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,
Just joined the forums here having recently acquired a complete Beosystem from my father (Beomaster 5500, Beogram 5500, Beogram CD 50, Beocord 5500, working master control panel, 3 non-working handheld remotes, and 1 remote control receiver panel). I was able to acquire a 2nd nearly complete system (minus Beogram 5500) from a local online seller.
Now I need to work on sorting out issues. Beogram 5500 was only playing back on one channel, diagnosed bad cartridge, new SMMC-4 cartridge on order, due to arrive today. Both Beogram CD50s are non-operative. CD loads but is not reading (yes, I know disc must be loaded label side down).
So for the moment, other than FM radio, my only working source is Beocord 5500. It seems to be playing nicely, but after about 15minutes, it began eating cassettes. The first symptom = the deck spontaneously auto-reverses. I press "stop" and find the deck is munching my cassette tapes! Interesting to note, the capstans continued to spin, even though I had pressed "stop" - is that normal? Presumably the first step here is replace the main drive belt? I figure the take-up side of the unit is getting stuck, or not running fast enough? Have done some searches, but "Beocord 5500 eating tapes" doesn't generate specific hits. Would appreciate any guidance, and am very excited to put this system to use.
I have had a 5500 system for years - sits under my iMac and acts as sound system with this!
1. I am sure the cartridge will fix that - and the SMMC4 is a fine cartridge.
2. The CD50 is a tricky beast - they all seem slightly different - I have a non operative one at present too! I have had it fixed once but then got the CD5500 which is much better and far quieter mechanically. The CD50 is fixable but I had Tim Jarman fix mine.
3. I suggest the deck with need a good clean and probably new belts. The capstand do spin all the time.
The other common fault is the mute relay on the speaker one terminal will stick and oftem leave you with just one channel. - you can use speaker 2 but then you have no mute function!
Peter
Hi,
Thanks for confirmation on the capstans.
Ordered up a bunch of parts to make repairs to the CD50 and Beocord 5500. Doubles of each part since I have 2 of each unit, and hope to get them both operational.
One of the 2 Beomaster 5500s has the mute relay problem, so I ordered a replacement part for that as well.
I primarily plan to use this system for playing LP records, but will enjoy using the CD and cassette player as well, so long as I can get them functioning properly.
update:
New cartridge has the Beogram 5500 playing LPs and sounding great.
Repaired one of the 2 Beocord 5500s with new drive belt, drawer belt, and drawer tires. The problem with eating tapes seems to be primarily due to sticky supply and take up wheels. Lubricated those and cleaned everything. Seems to play back just fine now.
Also got one of the 2 Beogram CD50s working properly. I replaced the belt, cleaned and lubed one of the units and confirmed it correctly loaded and reads CDs. All appeared to be fine, though the CD drive motor seems a bit noisy. When I connected it to the system, there was no sound. I thought this could be a bad capacitor or two, so I started working on the 2nd unit. On the 2nd unit I found that even with a new belt, and cleaning a lubricating the mechanicals, the drawer was very slow and the disc would fail to fully load and lock into the drive unit. In comparing the 2 units, it seems like on the 2nd one there was a lot of resistance turning the pulley and motor when connected by the belt (all other gears removed). With the belt off, there was no binding, all smooth. Once the belt was installed it became more difficult to turn (and noticeably stiffer than the 1st unit). I decided this may be due to a problem with the drawer motor itself, so I swapped it for the one from the 1st unit. After a lot of messing around to make sure the gears were all correctly clocked, I got the 2nd unit to lock and load CDs properly, and it seemed to be reading/playing the disc correctly as well. Back to the system where once again I had no sound. Then I tested with RCAs hooked into a different system and it made sound! Turns out I had a bad DIN cable all along! I think the 1st unit would have worked ok, but the drive motor was noisy and the 2nd unit seems to be cleaner and better condition inside, so I am fine.
I may try to get the 1st unit running too, but I think I may need a new drawer motor.
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
This is where I'll start sometimes to see what chronic or usual repairs and parts are needed.
https://www.beoparts-shop.com
leosgonewild:I highly recommend getting a Beogram CD5500 It is so much more joy to use.
It is so much more joy to use.
But the sound of the CD50 is unbeatable. It's so incredible pleasant and warm.
Martin