ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hello All. I am new to Beoworld. I joined in order to get some quality and realistic advice on the value of my B&O system and to decide if it is worth carrying out some servicing prior to sale - or even if I should keep it?
My system in Teak comprises of :
A Beogram 2000 - Type 5240
A Beolab 1700 - Type 2605
A pair of Beovox 2702's - Type 6262
A pair of Beovox S45's - Type 6302
A spare (used) 12a stylus/pickup
These items have been very carefully wrapped and kept in storage for 30 odd years. I need to de-clutter so decided they should go. I was told by a B&O specialist that they have now probably deteriorated very badly, and even if they hadn't and were in good working order, the most he would give me was £100 for the lot.
To my amazement when I unwrapped the items they appeared in excellent condition. I decided to power up and even more to my amazement everything worked! I say that cautiously because the turntable initially showed no signs of life. But having disconnected the speakers and leaving the turntable and amp powered on for a while (unintentionally), when I came back into the room it was playing! Subsequent testing of the system sees the Beogram 2000 slow to lift its pickup arm, but with a little help from me by manually moving the platter, it works just fine. I haven't tested the spinning speed of the platter yet but the music from the record I played sounds right. I'm aware that I should replace the rubber turntable band and should also re-lubricate moving parts but as yet I don't know how to re-lubricate the turntable or even if it is worth doing (I mean from a selling perspective). I'm a competent DIY person but a million miles from having the necessary expertise on HiFi electronics.
After 3 record plays on medium volume the Beovox 2702's starting 'popping' and I realised the foam rings had blown. I removed the covers only to find the foam rings in bits. I ordered some new foam rings from the Netherlands, installed them, and now the speakers sound great again.
The rubber rings for the cones in the S45's look and feel in very good condition and the speakers sound great. However, I was told by a different B&O specialist (this time my local dealer) that the cones will inevitably blow after some short term usage due to the cones being brittle through non use. Not sure if this will happen because they don't feel brittle, but it does make sense, and so he's probably right.
The Beolab 1700 is a slight concern. I notice severe crackling when I move any of the sliders, but I recall this happening back when I used it in the late 70's / 80's. The left speaker channel seems to go dead (only the left) until I move the volume slider a little, then it jumps back into life. My guess is that the sliders and contacts need servicing / cleaning but as with the turntable I don't know how or if its worth doing, especially if I'm going to sell.
Cosmetically the items are in extremely good condition, in fact I haven't seen any better being advertised on e-Bay. There are some flaws as expected, e.g. a little piece of veneer missing from the side rear of the Beolab, and some slight scuffing on the underside of the speakers, but nothing major at all.
So at this point I am confused as to the value of my vintage B&O system, both in its current state and what it would be worth with the faults, as mentioned, put right (if indeed they can be put right). I have seen some silly asking prices on auction sites like e-Bay, and I don't know if anyone actually buys at these high asking prices. My confusion is further added to by my local B&O dealer who tells me that when he gets items the same age as mine they go straight into the skip.
In summary I would much appreciate a realistic take on what I should sell my system for (I think selling as separates will deliver maximum return), and whether it is worth the time, cost and effort to fix (service) the problems as described.
It is a dilemma and I'm hoping someone can help.
Thank you in anticipation - Carl
The trite answer is that it is worth what someone will pay for it.
However:
The Beogram 2000 is an extremely good looking deck akin to the 1203 but with a proper lid! I had one of these and found it a reasonable deck and certainly a looker! Dealers are selling these in good mechanical order for nearly £400 (ridiculous price really but certainly should get over £100 if working and good pictures on eBay)
The Beolab 1700 - 20w amplifier - at the low end of the B&O range (to be fair a good match for the BG2000) but not as sought after as the receivers of the time and a bit lightweight. Had one of those too and think if I am honest that I binned it! Not that bad though and a good accompaniment for the 2000. Ni idea what that is worth - maybe £50 if in very good condition. The thought you have of contacts seems a reasonable one and if not fixed will reduce the value to nil.
Beovox 2702 - the correct speakers for the system you have - very nice but a bit like all other speakers to look at. B&O tended to make systems that perform best when used in the correct combinations and these suit and will enhance the 1700. There is a pair on eBay at present for £250 ( a bit rich! a pair actually sold for just over £80)
Beoxox S45 - one of the best speakers made by B&O. I prefer the 6312 for looks but the sound is the same. Have had a number of pairs of the 6312 model and they are great. The magnet can slip on the bass unit and if working a bit of epoxy is good insurance against a disaster if shipping. Probably about £70 though prices fluctuate wildly. I have seen a pair go for over £200.
The secret is:
1. Condition - no scratches and clean. Take good photos and in focus and more than just one.
2. Working - faulty equipment is worth nothing unless a very desirable model - unfortunately yours is not so it has to work!!
