Beogram 1200

The start of a long running range of entry-level turntables. Beogram 1200 was also part of the Beomaster 1200 based Beosystem 1200, the first “full system” of matching components to be offered by B&O. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Beogram 1200 itself is a striking design, simplicity and clean, pure forms predominate. A feature of particular interest is the platter, which supports the record by small plastic pegs a few millimetres off the surface. This allows the traditional rubber mat, as seen on the Beogram 1000, 1001 and 1800, to be dispensed with, leaving a platter with a very attractive metallic finish. The other parts were very similar to Beogram 1800, including the arm and the controls. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The drive system was of the idler/belt arrangement, but the governor disc of previous models was replaced by a slightly conical drive pulley in the motor. By turning a thumb wheel in the side of the machine it was possible to vary the speed by moving the idler up or down a little. A stroboscopic ring printed around the outside of the platter helped the user to set the speed up accurately. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Unlike Beogram 1000 and 1001, a degree of isolation was provided by a suspended subchassis. The suspension was by coil springs and rubber buffers, and whilst being more effective than the sprung plinth of the 1000, it was still too stiff to isolate the deck from large vibrations, making the 1200 far from “danceproof”. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

For those with old Beomasters such as 900s or non-B&O amplifiers, the Beogram 1200 could be fitted with a pre-amplifier, and this could simply be inserted in the bottom of the machine, with no further dismantling or adjustment being necessary. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Early series Beogram 1200s came with a thin smoked plastic removable lid with a very slightly domed top and a silver B&O badge in the middle, whilst the later ones came with much squarer, thicker lid with no badge. The platter, top plate and arm were always natural aluminium, but the surround could be ordered in teak, rosewood or white. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.