Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1202 (1972–1974)

At 9kg and just 120mm tall, it is a slab of Danish minimalism with a full-auto mechanism inside.

Overview

The Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1202 isn't the flashiest turntable in the lineup. It was built to stay out of the way until you need it. Released between 1972 and 1974 and made in Denmark, this full-auto record player was built for elegance and precision. It weighs 9kg and measures 440mm wide, 330mm deep, and a slim 120mm in height, which suited the low-slung furniture of its era. Despite the compact size, it plays 33 and 45rpm and handles 30cm, 25cm, and 17cm records with a single control knob. That was a rare convenience at the time.

Wow and flutter is not more than 0.015%, which is tight. It draws only 10W. The tonearm is full-auto, so it lifts, returns, and parks itself without help, and it has a built-in mechanism said to prevent skidding during automatic operation.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Bang & Olufsen
Model	Beogram 1202
Type	Full-auto type record player
Years of manufacture	1972–1974
Made in	Denmark
Original price	¥ 89,000 (around 1973)
Drive system	Belt idler drive system
Motor	Synchronous AC motor
Wow flutter	Not more than 0.015%
Tone arm	Full auto
Number of revolutions	33/45rpm
Cartridge	MMC Type (SP14)
Power consumption	10W
External dimensions	Width 440x Height 120x Depth 330 mm
Weight	9kg
Record size	30 cm, 25 cm and 17 cm
Frequency range	20–30,000 Hz
Harmonic distortion	less than 0.5 % at maximum output
Signal-to-noise ratio	better than 50 dB

Key Features

Single-Control Record Selection

A full-auto type record player, the Beogram 1202 lets you select both record size and speed with just one control. No toggles, no secondary dials. You turn the knob and the system knows what to do.

Full-Auto Tonearm with Anti-Skid Mechanism

The tonearm is a full-auto design with a built-in automatic adjustment device that reportedly prevents skidding. It moves up and down automatically during operation and parks itself when playback ends.

MMC (Moving Micro Cross) Cartridge System

The SP14 cartridge employs the MMC (Moving Micro Cross) system,

Decoupled Chassis and Floating Turntable

Inside the cabinet, the tonearm is fixed while the chassis is separated from the main structure. This is a floating turntable design, and it minimizes needle skipping caused by external vibrations. There are no rubber feet or suspension towers. The moving parts are simply separated from the housing.

Historical Context

Though visually similar to the earlier Beogram 1200, the Beogram 1202 was an entirely new model with internal refinements and updated engineering. It belongs to the same series as the Beogram 3000 and Beogram 4000, within Bang & Olufsen's turntable lineup of the early 1970s.

Collectibility & Value

Market data is sparse, but available listings show a wide range. A used example was listed for 2,600 kr (2,080 kr ex. VAT) on a Norwegian retail site, while another sold at auction for £16, a figure likely reflecting condition or completeness. Another used unit appeared on an online marketplace priced at £94.30. Value depends heavily on working order, originality, and presence of the SP14 cartridge.