3. You need to be able to ship it as relying on pick up will massively limit your audience and the price you get.
However, this is a great system - a modern one will not sound this good unless you spend many hundreds of pounds and will have nothing of the build quality. These devices, as you have already found, just keep going and are repairable. Very eco-friendly and look great to boot. Keep it!!
Your dealer is quite correct in saying he would put it in a skip because he will not be aiming at the correct audience as he is aiming at people with a lot of money - the cabling will cost more than your system! However a student would lover your system - an the ability to play vinyl.
Peter
Hello Peter,
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond so comprehensively. I guess the bottom line is - if I am lucky enough to achieve top sale prices then any of my own investment to correct faults is likely worth it. The system looks so good that in my opinion it deserves to be in good working order.
I'm very happy with both pairs of speakers (condition of cabinets and functionality) but less happy with the functionality of the Beogram 2000, and a lot less happy with the functionality of the Beolab 1700. I don't have it in my heart to bin either of them though.
I did hear that the S45's speakers don't travel well (magnets dropping off) so thanks for confirming that.
Today I gained access to the innards of the turntable. Couldn't see anything obvious as it all looked very clean. Now that I know how to gain access I want to clean & lubricate the motor so as to hopefully rectify the pickup arms slow starting. I've searched here and on-line on how to clean a motor but alas no joy so far. I have however learnt that unlike the American version that used Direct Current motors, the AC motors used in the UK can be taken apart and cleaned. If walk throughs on how to do this are available here then I'm happy to upgrade my membership to read them but as yet I can't be sure they are available.
The Beolab 1700 is cosmetically too good to bin, and after all it does work. There must be a way of cleaning the contacts & sliders. More research for me to do I think.
I'm falling back in love with my system which has been out of sight for many years. Increasingly I feel I want to keep it but if I'm to be practical then I don't really have the room.
I take your point about the Dealer who said he would bin it. It was hard to hear but as you say he is looking from a different perspective. Yes a student or vintage B&O enthusiast would appreciate its looks and sound, and the S45's did sound fantastic. Even more reason for me to persevere and try to get my system back to best of health (sell or keep). Thanks Peter.
Hello All,
Following on from my previous thread and taking into account the help I received from Peter, can anyone direct me to 'easy to follow' instructions on how to clean a Beogram 2000 Type 5240 motor, also how and what parts within the turntable to lubricate? I've recently learnt that these turntables can either have a DC or AC motor, and I wouldn't recognise one over the other if it jumped out and bit me! I was initially under the impression that only AC motors were sold in the UK but I've been told this is incorrect? Also that DC motors cannot be disassembled and cleaned, only AC motors can - but I'm not sure if this is correct either. I've searched for guidance with no success, and with so many threads on here it is difficult to locate what I'm looking for. I am currently only a bronze member but if upgrading to silver will deliver the results I'm after then great.
Similarly I am looking for help on how to clean the contacts/sliders on my Beolab 1700 Type 2605 amplifier. I hope to remove or reduce the extreme 'crackling' I get when the sliders are moved. It occurs on all the sliders. I doubt I have the expertise or skill to take it all apart and do a professional job (but I often surprise myself) so I was wondering if anyone has used the spray cleaners and spray lubricants that are available on the market? Alternatively instructions on how to disassemble and do it right would be great. As with help on my turntable, not being a paid member may be limiting my search results. On that point I'd be grateful if anyone could advise.
Many thanks - Carl
These are very nice, classic B&O from what I consider their golden era. But the taste differs and the generalt poblic might not value them so highly.
If you don't want to keep them, you could probably find a B&O enthusiasts that would like to give you a decent offer. The Beogram and the S45s are the most attractive items. 100 pounds is definitely too low for the lot but don't expect a lot of money. There is some cost involved in restoring them to full working order.
I have cleaned the bearings on my Beogram 2000 motor. I removed them from the motor and cooked them in vacuum, to get the old oil out.
This isn't as difficult as it sounds. Just put the bearings in a wine bottle, pump out the air with a vacuum pump for wine and then put the bottle in a water bath in a pot that you heat on your stove. Then you take out and clean the bearings and after that repeat the process but with some fresh oil in the bottle.
My Beogram has run perfectly for several years now, after this treatment.
Hello Ninni, thank you for your comments. I agree the Beogram and S45's should sell, assuming I can resist the temptation not to hold on to the whole system. I just need to get the Beogram working as it should and hopefully the Beogram 1700 too. Rgds Carl
Hello agin Ninni, just seen your second message. I would never have thought of that idea to clean the motor, very ingenious indeed. I think that is how I will do it as it sounds like it will give the motor a thorough clean. I'm less clear on why repeat the process with new oil (presumably sewing machine oil). Is this so the oil is heated and consequently can get into all the right places?
I'd be interested to know if at the same time as cleaning the motor you lubricated any moving parts and which ones, and what oil did you use?