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B&O 610 confusion

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fergus
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fergus Posted: Mon, Aug 5 2013 11:47 AM

Hi all

I'm curious about the old 601 amp and I'd like to pick one up some time in the future. But I'm confused about two different models that I've seen referred to as 610s in the archive. Are both the 'Bandmaster' (Dirigent? 610K?) and larger blue face receiver both 610s or is the slimmer 'bandmaster' actually a 608 or 609?;

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ZiRChWPOY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Mon, Aug 5 2013 12:25 PM

The numbers 608, 609 and 610 merely refers to the model year.
First digit gives the decade (4=1940s, 5= 1950s, 6 = 1960s), subtract this from the last two digits and you
have the last digit in the model year.
The Hifi Stereo Amplifier 610 is then from (6= 1960s, 10-6=4) 1964

The model names are Dirigent, Grand Prix, Master Deluxe, Beolit etc.

Martin

fergus
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fergus replied on Mon, Aug 5 2013 12:45 PM

I didn't know that. Thanks Dillen.

fergus
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fergus replied on Mon, Aug 5 2013 7:48 PM

So what is the model name of both these receivers? Dirigent and Grand Prix?

fergus
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fergus replied on Mon, Aug 5 2013 8:55 PM

Or , should I say, what ARE the model nameS of these amps Smile

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Mon, Aug 5 2013 9:36 PM

They were simply named :

Hifi Stereo Amplifier 608
&
Hifi Stereo Amplifier 610

As you will also find printed on the back.
It's not uncommon to find the name Beolab 608/610 adapted since it fits nicely in with the later amplifier
models but it's not correct.

There was also a Hifi Amplifier 607 (also stereo) in a different, far more basic, design and another, even
lesser known amplifier was the 911H44, taking the naming to the extremes.

Martin

fergus
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fergus replied on Mon, Aug 5 2013 9:44 PM

Thanks Dillen!

fergus
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fergus replied on Sat, Aug 10 2013 2:07 PM

More questions :)

Do both the black face and blue face versions have phono inputs? Looks like some are DIN.

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Sat, Aug 10 2013 2:20 PM

We had another thread about this not long ago.
Export models had RCA (phono) sockets and backside lettering (Amplifier) in english rather than danish (Forstarker).

Start collecting and you'll find out Laughing - maybe you'll find even more differences.

Martin

fergus
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fergus replied on Sat, Aug 10 2013 2:24 PM

Cheers Martin!

the_o_master
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Dillen:

There was also a Hifi Amplifier 607 (also stereo) in a different, far more basic, design and another, even

lesser known amplifier was the 911H44, taking the naming to the extremes.

Martin

Hi Martin,

Very interesting information! I know the 911 amp but I never heard about Hifi Amplifier 607!?

Do you have some pic of it? How does it look?

You are realy a living Beo-pedia :-)

P.S. Here the foto of 911 I have found on the net  ...

Vintage Bang & Olufsen

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Sat, Aug 10 2013 10:06 PM

What you are showing is actually the Amplifier 607.  Laughing

The Amplifier 911H44 was also called Amplifier Type HF. At least some of them had
this on a plate riveted to the backside. HF presumably standing for High Fidelity, which was also
found in lettering across the front, completely unlike B&O.

Martin

the_o_master
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Dillen:

What you are showing is actually the Amplifier 607.  Laughing

The Amplifier 911H44 was also called Amplifier Type HF. At least some of them had
this on a plate riveted to the backside. HF presumably standing for High Fidelity, which was also
found in lettering across the front, completely unlike B&O.

Martin

Hi Martin,

beautifull device! I never saw it!

Now I have one more device on my "wanted"-list Wink

But I have to say, I am little bit confused now. The device which of I posted a picture, is caled 911 in B&O catalog (see picture)?! No information about 607...

Vintage Bang & Olufsen

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Sun, Aug 11 2013 10:45 AM

No, it's called 911H58
Confusion complete now ?  Laughing

BTW, I once saw a 607 tuner built to match the 607 amplifier. Unfortunately I don't remember where I saw it and it's
not in any of the catalogues so it could've been a prototype.

Martin

the_o_master
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okkkk... hmmm...

Did I understand it right:

- 911H58 is the version I posted (and is also called Hifi Amplifier 607)

- 911H44 is the version you posted (and is also called Amplifier Type HF)

?

confusion with the B&O 60's naming, totally! Big Smile

Staying on this issue (naming 607,608,609, 610 ...):

To be honest I also saw for the first time this version of Grand prix Moderne:

http://www.ebay.at/itm/Bang-Olufsen-Grand-Prix-Moderne-Stereo-607-/251313683186?pt=Radio_TV_Musik&hash=item3a83767af2

It is the version 607 with white knobs and 5 white stripes on the front (instead of 2 I always saw on the 608 and 609 Moderne). It is diferent as the Grand Prix Moderne 608 and 609, which are the same. But the Grand prix Moderne 610 is again diferent. Am I right?

 

Vintage Bang & Olufsen

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Sun, Aug 11 2013 2:30 PM

Yes, and I think, if you look closely you can actually see the 911H58 in the catalogue scan, you posted.

Up until the mid-1960s it was quite common to see new radio models every year (almost like cars) and B&O
followed this trend closely.
For the Grand Prix models, with some exceptions, this usually meant a few changes, upgrades and/or design
changes from year to year, keeping some elements (f.e. amplifiers) and replacing others (accomodating new valve types etc.).
The Grand Prix models were always at the top of the model line-up (not counting a few Grandessa models in
the early 1950s), they pretty much represented the extreme of what was possible at the given time. Always
very advanced and some would say over-engineered at times but impressive none-the-less.

None of the 607/608/609/610 Grand Prix models are 100% identical.
The Grand Prix 607 is not too common. It is a bit rare, as is the 610.
Grand Prix 608 and 609 seems to be slightly more common - if you can use that word at all.

The Bandmaster models were merely export versions of the Dirigent models.

Martin

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