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
This is my first post on here so, hi everyone.
I've just been lucky enough to acquire a full Beosystem 4500 with redline speakers. It's been kept in lovely condition but has been unused for sometime. I have hooked it all up and have done some testing. I'm looking for some advice on how to go about troubleshooting some of the issues I've found.
The main issue is distortion on both channels. I have ruled out the speakers as they're fine when used with another amp. The distortion is still present with headphones. Are there any known issues with these particular models which might cause this?
The cassette deck doesn't work. I was half expecting this given the age but strangely it functions mechanically, i.e. the tape moves when playing, rewinding and fast forwarding. Again, any Ideal what I could check here?
The remote control doesn't work. Replaced batteries, I can see the led inside lighting up when I press buttons but there is no response on the unit...
Thanks.
The electrolytic capacitors in these systems dry out and go bad with age. The first step would be to have them all replaced in the Beomaster unit. It will likely solve the distortion problem. On the tape player, replace the belt. Dillen on this forum I believe can source them. -Gregg
Thanks, Gregg. I have experience of re capping amps so I'd probably start there. I assumed the belts in the tape deck where ok as it was playing and FF and RW'ing, it's just that there's no sound. I'm no expert though so will check it out.
Any ideas on the Beolink 1000 remote? I found another post which advised shorting 2 of the battery pins which I've tried with no luck.
What sort of sound quality does this system produce when working 100%? Obviously it's good enough to be worth saving but how does it compare to other stuff? I was lucky enough to get this for free so I am absolutely chuffed. Can't wait to have it all working but other projects going on mean it's going to be in the back burner for now...
Why not diagnose and repair?By doing blanket replacements there will always be a risk of introducing more faults - and it may not solve the current problems, only make it more difficult to diagnose any of it.
Beomaster 4500 has a hybrid chip for the output stage. That's about as good as it is.It's nothing like a conventional amplifier.Distortion - check ripple from the power supply - replace the hybrid (don't buy fakes from Asia). Occasionally a rectifier diode is found open circuit (or shorted, but that usually sees the fuse go too).
Beocord 4500. Silent.Does the VU-meter indicate a constant maximum when playing? Check the 8Vref. Replace the related 470/10V cap (or caps - I don't remember if ithas one common or one for each channel).
Martin
Hi, Dillen. More good info, thanks for that. The Beocord doesn't show anything on the meter, both channels stay in the first green LED.
Interesting about the hybrid chip. Would that be the first thing to replace in your experience? Could you point me in the right direction for one of these?
Another thing I've realised is that the glass controller panel's are coming away. Looks like foam tape was originally used to stick them down but it's dried out and no longer holds the glass down. I'm guessing isopropyl to remove the old stuff, what would you recommend to stick it back down with?
Thanks
Do you have another B&O system to try the Beolink 1000 to make sure it is the remote that is bad? You could also have an issue with the IR receiver on the 4500.
One of the reasons to have a 4500 is the joy of using the two way remote control with the Beolink 7000. The designs of the 4500 and the 7000 go very well together.
-Gregg
Not all Beomaster 4500 supports two-way remote.