Beogram 3000

Hi,

I am a 'newly' turntable enthusiast, having acquired a pro-ject primary turntable a couple of years ago. I have been enjoying it a lot but recently read some good stuff about Beograms and want to upgrade. I am also a B&O enthusiast, unfortunately I can't afford a full B&O system, but I own a B&O A9.

I have now the opportunity to acquire a really well kept Beogram 3000 with SP12 cartridge, and I was wondering if it would be a good first step in this world? 

I am asking because I read about some models a lot ( 4000/4002, 8000) but not much about the 3000 one, so is there something I should be aware about before buying it?

I'm new here too, and am in a somewhat similar position with B&O turntables so while we're each waiting for more seasoned enthusiasts to reply, I thought I'd say hello. I just bought a BeoGram 5500 with some issues (wired for UK -- but in the US; needs a cartridge) and I'm hoping to slowly build a system around it. I was looking for a tangential tracking deck and didn't figure I'd get the perfect one straight away. From what I've been reading, a 4000 may be my ideal. In the meantime, I think I got a good deal on this 5500 from someone local who seems trustworthy. 

For what it's worth, if I were you I'd go for the 3000 if the price seems reasonable and the seller is someone you trust. A good deal from a good source is worth a lot. You can always sell or trade later for something else. 

By the way, how do you like your A9? I know little to nothing about them aside from seeing pictures of them everywhere. 

itendtostare:

Hi,

I am a 'newly' turntable enthusiast, having acquired a pro-ject primary turntable a couple of years ago. I have been enjoying it a lot but recently read some good stuff about Beograms and want to upgrade. I am also a B&O enthusiast, unfortunately I can't afford a full B&O system, but I own a B&O A9.

I have now the opportunity to acquire a really well kept Beogram 3000 with SP12 cartridge, and I was wondering if it would be a good first step in this world?

I am asking because I read about some models a lot ( 4000/4002, 8000) but not much about the 3000 one, so is there something I should be aware about before buying it?

There were 4 turntables B&O named BG3000.

https://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=288

I’m assuming this is the one you are looking at, unless someone put the wrong cartridge in one of the 2 earlier models (if it is one of the earlier BG3000s, buy it quickly).

Anyways, this BG 3000 motor will most likely need the bearings pressed with oil if it has not been already. A job but totally possible. Mostly, check that it plays at the correct speed.

A cool turntable that can sound very good (I have one in regular rotation in my setup) but if you play a lot of vinyl, there are easier B&O to tables to live with in my opinion.

Hi Harry,

Great to find someone else in a similar situation! I thought as well a 4000 would be ideal, but have not found one on sale at a reasonable price yet ( I live in London - UK ). I was really curious about the 3000 as I love the aesthetic and had a good offer for a good unit! As you point out it might be a good place to start.

On the A9; I choose it because my house is quite small (60sqft) and an all one warehouse-y space, as such I needed something powerful but contained. I also use different systems : I watch movies on a projector and I sometimes play games, so I did want to avoid having lots of cables. The A9 is excellent as I can stream music / listen to music from my turntable / watch a movie or play seamlessly. I would really recommend it if you have a set up similar to mine. Of course I know there are far better systems, but it does exactly what I need.

Keep me posted on how you find the 5500, if you get it!

Hi Saint Paul,

Thanks for your reply and you assume right, it s that one, apologies I didn't know there were so many models, and unfortunately the one I m looking at is not a Thorens !

Which other B&O tables are you referring to, as I play vinyls probably every other day!

Yeah, serendipity is a big factor. I would have taken almost any tangential tracking B&O, but I'm (so far) glad I found the 5500. I'm curious about what St. Begrowler said regarding playing records every day -- I do too, and it's easy and fun on my current setup, a Technics SL-1200. Would it be harder or less fun on a BeoGram 5500? I'll find out! My longterm intention is for the B&O to be a second system (who knows where I'll put it -- small house), not a replacement for my existing, non-B&O system. 

That said, the A9 is sounding more alluring as I hear more about it. A bit out of my budget (I think they range from around $1,000 used to close to $4,000 new here) but I'd love to hear one in person. Unfortunately, our local Bang & Olufsen store closed some years ago. Budget aside, my wife may like the idea of one beautiful speaker instead of two giant ones in our living room. 

The Beogram 3000 with SP12 is a great turntable. If it has been serviced and the motor is turning well, this is a hard turntable to beat . The SP12 is a fantastic cartridge with great frequency response. It is a very good introduction to Beograms and is not as highly sought after compared to the later tangentials, though the sound quality is probably at least as good and the quality of build far better. I have had one of these and the similar 2000 and thought both were great. I actually have the 3000 Thorens these days but these are rare and stupidly expensive. The 4000 is the true icon but the 3000 is definitely a great deck. Buy it!!

If you really want a tangential, the sleeper is the Beogram 6002 - it is a 4002 in the body style of an 8002. But much cheaper than either!

itendtostare:

Hi Saint Paul,

Thanks for your reply and you assume right, it s that one, apologies I didn't know there were so many models, and unfortunately the one I m looking at is not a Thorens !

Which other B&O tables are you referring to, as I play vinyls probably every other day!

From my experience I’d say that a well serviced BG3000 like this will be joy to own and use but if it is selling for a low price I’d assume it hasn’t been serviced and will troublesome until it is sorted out. Same goes for the BG400x and 800x models which will require service by someone who is very familiar with those models before they are reliable and trouble-free for frequent listening use. And totally worth it in my opinion.

Although not the best representation of what a Beogram can be, a cared for specimen of the later radials (like an RX, RX2, BG5000, 2000) or a pizza box style linear tracker (TX2, BG3000, 5005, 5500, 3000, 3300) will most likely be reliable for years and many hours of use despite never being serviced except belt replacement. This of course is my experience and not definitive but might save you some hassle, money, or heartache while just starting in the Beogram experience.

Peter:

If you really want a tangential, the sleeper is the Beogram 6002 - it is a 4002 in the body style of an 8002. But much cheaper than either!

Good advice! Thank you!