Hmv 2208 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dorian27 · 15th Mar 2019, 7:19 pm

Can any one please tell me are these machines good machines I am thinking of getting one in full working. Condition

dazzlevision · 15th Mar 2019, 7:35 pm

This is good valve, mono, three speed, four track machine, using the Thorn DC43 tape deck. It was aimed at the upper end of domestic users and cost around 44 Guineas when new (although it's not in the same league as Revox or Ferrograph machines costing a lot more).

The deck is well designed and gives little trouble. A plus point is that it only uses one belt, for tape counter drive. All other drive is by "rubber" idlers and these don't give any trouble in my experience (and I've refurbished quite a few by now).

The electronics is better than typical "budget" domestic machines, with a separate erase oscillator, allowing the monitoring of signals being recorded (not off-tape though, as this is a two head machine: erase and combined record/play).

The usual problem with this deck is dried out grease on the "swivelling" idler arm that couples the capstan flywheel to the motor pulley.

Radio Wrangler · 15th Mar 2019, 7:47 pm

One question 'what do you intend to do with it?' is needed to define what is good.

David

Dorian27 · 15th Mar 2019, 8:01 pm

Just general listening to tapes I have that's all really

dazzlevision · 15th Mar 2019, 8:41 pm

Well, as the HMV 2208 is a four track, three speed machine, it should play back most domestically recorded mono tapes. If you have stereo prerecorded tapes (available instead of LP records in the days before cassette tapes), then you would need a full stereo machine.

Dorian27 · 15th Mar 2019, 11:13 pm

No just mono thank you very much for all the info

dazzlevision · 16th Mar 2019, 11:12 am

A detailed and favourable technical review of this model can be found here:https://www.americanradiohistory.com...nd-1967-07.pdf

Starts at page 298.

15th Mar 2019, 7:19 pm	#1
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Hmv 2208 Can any one please tell me are these machines good machines I am thinking of getting one in full working. Condition

15th Mar 2019, 7:35 pm	#2
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,609	Re: Hmv 2208 This is good valve, mono, three speed, four track machine, using the Thorn DC43 tape deck. It was aimed at the upper end of domestic users and cost around 44 Guineas when new (although it's not in the same league as Revox or Ferrograph machines costing a lot more). The deck is well designed and gives little trouble. A plus point is that it only uses one belt, for tape counter drive. All other drive is by "rubber" idlers and these don't give any trouble in my experience (and I've refurbished quite a few by now). The electronics is better than typical "budget" domestic machines, with a separate erase oscillator, allowing the monitoring of signals being recorded (not off-tape though, as this is a two head machine: erase and combined record/play). The usual problem with this deck is dried out grease on the "swivelling" idler arm that couples the capstan flywheel to the motor pulley. Attached Thumbnails

15th Mar 2019, 7:47 pm	#3
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,867	Re: Hmv 2208 One question 'what do you intend to do with it?' is needed to define what is good. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

15th Mar 2019, 8:01 pm	#4
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Re: Hmv 2208 Just general listening to tapes I have that's all really

15th Mar 2019, 8:41 pm	#5
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,609	Re: Hmv 2208 Well, as the HMV 2208 is a four track, three speed machine, it should play back most domestically recorded mono tapes. If you have stereo prerecorded tapes (available instead of LP records in the days before cassette tapes), then you would need a full stereo machine.

15th Mar 2019, 11:13 pm	#6
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Re: Hmv 2208 No just mono thank you very much for all the info

16th Mar 2019, 11:12 am	#7
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,609	Re: Hmv 2208 A detailed and favourable technical review of this model can be found here:https://www.americanradiohistory.com...nd-1967-07.pdf Starts at page 298.