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
I found a Beolab 5000 that is in original condition, serviced, but not recapped. Is there any reason to believe that a Beolab 5000 is any different than the Beomaster 1900 family and therefore in need of recapping? I assume it does and work on the power supply, bulbs, etc.
And any idea what a “decent” price would be for a Beolab 5000 is good, but not flawless cosmetic condition?
I have more amplifiers than I need already, but this darn Beovirus is hard to fight. In the end I imagine I will be prudent, but this 5000 intrigues me.
Thanks,
Jeff
Beogram 4000, Beogram 4002, Beogram 4004, Beogram 8000, Beogram 8002, Beogram 1602. Beogram 4500 CD player, B&O CDX player, Beocord 4500, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 8004, Beocord 9000, Beomaster 1000, Beomaster 1600, Beomaster 2400.2, Beomaster 2400.2, Beomaster 4400, Beomaster 4500, Beolab 5000, Beomaster 5000, BeoCenter 9000. BeoSound Century, S-45.2, S-45.2, S-75, S-75, M-75, M-100, MC 120.2 speakers; B&O Illuminated Sign (with crown & red logo). B&O grey & black Illuminated Sign, B&O black Plexiglas dealer sign, B&O ash tray, B&O (Orrefors) dealer award vase, B&O Beotime Clock. Navy blue B&O baseball cap, B&O T-shirt X2, B&O black ball point pen, B&O Retail Management Binder
Hi Jeff, me again, sorry!
I paid € 150 for mine, working and in very good condition indeed. Google "Beolab 5000" to see it in its full glory!
I must admit I did not do anything on it. I just fitted new rubber feet, and re-adjusted levels.
This Beolab is possibly my favourite integrated amplifier, as it is. I have quite a few - like you my American friend - among which a superb contemporary Revox A78, fully restored. Not as good.
The desert island amp I guess for me, no less. Once bitten...
It was reviewed a few months ago (December 2013) in Hifi News by Tim Jarman.
To my ears, it surpasses the Beomaster 4400, as I have already mentioned here.
I have always wondered what a fully restored one would sound like. I have Frede's "Classic" price list and it will have to wait a little longer!
So, the short answer to your query is, go ahead and get it!
But, be warned: you will shortly need the matching Beomaster 5000 FM tuner...
Jacques
Jacques, if you're ever in this area of France, call in and hear mine, which is a fully complete restored Beolab system. If you're ever in the Basel, Mulhouse, Belfort area, give me a call. Keep saving and get yours restored by Frede, you won't be dissappointed.
Jeff - buy it. If you don't, very shortly you'll be wondering 'what if'! I don't think you'll regret it. It's very powerful, has fantastic tone and clarity and very soon, you will want to build the systyem to it's original form. See my avatar.
Dave.
Dave Farr: Jacques, if you're ever in this area of France, call in and hear mine, which is a fully complete restored Beolab system. If you're ever in the Basel, Mulhouse, Belfort area, give me a call. Keep saving and get yours restored by Frede, you won't be dissappointed.
I might just pay a visit sometime. My daughter lives in Besançon, same motorway, a bit further though! I know Belfort and Mulhouse, 'been there a couple of times.
Thanks for the invitation!
Nice place Besançon. I had my back surgery there and it's about 1hr 15 mins away. Call in any time.
Thanks Jacques and Dave,
Your input is most helpful and appreciated.
As the seller wants US$400 or €293 I need to give this some thought. I maybe able to get him to reduce the price, but at the same time, I have been around long enough to know it is the things in life that we didn’t do that we regret the most.
Were you the one who bought it for $400?
I was watching it on Ebay and was tempted to get it but I have way too many B&O components in my backlog to clear out before I bring anything else in. It looked like a good one to get though.
-sonavor
MediaBobNY: Were you the one who bought it for $400?
Hi Bob,
Regretfully no.
Today is my anniversary and I mentioned the Beolab and got absolute silence. I probably don’t need to tell you what that means. No way was I willing to ruin our day over yet another B&O purchase, so I decided to let the market speak and with no bids, have an honest chat with the very reasonable seller.
Well the market spoke and someone else will treasure that Beolab 5000.
In life, our greatest regrets are from what we didn’t do rather than what we did. Zero doubt that will be the case here, but I made the right decision to keep peace at home.
Guys, it is OFFICIAL I missed a real opportunity here, while keeping peace at home, which all considered, is more important.
I have had no less than six really open communications AFTER the auction closed with the seller and it is abundantly clear that this seller had an exceptional Beolab 5000.
I hope whoever won it, will truly treasure it.
I guess the feeling - I did see the Beolab - is known to all of us with less than deep pockets.
But hey, I'm sure you'll have another shot at this Jeff. Be patient.
And family and harmony do come first.
Hi Jacques,
Material possessions can be wonderful, but to be truly loved, who can put a “value” on that?
It was the right Beolab 5000 at the wrong time. Make that, the very WRONG time.
And while I detest to err on the “practical” side, a small dose of reality is needed here. I don’t have the deep pockets you mentioned nor appropriate speakers for my Beomaster 4400, so what was I planning for this Beolab 5000?
Truth is I wasn’t planning anything, the Beolab just “appeared” on eBay and the copious communications with the seller convinced me I wanted it.
That said, with the two exceptions of the Beomaster 1000 and the MC 120.2 speakers my BeoFamily is in fantastic condition and I am pleased and grateful for my collection as it is.
None the less, just today I was given the “green light” to purchase a Beolab 5000….. BUT at a more reasonable price. Honestly Jacques, I married a Saint!
Jacques, know one thing about me, I am a very, very patient man. When the time is right, it will present itself.
Jeff,
I've waited for over 3 years to be able to get the matching Beogram 3000 Thorens 124TD MKII turntable for my restored system from Frede. The wait will be worth it. My wife is also a B&O Saint. I wasn't planning on buying my Beogram 3000 Thorens now either but when Frede posted the restored one last week, I needed one! Fortunately, due to our past dealings I have a very good and generous deal from Frede to help make it possible
There are a few Beolab 5000's turning up at the moment so keep looking. You will not be dissappointed by getting one - especially a good one to use as a basis for a restoration by Frede - that's the best way to go as far as I'm concerned. Yes, it's not cheap but the result is spectacular. Start saving a bit each month into a Beolab 5000 fund, save your pocket change into a bowl each night and add it up at the end of the month - it may surprise you and then when you want to buy one, the funds are there and the 'B&O Saint' is easily pleased too.
Dave
The Beolab 5000 is a wonderful amplifier that I never tire of listening to music through. I've used it both with a Beogram 4000 and my Beogram 3000 Thorens, both are excellent matches in look and performance. I will treasure my two Beolab 5000 amp' for as long as I have working ears!
Who would even bother going to this kind of effort in today's market?
Another view:
Hi Dave,
I think we all have had our “obsessions” that took us years to acquire, making them all the more treasured. Patience is not just a virtue; it is a necessity with this Beovirus going around.
My other obsession is the Beogram 4000 and wouldn’t you know it, one just popped up on eBay today. I already have a note into the seller vis-à-vis my primary interest, the condition of the dust cover.
Both Frede and Martin were directly involved in getting my 4000 up and running. If this non-functioning 4000 has a better than average dustcover it would be worth it to me to buy it for the dustcover alone.
If I can get it working, all the better, if not, I have a parts source.
After the unnecessary fiasco with the Beolab 5000, I know now to ask early, and if need be use my, “I have a birthday coming up card.”
It has been SIX years I have been searching for an excellent condition dust cover. (Mine is pretty good.) If the dustcover is a great shape I envision myself as a very determined bidder. Probably going to make the sellers day!