the Sony better as it looks "more serious" as a receiver.
I finally gave up and decided that rather than decide which is better just, to keep both the Sonys and Philips and enjoy them. But, it also means I tend to keep switching them back and forth. I do have a tie breaker in the Sherwood S9500c and S3300 integrated amp and tuner so, not in such a confused state that I lose sleep.
The Philips going prices are still less than the equiv. Sonys so getting one and having a tech confirm it is working to spec can still be less than the Sony purchase alone so from a dollar to listening pleasure ratio, the Philips can be the better unit to go after.
The STR-6120 and 897 are physically quite large, right up there with far more powerful receivers so if space is an issue, move to the 785 and STR-6045 that have smaller footprints.
I have the 797, 786 (45 watts per channel) and, 785 receivers and like them very much. The 785 seems to be the most common if tracking the auction site. It goes up against the Sony STR-6045 and the results are mixed. Sony's sound is more muted, less detailed and more authoritative than the 785 but, in the loos department maintains the quality and looks of its bigger brothers. It does not seem tohave the same voicing as the bigger units to its disadvantage. The 785 voicing is close to the larger brothers. I almost wish I could do a tansplant of the Philips guts into the STR6045 chassis and cabinet.
I have the Sony STR-6120 and it goes head to head with the 797 and again a tossup. The sonic differences are about the same but the detail an speed of the Sony is far better than the STR-6045. An entirely different rendition than the 797 and both sound great and right. The internals of the Sony are 1st rate but it is a far more complex receiver as to design and build while the Philips is better laid out for repairs, if needed.
As to which model I prefer, as they sound so close where many times a smaller model sounds better than a larger, in this case I'd opt for the 797 that was the totl especially since the price differential between the 2 is not that much. The 785 though is more common and considering the costs, if one come up, grab it.
The STR-6065 and the 786 go head to head with similar results.
The Philips are much newer than the Sonys I have but the STR-6120 and STR-6045 have been gone through by techs I respect so age is less of an issue. The STR-6065 I've owned longer than any other receiver and I've always liked it. It does need some tlc now, scratchy when tuning, lights out and meter is jumpy. My son does want me to get it fixed as he used it for some time and though he likes the Sherwood that replaced it in his system, he likes the Sony better as it looks "more serious" as a receiver.
I finally gave up and decided that rather than decide which is better just, to keep both the Sonys and Philips and enjoy them. But, it also means I tend to keep switching them back and forth. I do have a tie breaker in the Sherwood S9500c and S3300 integrated amp and tuner so, not in such a confused state that I lose sleep.
The Philips going prices are still less than the equiv. Sonys so getting one and having a tech confirm it is working to spec can still be less than the Sony purchase alone so from a dollar to listening pleasure ratio, the Philips can be the better unit to go after.
The STR-6120 and 897 are physically quite large, right up there with far more powerful receivers so if space is an issue, move to the 785 and STR-6045 that have smaller footprints.
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Brian
An Old Geezer
I liked the GA212 when we were selling them. A big step up from the AR and I liked it batter than almost all the Japanese tables that at the time has higher mass arms. The suspension is almost a knockoff of the AR so setup is about the same as to difficulty. It was one of the only econo tables that could track the totl cartridges from the makers. Something like the Pioneer PL-41 that was similarly priced could not. The only pain is the lights on the capacitive buttons. Does not affect operation but, most owners want the little lights to light up. I think they are replacing them with LEDs now.
The later GA312 is a remake of the 212 and Philips did some cost cutting. It seems that performance was not compromised but in the spec and looks department it turns me off; I'd have preferred it to just be slotted in below the GA212. There was also the GA477, think that was the model. It was a step up from the 212 and while the arm did not look like it would be better, the table did actually outperform the 212. However, to get the best out of it (as well as the 212), some Dyhnamat could noticably improve the sound. The 477, was targeting the higher level tables and as usual, Philips had a good design but for whatever reason decided that cost cutting on the outside would not affect sales. The 477 tanked in sales from the beginning and hence are rare but, well worth getting and doing some mods on.
I've not owned one, just sold many dozens of them. My tables are Thorens and Empiress.
