The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

[Steve]

The "a" suffix denotes the de luxe version with the weight adjuster, not present on the example pictured, and autobrake.

Got it. Many thanks for clearing this up. It seems Perophone was as good at creating multiple versions of models as HMV!

[Steve]

Well, as of yesterday, I am now also the owner of Alastair's MP22! Whilst the journey to collect it certainly wasn't as epic as the journey he and Roger had collecting the MP30 back in 2012 (which I now own), I did manage to get caught on the M5 yesterday afternoon on the journey home when a lorry hit the central reservation near Stroud and spilt diesel everywhere causing a 3 hour delay!

If I had the room to right the gramophone in the back of the car, I could have happily entertained the frustrated motorists all stranded in the M5 "car-park". Just imagine being serenaded by a gramophone in the fast lane.

[Steve]

Incidentally, and just to put the record straight, this MP22 has had a replacement grille fret and cloth so this is why Alastair had never seen another one identical to it! For some reason that we will never know, a fairly decent quality grille has been made with "chevron" styling to replace the original.

[epigramophone]

This was the first Chromogram Alastair and I had ever seen, other than in pictures. We collected it from Oxfordshire in 2009, and I was sufficiently impressed with it to want one of my own. I had to wait over a year before my MP23 came up for sale in Bristol.

[Steve]

This was the first Chromogram Alastair and I had ever seen, other than in pictures. We collected it from Oxfordshire in 2009, and I was sufficiently impressed with it to want one of my own. I had to wait over a year before my MP23 came up for sale in Bristol.

Yes, I understand it came from Nigel Phillips who subsequently found another example with original grille not long after for £0.99p! Has anyone heard from Nigel recently, I hope he's still doing well?

I have to agree that they are a "best kept secret" amongst British collectors. I haven't compared either the MP30 or MP22 to my Decca Salon 72 yet or Apollo Super 9, which are both favourites, ignoring the late HMV / EMG family models in my collection, but they are extremely good players with an even tone, good bass, and a well rounded reproduction. At the price they sell for they are all bargains. Alternatively, for the same money you could buy a third of an Edison Gem; I know which option I prefer.

[poodling around]

Well, as of yesterday, I am now also the owner of Alastair's MP22! Whilst the journey to collect it certainly wasn't as epic as the journey he and Roger had collecting the MP30 back in 2012 (which I now own), I did manage to get caught on the M5 yesterday afternoon on the journey home when a lorry hit the central reservation near Stroud and spilt diesel everywhere causing a 3 hour delay!

If I had the room to right the gramophone in the back of the car, I could have happily entertained the frustrated motorists all stranded in the M5 "car-park". Just imagine being serenaded by a gramophone in the fast lane.

Good for you.

As far as my floor standing gramophones are concerned the MP22 is the 'pride of the fleet' !

It looks really nice too, beautiful wood (Fine, solid Honduras mahogany cabinet etc - the gold standard for high-end woodworking), great construction and of course amazing sound.

[Steve]

Well, as of yesterday, I am now also the owner of Alastair's MP22! Whilst the journey to collect it certainly wasn't as epic as the journey he and Roger had collecting the MP30 back in 2012 (which I now own), I did manage to get caught on the M5 yesterday afternoon on the journey home when a lorry hit the central reservation near Stroud and spilt diesel everywhere causing a 3 hour delay!

If I had the room to right the gramophone in the back of the car, I could have happily entertained the frustrated motorists all stranded in the M5 "car-park". Just imagine being serenaded by a gramophone in the fast lane.

Good for you.

As far as my floor standing gramophones are concerned the MP22 is the 'pride of the fleet' !

It looks really nice too, beautiful wood (Fine, solid Honduras mahogany cabinet etc - the gold standard for high-end woodworking), great construction and of course amazing sound.

Good to know. Where did you find yours?

Has your MP22 got a bottom to it or can you see the underside of horn from the base? Alastair wasn't sure if it should have one but added one anyway, just to stop his cat from getting inside!

[poodling around]

Well, as of yesterday, I am now also the owner of Alastair's MP22! Whilst the journey to collect it certainly wasn't as epic as the journey he and Roger had collecting the MP30 back in 2012 (which I now own), I did manage to get caught on the M5 yesterday afternoon on the journey home when a lorry hit the central reservation near Stroud and spilt diesel everywhere causing a 3 hour delay!

If I had the room to right the gramophone in the back of the car, I could have happily entertained the frustrated motorists all stranded in the M5 "car-park". Just imagine being serenaded by a gramophone in the fast lane.

Good for you.

As far as my floor standing gramophones are concerned the MP22 is the 'pride of the fleet' !

It looks really nice too, beautiful wood (Fine, solid Honduras mahogany cabinet etc - the gold standard for high-end woodworking), great construction and of course amazing sound.

Good to know. Where did you find yours?

Has your MP22 got a bottom to it or can you see the underside of horn from the base? Alastair wasn't sure if it should have one but added one anyway, just to stop his cat from getting inside!

I bought it from ebay some time ago - a real bargain I thought.

It does have a bottom to it - photograph below.

The photograph isn't great but it shows that the screws seem to be in odd places to me ?

I guess that yours has the triple spring Thorens motor ?

Does it have the Micro-Perophone sound-box ? (What is 'free edge suspension ?).

Happy days always !

[epigramophone]

I believe that Alastair may still be in touch with Nigel Phillips, and I do know that he has moved from his Witney address.

[Steve]

Good for you.

As far as my floor standing gramophones are concerned the MP22 is the 'pride of the fleet' !

It looks really nice too, beautiful wood (Fine, solid Honduras mahogany cabinet etc - the gold standard for high-end woodworking), great construction and of course amazing sound.

Good to know. Where did you find yours?

Has your MP22 got a bottom to it or can you see the underside of horn from the base? Alastair wasn't sure if it should have one but added one anyway, just to stop his cat from getting inside!

I bought it from ebay some time ago - a real bargain I thought.

It does have a bottom to it - photograph below.

The photograph isn't great but it shows that the screws seem to be in odd places to me ?

I guess that yours has the triple spring Thorens motor ?

Does it have the Micro-Perophone sound-box ? (What is 'free edge suspension ?).

Happy days always !

No idea what a free edge suspension is, maybe they suspended someone's free edge? My 22 came with two Micro-Perophone soundboxes and it is fitted with the standard double spring Garrard motor, the same as yours, I presume?

Thank you for the photo. I will resist the urge to remove the DIY base from mine now!

I will look out for a "scrap" MP22 to cannibalise for its original grille though, unless a good machine comes along at a reasonable price, in which case this one will be for sale again. I'm not sure why the previous owner thought it was original. I did ask if he was completely satisfied that it was but didn't receive a response to the question in time, before I'd gone to visit.