GA 212

About the GA 212

Manufactured between 1971 and 1976, the Philips GA 212 (also known as Philips 22 GA 212 Electronic) is a cult classic turntable renowned for its floating suspension of the platter and sub-chassis, which provides excellent shock protection and very low rumble. It features electronic speed control with a tacho-generator, photo-electronic off switch, and capacitive touch keys with green backlights. The turntable supports 33 and 45 RPM speeds with independent pitch adjustment of ±3% for each speed. The lightweight aluminum platter and suspended sub-chassis contribute to low rumble and minimal wow and flutter (0.1%). Originally equipped with a Philips GP400 MM cartridge, it can be upgraded to better cartridges such as the Audio-Technica AT-VM95E for improved sound quality. The tonearm is lightweight with limited adjustment but allows easy cartridge changes via a removable headshell. The GA 212 uses a belt drive with a servo control motor and electronic speed control for high stability and low noise. It has a compact size and weighs approximately 4.2 kg. The unit is praised for its excellent performance and sound quality, comparable to more expensive European suspended sub-chassis turntables of its era.