The later GA312 is a remake of the 212 and Philips did some cost cutting. It seems that performance was not compromised but in the spec and looks department it turns me off; I'd have preferred it to just be slotted in below the GA212. There was also the GA477, think that was the model. It was a step up from the 212 and while the arm did not look like it would be better, the table did actually outperform the 212. However, to get the best out of it (as well as the 212), some Dyhnamat could noticably improve the sound. The 477, was targeting the higher level tables and as usual, Philips had a good design but for whatever reason decided that cost cutting on the outside would not affect sales. The 477 tanked in sales from the beginning and hence are rare but, well worth getting and doing some mods on.
I've not owned one, just sold many dozens of them. My tables are Thorens and Empiress.
Oilmaster
Sonycus Peritum
I know some of you have the vintage Phillips receivers and really like them. I think I'll pick one up as well. What is your favorite model? What model has highest WPC
The lab series were initially only for the North American market, for which Philips bought an existing US audio company (forgot the name). Not many of the lab series were sold here in Europe (if ever, I think the few ones seen here were purchased in the US an brought back).
However, we had the so-seventies 'fish eye' models from Philips in Holland, and of course most of them where meant for quadraphonic use and Philips' famous MFB speakers...
Couple of my favourites (note the touch control buttons in the first two):
- 22RH832 (scroll down in link for detailed pics)
- 22RH720
- and a couple of associated amps: 22RH521, 22RH561
Most of these units all had the same output stage: the first 10 watt in Class A, then smoothly into Class AB. And because the volume is often reasonable down when listening to the radio, they just sound so nice.
I have most of the above units in store for future rebuild :yes:
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I owned two of probably the biggest receivers from Philips ever, made in the 70's/early 80's. The first was an 22AH798, nice design and quite high tech those years.
The real deal was the 22AH708, the European version has the max power consumption rated at 730W, the amp itself was 90WPC/8R.
It's a real sleeper: when you looked at it's rear you'd probably say: "What kind of cheap-a$$ thing is this" but it certainly wasn't, it was very heavy (around 15kg) and fully packed with parts, just take a look at the guts:
The real deal was the 22AH708, the European version has the max power consumption rated at 730W, the amp itself was 90WPC/8R.
It's a real sleeper: when you looked at it's rear you'd probably say: "What kind of cheap-a$$ thing is this" but it certainly wasn't, it was very heavy (around 15kg) and fully packed with parts, just take a look at the guts:
melofelo
Addicted Member
The lab series were initially only for the North American market, for which Philips bought an existing US audio company (forgot the name). Not many of the lab series were sold here in Europe (if ever, I think the few ones seen here were purchased in the US an brought back).
However, we had the so-seventies 'fish eye' models from Philips in Holland, and of course most of them where meant for quadraphonic use and Philips' famous MFB speakers...
Couple of my favourites (note the touch control buttons in the first two):
- 22RH832 (scroll down in link for detailed pics)
- 22RH720
- and a couple of associated amps: 22RH521, 22RH561
Most of these units all had the same output stage: the first 10 watt in Class A, then smoothly into Class AB. And because the volume is often reasonable down when listening to the radio, they just sound so nice.
I have most of the above units in store for future rebuild :yes:
that's some nice looking philips right there..:thmbsp: I've never wanted a console until i saw that pic..it's a beauty!
Hey Brian that's my mistake. I meant what do you think of the phillips receiver performance with a turntable?
The lab series were initially only for the North American market, for which Philips bought an existing US audio company (forgot the name). Not many of the lab series were sold here in Europe (if ever, I think the few ones seen here were purchased in the US an brought back).
However, we had the so-seventies 'fish eye' models from Philips in Holland, and of course most of them where meant for quadraphonic use and Philips' famous MFB speakers...
Couple of my favourites (note the touch control buttons in the first two):
- 22RH832 (scroll down in link for detailed pics)
- 22RH720
- and a couple of associated amps: 22RH521, 22RH561
Most of these units all had the same output stage: the first 10 watt in Class A, then smoothly into Class AB. And because the volume is often reasonable down when listening to the radio, they just sound so nice.
