Question Philips 660 - How to connect?

[Rexanthony]

Hello fellow HiFi enthusiasts,

To get straight to the point:
I got a Philips 660 turntable from my parents and I want to know if it's possible to connect it to a 'modern' sound system?



I hope you can help me.

Best regards,
Rexanthony

 

[nads]

Nope.

 

[Al ears]

That's a turntable with amplification built in that came with matching speakers.
All sockets are DIN standard.
Not at all sure there is a facility to take a signal from the turntable alone to a modern amplifier

 

[Gray]

I want to know if it's possible to connect it to a 'modern' sound system?

Yes it is.
Edit: Sam found a service manual for you (see post #26. Ignore all posts before that).
POST # 28 is your solution.

 

[Jobb]

The tape recorder socket is also an output, so it should be possible.
Edit: just saw Gray's post after i gave mine.

 

[Al ears]

Yes it is.
Try this (available in 4 lengths up to 2 metres).
Plug it into the upper (tape) output, then connect to a line or 'aux' input of any modern amplifier.
You may need to have the amp volume control a bit higher than with other, 'modern' sources, but that's no problem:

Pardon our interruption...

If that doesn't work, try the lower socket (you can do no harm).
Let us know if neither work and whether you've got a soldering iron (as it's possible that a couple of wires might need to swap pins in the DIN plug).

Are you sure they are outputs and not inputs? The deck has an amplifier in it.
However, as Gray says there's one way to find out

 

[Gray]

Are you sure they are outputs and not inputs?

Those old DIN sockets can be in and outs at the same time.
My guess is that tape one is an output, but there's a slight chance that the DIN plug needs rewiring to make it work (as ready made leads are not as common).

 

[Al ears]

Those old DIN sockets

I know, one is tape the other tuner but are they output?
the Tuner would suggest they are inputs.

 

[Gray]

I know but are they output?

...I pressed 'post reply' prematurely by accident on my phone 🙄

 

[Gray]

I know, one is tape the other tuner but are they output?
the Tuner would suggest they are inputs.

Yes, one for a tuner will only be an input.

 

[Al ears]

Yes, one for a tuner will only be an input.

Then possibly they both are.....

 

[Al ears]

Hello fellow HiFi enthusiasts,

To get straight to the point:
I got a Philips 660 turntable from my parents and I want to know if it's possible to connect it to a 'modern' sound system?

View attachment 3480

I hope you can help me.

Best regards,
Rexanthony

Do your parents still have the manual?
The sockets on the back may be inputs only.

 

[Gray]

Do your parents still have the manual?

That would help 🙂

 

[Roger_A]

Is there a switch on the unit saying something like "Source - Tape" such that you select between the two? If so then the 'Tape' socket on the back is for both output to record and input to play from a tape recorder. It was quite common though trying to solder up 5 strands of cable was fun to say the least. If it does have an output then you only need a lead for the output which will need three pins connected (L,R and common) to two phono plugs on the other end and various sources can supply this or make one for you. Just make sure you order a lead for output from a 180 degree Din socket to phono input on the amplifier.
If there is no Source/Tape switch then it's likely that the socket is input only in which case I doubt you can connect it to a modern amplifier.

 

[Al ears]

Is there a switch on the unit saying something like "Source - Tape" such that you select between the two? If so then the 'Tape' socket on the back is for both output to record and input to play from a tape recorder. It was quite common though trying to solder up 5 strands of cable was fun to say the least. If it does have an output then you only need a lead for the output which will need three pins connected (L,R and common) to two phono plugs on the other end and various sources can supply this or make one for you. Just make sure you order a lead for output from a 180 degree Din socket to phono input on the amplifier.
If there is no Source/Tape switch then it's likely that the socket is input only in which case I doubt you can connect it to a modern amplifier.

My thinking also.
It turns out that, also part of the 660 series Philips also made a tuner and a cassette player so it may well be they are both inputs unless they did utilise the tape switch.
cannot see any evidence of one though....
There are three buttons too right but cannot make out what they are for in online photos, I suspect they are simply source buttons.
Let's hope the OP returns with some answers sometime soon.....

 

[Al ears]

That's what the lead is that I've linked to above Roger 👍

He can try it, it's cheap, but as my reply to Roger indicates this may not be possible.
Just wish the OP would come back with some responses. Still, it is Easter I believe.... 🙂

 

[Gray]

He can try it, it's cheap

Really couldn't be cheaper.
But if he doesn't want to risk £2.65 😱, seems to me he's got 2 viable options.
Do as you suggested, come up with a user manual, to stamp on the uncertainty. Or, do what I would do: open the unit and look at the back of the tape socket. It will have wires soldered to a minimum of 3 of the 5 pins. If wires are soldered to all 5 pins, then it definitely has an output. No question.

 

[Al ears]

Really couldn't be cheaper.
But if he doesn't want to risk £2.65 😱, seems to me he's got 2 viable options.
Do as you suggested, come up with a user manual, to stamp on the uncertainty. Or, do what I would do: open the unit and look at the back of the tape socket. It will have wires soldered to a minimum of 3 of the 5 pins. If wires are soldered to all 5 pins, then it definitely has an output. No question.

getting it open may be tricky, however it certainly isn't going to avoid the warranty 🙂
Getting the cable and seeing if there is any output might be easier.....

 

[ifor]

Instructions are available on Vinyl Engine.

 

[Al ears]

Instructions are available on Vinyl Engine.

let's hope the OP responds...

 

[nads]

let's hope the OP responds...

From a quick look it seems I was wrong and you could use the tape socket with pressing some buttons to give a variable out.

 

[doifeellucky]

I was given an old Rega Planar 3 but gave it straight back (passed it on to my sister) when I realised how expensive, and often poor quality (from what I’ve read), modern vinyl is. Decided to stick with my CD’s (gathering dust) and streaming.

 

[Gray]

(passed it on to my sister) when I realised how expensive, and often poor quality (from what I’ve read), modern vinyl is.

How lucky she is, to have such a thoughtful brother.

 

[Al ears]

Still awaiting the OPs return..

 

[Samd]

Really couldn't be cheaper.
But if he doesn't want to risk £2.65 😱, seems to me he's got 2 viable options.
Do as you suggested, come up with a user manual, to stamp on the uncertainty. Or, do what I would do: open the unit and look at the back of the tape socket. It will have wires soldered to a minimum of 3 of the 5 pins. If wires are soldered to all 5 pins, then it definitely has an output. No question.

The service manual is at link if that helps:
https://www.eserviceinfo.com/pdfview.php?fileid=173440