Philips 202 turntable parts - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

suebutcher · 19th Apr 2014, 1:00 am

Currently I'm using a Philips GA 202 Electronic as my main turntable, and I'd like to stock up on spares for it. These seem to be in short supply. Are any of the important bits like the motor interchangable with the GA 212? Or the plug-in headshell?

Nickthedentist · 19th Apr 2014, 8:26 am

Headshell - yes, AFAIK.

Not sure about the motor but it may well be. I can find out the 212/312 part number if you want to compare.

Superb sounding machines!

suebutcher · 19th Apr 2014, 11:25 am

Please do, Nick. I'll compare the numbers. I used to have a Thorens, but I needed a high quality machine that could play 33s, 45s and 78s. The only bad thing about the 202 is the lid support that keeps breaking because you have to push it back before attempting to close the top. Mine's been broken three times now! I suppose if I can't find spares, I'll buy a Lenco L75 as a standby in case the 202 dies. Plenty of spares for those.

suebutcher · 8th May 2014, 6:15 am

Problem solved, I've found another parts GA 202 on Ebay. This one has a problem with the stop-start buttons. In this case it won't stop. If it's like my original, one of the transistors in the control circuit will have developed an internal whisker causing a short to ground via the heatsink. The fix is easy; mount the control board on nylon screws and washers.

unitaudio · 8th May 2014, 11:24 am

That's a nice bit of lateral thinking! And no need to break out the soldering iron. Live and learn, eh?

Regards,
Paul

D_S_J_R · 10th May 2014, 8:40 pm

I remember the 212 with great fondness, despite the usual 'Philips' way of construction - take a great design and make it with the most rubbish bits possible to save some money. I remember seeing the plinth 'held together' with sticky tape (from memory) and the tonearm 'bearings' were worse than a cheap Garrard or BSR, yet this deck worked so well and sounded fantastic with the right cartridge fitted..

Different subject, but Philips did the same with a VHS mechanism or two many years later - the 'Charlie' one being a classic, horrible thing to operate and listen to loading/unloading, but with a good picture and sound nonetheless!

Nickthedentist · 10th May 2014, 11:00 pm

Agree with you on the 212/312. Super design, flimsy construction. But they work superbly and never go wrong, so hats off to Philips.

suebutcher · 27th May 2014, 3:39 am

The construction of the GA 202 could be a bit stronger, too. But it's very pretty! Most manufacturers would give you painted chipboard and exposed screw heads at the back of the plinth, but being Philips it's brushed aluminium and veneered wood all round, with very neat looking hinges for the cover.

19th Apr 2014, 1:00 am	#1
suebutcher Heptode Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Daylesford, Victoria, Australia Posts: 675	Philips 202 turntable parts Currently I'm using a Philips GA 202 Electronic as my main turntable, and I'd like to stock up on spares for it. These seem to be in short supply. Are any of the important bits like the motor interchangable with the GA 212? Or the plug-in headshell?

19th Apr 2014, 8:26 am	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,865	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts Headshell - yes, AFAIK. Not sure about the motor but it may well be. I can find out the 212/312 part number if you want to compare. Superb sounding machines!

19th Apr 2014, 11:25 am	#3
suebutcher Heptode Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Daylesford, Victoria, Australia Posts: 675	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts Please do, Nick. I'll compare the numbers. I used to have a Thorens, but I needed a high quality machine that could play 33s, 45s and 78s. The only bad thing about the 202 is the lid support that keeps breaking because you have to push it back before attempting to close the top. Mine's been broken three times now! I suppose if I can't find spares, I'll buy a Lenco L75 as a standby in case the 202 dies. Plenty of spares for those.

8th May 2014, 6:15 am	#4
suebutcher Heptode Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Daylesford, Victoria, Australia Posts: 675	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts Problem solved, I've found another parts GA 202 on Ebay. This one has a problem with the stop-start buttons. In this case it won't stop. If it's like my original, one of the transistors in the control circuit will have developed an internal whisker causing a short to ground via the heatsink. The fix is easy; mount the control board on nylon screws and washers.

8th May 2014, 11:24 am	#5
unitaudio Heptode Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 862	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts That's a nice bit of lateral thinking! And no need to break out the soldering iron. Live and learn, eh? Regards, Paul __________________ ...No, it's not supposed to pick up the World Service, it's not a radio!

10th May 2014, 8:40 pm	#6
D_S_J_R Heptode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Suffolk Coastal, UK. Posts: 603	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts I remember the 212 with great fondness, despite the usual 'Philips' way of construction - take a great design and make it with the most rubbish bits possible to save some money. I remember seeing the plinth 'held together' with sticky tape (from memory) and the tonearm 'bearings' were worse than a cheap Garrard or BSR, yet this deck worked so well and sounded fantastic with the right cartridge fitted.. Different subject, but Philips did the same with a VHS mechanism or two many years later - the 'Charlie' one being a classic, horrible thing to operate and listen to loading/unloading, but with a good picture and sound nonetheless! __________________ Best wishes, Dave

10th May 2014, 11:00 pm	#7
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,865	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts Agree with you on the 212/312. Super design, flimsy construction. But they work superbly and never go wrong, so hats off to Philips.

27th May 2014, 3:39 am	#8
suebutcher Heptode Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Daylesford, Victoria, Australia Posts: 675	Re: Philips 202 turntable parts The construction of the GA 202 could be a bit stronger, too. But it's very pretty! Most manufacturers would give you painted chipboard and exposed screw heads at the back of the plinth, but being Philips it's brushed aluminium and veneered wood all round, with very neat looking hinges for the cover.