I have most of the above units in store for future rebuild :yes:[/QUOTE
Wow that's some cool looking stuff. I really like those "Bubble" meters
Brian
An Old Geezer
The phono preamp section of each of the Philips receivers and the separates preamp seems very good. I've not measured them but I suspect the 47k load is very close as most of my cartrdges are optimized for it and I have some units they do not saound as good with. Between the models, I hear little if any difference so possibly the circuits are similar or the same. I found more variance in sound between the Sonys and some others I've had multiple models with.
I use an ADC, Pickering and, my gosh can not remember the third but it is neither.
Hard to compare as I have not taken the tape out to a single amp to compare the phono sections except for short times and have not done it with the Philips against any others. I subjective testing, the Sony STR6120 and 6060s were the only really potential challengers. I did not compare it to the Sherwood SEL as the SEL needed recapping. It might be the contender as the S9500c phono preamp is really good but again, I've not done a shootout.
The 787 has phono level controls. Not sure if they impact the loading or not and the 797 does not have them. I've wanted to get the 787 but never found onw for sale. Not even sure it really exisrs in other than the brochures.
I use an ADC, Pickering and, my gosh can not remember the third but it is neither.
Hard to compare as I have not taken the tape out to a single amp to compare the phono sections except for short times and have not done it with the Philips against any others. I subjective testing, the Sony STR6120 and 6060s were the only really potential challengers. I did not compare it to the Sherwood SEL as the SEL needed recapping. It might be the contender as the S9500c phono preamp is really good but again, I've not done a shootout.
The 787 has phono level controls. Not sure if they impact the loading or not and the 797 does not have them. I've wanted to get the 787 but never found onw for sale. Not even sure it really exisrs in other than the brochures.
Kneedeepinit
Super Member
I have one so they exist. It was my first unusual purchase when I started collecting electronics a few years ago.
It sounds very nice. I have never used it with a turntable.
Brian
An Old Geezer
So, they do exist. I can strike that off the possible myth lost. Next up is Bigfoot. Shame you are way out west; I'd love to do a side by side of the 787 to the 797. I did not do a close exam of the 787 sm against the 797 other than noting the layout and boards are the same as well as the filters. I can only wonder if maybe the power transformer could be different in 1 to have slightly more current or voltage. Still have not been able to figure out why the company packaged the same units slightly differently and had the 78 and 79 series at the same time and I would guess at the same price points.
There is a 7800. A couple has shown up for sale but no 7900 in the catalog or any reference to it. The 7800 is 15 watts so designed for the entry level market. I wonder if the 79 series was marketed to the audio specialty stores and the 78 series to mass market outlets or vice versa. Does not make sense to me, though.
There is a 7800. A couple has shown up for sale but no 7900 in the catalog or any reference to it. The 7800 is 15 watts so designed for the entry level market. I wonder if the 79 series was marketed to the audio specialty stores and the 78 series to mass market outlets or vice versa. Does not make sense to me, though.
Hey Brian,
Good to see the Phillips discussion resurrected! I'm gonna get one one of these days, but enjoying the Lafayette for now.
reggaenaut
Addicted Member
I owned two of probably the biggest receivers from Philips ever, made in the 70's/early 80's. The first was an 22AH798, nice design and quite high tech those years.
The real deal was the 22AH708, the European version has the max power consumption rated at 730W, the amp itself was 90WPC/8R.
It's a real sleeper: when you looked at it's rear you'd probably say: "What kind of cheap-a$$ thing is this" but it certainly wasn't, it was very heavy (around 15kg) and fully packed with parts, just take a look at the guts:
This one is a looker!
scottstevens
Well-Known Member
That last one looks great! Made of unobtanium in these parts no doubt!
sanyofreak
Active Member
Here ya go Brian, not only did they make them, and I have one, but how about the real Sasquatch.........New In Box!!!
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Brian
An Old Geezer
Only one word come to mind - D R O O L !!!!!!!!! At my age better than that activity that begins with s. Well, maybe maybe close to it. I admit, I have a thing for these Philips receivers. So clean inside and nicely made provided you ignore the outside that should have have $15 more invested in it to make it visually competitive.
