AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Vinyl Circle => Topic started by: nature boy on 30 Sep 2019, 10:55 am

Title: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: nature boy on 30 Sep 2019, 10:55 am
A friend of mine just received a gift of a Philips GA212 turntable. It's a "brand new" (1972), never used nee in box unit. No cartridge is included.

He is thinking about selling it. Can any of you classic turntable gurus give me an idea about value of this turntable (perfect working and physical condition)?

If he decides to keep it, what caridge would you recommend?

Thanks for your insights.

NB
Title: Re: Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: Phil_S on 30 Sep 2019, 11:37 am
NIB after 45 years is problematic.  In order to put it in working order, the belt will have to be replaced at a minimum.  I'd be suspicious of the capacitors and other electronic parts that may degrade over time.  The original packaging is not  100% air tight so everything will need inspection and possibly cleaned.  Because it's not in running order I wouldn't want to touch it for more than 100, too many unknowns.
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: S Clark on 30 Sep 2019, 01:03 pm
I'd agree that I wouldn't give much over $100.  If I were selling, I might try to get $160-200 since people will pay extra for "new" in the box, but I'd take less. 
If he keeps it, I'd clean all the moving parts and reapply grease and oil.  Make sure the motor bearings and the platter bearing have fresh oil.  A new belt is likely needed.  It looks like a decent mid fi table of the day. 
Cartridge?  What's the budget?  Maybe an Ortofon Red?
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: Elizabeth on 30 Sep 2019, 01:07 pm
Googling the TT it had good reviews. Sales seem to be asking up to $200, and sales in the $150 to $100 range.
New in box does not mean it was not used. Just that someone kept the box , and was able to make it LOOK LIKE new. One trick is to open the bottom of the box originally. and then it looks way more like the box (top) was never opened. (I know a dealer who uses this trick for demo equipment).
As a keeper, a cart in the $100 to $200 range would be suitable
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: Letitroll98 on 30 Sep 2019, 01:33 pm
There's one for sale on eBay for $225, a cleaned up used example.  Belts appear to be easily available, another site says replace the 470uF cap.  The arm is a very low mass design so you'd want a high compliance cartridge to pair with it, which is not the Ortofon Red.  As a NIB example is unobtainium I'd try for significantly more than the average price.  Also note that it's a suspended sub chassis design that may sound much nicer than the ubiquitous non suspended designs of today.
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: nature boy on 30 Sep 2019, 01:57 pm
Thanks folks, all very helpful.

NB
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: walkern on 30 Sep 2019, 02:49 pm
If the unit is 'new, in box' but the box is actually opened I suggest your friend plug the table in and check to see if the on/off and speed change buttons work.  Either or both of those buttons tended to fail after a while in the GA 212s, and they were tricky to fix.
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: yeldarb on 3 Oct 2019, 07:04 pm
The switches are capacitor controlled.  But neat!  I owned one, back in the 80's.  Sold it because it needed an absolute rock solid shelf and floor.  Just walking in the house made the suspension move in harmony and kick the arm off.  If you have a concrete floor you might love it.  I had a Pickering back in the day.  4500 I think.
Title: Re: Vintage Philips GA212 Turntable Mint, New In Box Valuation?
Post by: Audiopro on 4 Oct 2019, 01:02 am
If it is really new in box, there should be two headshells. One is for the original cartridge that snapped in, the other is for a standard thread mount cartridge.
I know this because I've owned a 212 since new, and still have the original Philips cartridge that came with it.
It is still in use in my workshop.

I used it for years with an AKG P7E cartridge. The compliance of that cartridge was ideal for the arm.