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 bought a 608 a couple of weeks ago... Both performance and looks keep me smiling at it :)
Thought i'd share some pictures with you!
It is beautiful... and fits suprisingly well beside that modern turntable!
--mika
Looking at and listening to, collected, restored and playing B&O vintage equipment is like Xmas every day. And yes it is beautiful.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Welcome to the 608 'owners club'. Next, you could invest in a proper TT to match it. Enjoy it. I use mine almost every day.
Dave.
Congratulation from me too. Really very nice set!
As Dave said, it will not take a long and you will want the matching TT. Lets try to predict: For example in the future you could want to get a nice old Beogram 608 or the version 42V(F) with the larger platter and longer tonearm
And than you will want to own the matching tuner and eventually the stunning speakers type K or maybe the less space consuming speakers type M...
But maybe I am wrong, maybe you have a better protection against the Beovirus and you will resist
We would be happy to hear from you in the future
Regards,
Theomaster
Vintage Bang & Olufsen
A lovely set there. I have the 610 version which is black rather than blue, but equally striking I think!
Also pretty unusual, especially here in the UK. Mine used to be owned by someone who worked at B&O in the 1960s.
One day I'd love to get the matching tuner as Theo mentioned!
Ben
Hi Ben,
I own the export black version 610 too and I like the look of it, even more as the look of the blue 608. The only problem is that there is no really matching tuner version for it. Unfortunately the Minette 609K was made only with a grey/blue front.
What a beautiful slim tuner it would be with a black front!
Thanks guys! A proper TT is standing next to it ;) Not per see a B&O freak... I think the combination of old and new is beautiful. The Type SD (Still can't find anything on them, just the same and S 607) Speakers are already bought. :)
My friend has got the export version in black btw. But I do like the blue version combined with the white record player... gives some color to the living room :)
It was tongue in cheek! I've got a Transcriptors Saturn next to my Beolab 5000 system. Not everything is B&O though it isn't actually connected to the Beolab - more for a Clockwork Orange moment rather than use.
Is it a Project TT?
Haha... I thought so ;) I've got a Beogram though...
It is indeed a pro-ject RPM 1.3 real value for money imho
I have a Project digital tuner attached to my 608 amp and it's really discrete but very effective. Nearly bought a Project TT but ended up with yet another Beogram!
Out of interest, how does your 608 cope with a TT? On mine, I have to put the volume control really quite high to get a decent volume from the speakers. Tuner is fine and is loud enough just on volume 1 - 2. TT needs about 7 - 8. I'm using a BG4004 at the moment. If I use the BG on my BM4400, I only need a low volume setting on that so the output from the TT seems to be OK.
Hi Dave,
the answer is simple: you need pre-amp between your 608 and TT. Neither the BG4004 nor the 608 on his phono-in have no build-in RIAA amplifier.
In your BM4400 there is a build-in RIAA amplifier.
One more reaason to get the 42VF
the_o_master: Hi Dave, the answer is simple: you need pre-amp between your 608 and TT. Neither the BG4004 nor the 608 on his phono-in have no build-in RIAA amplifier. In your BM4400 there is a build-in RIAA amplifier. One more reaason to get the 42VF
Well, I thought so too but when I use a pre-amp (which I know works), I have the same issue! It's an odd one. I do have a 42VF but with a non-original tonearm which needs some work. I like my BG4000 series as I use an MMC 20CL cartridge with them and they sound wonderful.
Are you sure? My Pro-ject has an MM element, the quality of the sound coming out of the 608 is brilliant, no problems with high or low tones... Without any kind of amplifier... 1-2 is more than enough.
Theo,
You are absolutely right, but maybe one day I will find both!
Strange they didn't make a matching tuner really.
Great to see a vintage thread on here though, been a bit of a lack recently!
Ben: Theo, You are absolutely right, but maybe one day I will find both! Strange they didn't make a matching tuner really. Great to see a vintage thread on here though, been a bit of a lack recently! Ben
yes, you are right. Silence on the vintage front
Maybe all our vintage gurus are around drinking christmas punch and baking the B&O cookies
I am sure we will hear from them soon...
In a meantime my Dirigent 609K (without stereo decoder ) found his place in my personal "Hall of Fame" ...
Fantastic picture! I will try and help with the vintage threads, got a repair to a 'barn find' pair of Beovox 2500 Cube speakers so will be starting a thread on that shortly.
You really are building quite the collection of vintage items! Is there anything else on your wishlist?!
thanks. Yes, in the last years I have collected "few" nice vintage B&O's but as we all know, there are always few must-have items more
Few months ago I decided to go to stand by collecting vintage B&O. I wanted to collect only 3-4 items more before I would stop my hobby temporary. On my wishlist are at the moment only 2 items more: Beolit 500 (Type 1101) and Beovox 2500
You see, obviously I have to make a "barn-search" too, if I want a nice pair of Beovox 2500
Actually I think barns, cellars and garrets are often good places to search the thinks we are looking for. I bought my Beolab 610 few months ago from a guy who was selling his father old radios found on the garret in his house. And it was not first time that I found "B&O-treasure" at such places...
Generally I think it is very hart to find Beovox 2500 in nice condition. Are you satisfied with yours? I am excited to see your project.
Are you also collecting vintage B&O?
Pictures?
Best regards
Biased the tubes yesterday... that helped...
Compared it to the refurbished 610.... i'll renew all the elco's i think!
Villhelm, Looks brilliant, didn't realise you had both!
Theo, Yes, I do collect vintage stuff. Got 2 Beolit 500s you're after, but they did take me a while to find! I will post some pictures of my older stuff when I get the chance, but I'm studying at University now so all my new projects are waiting at home! I will start that thread next week as well.
Regarding the 2500s, they aren't in brilliant shape, someone has resprayed them at some point in their life so they need quite a lot of work, but they work and are structurally sound. The stands are really nice!
In the UK it is more difficult to find pre-1964 stuff, but I do have a few bits like the 610, Type L speakers, an early Beomaster 900M for instance.
Lots more that I'm after though, I will post some pictures when I'm home!
@Villhelm
Very nice picture! That's what we love here, pics of old vintage B&O, lot of them
And how nice see them together, brother and sister, 608 and 610 ...
Obviously you are experienced with valves / tubes. I have a question for you.
I have one 608 refurbished by ex-B&O technician with 30 years experience (all elco's and some other parts changed!) and honestly I can't hear any difference to the second 608 and to the 610 I also own. Actually I would say this 608 now has even 10% lower volume level as other 2. Is it normal, did you have similar experience?
Does the refurbished 610 sound much more better for you as the 608 which is in original condition?
Ben: Got 2 Beolit 500s you're after, but they did take me a while to find!
Got 2 Beolit 500s you're after, but they did take me a while to find!
O, does it mean that you can sell me one?
Ben: Regarding the 2500s, they aren't in brilliant shape, someone has resprayed them at some point in their life so they need quite a lot of work, but they work and are structurally sound. The stands are really nice!
Did you buy those sprayed grey in Ebay few weeks ago?
Ben: In the UK it is more difficult to find pre-1964 stuff, but I do have a few bits like the 610, Type L speakers, an early Beomaster 900M for instance.
Same here in Austria. Everything B&O produced before 1965 is very hard to find. Only from collectors and they are very few... I am trying to find the pre1965 B&O stuff on the danish web sites. Luckily the Danes are very fine people, most of them are ready to send their items to overseas. Unfortunately their shipping companies are not the cheapest...
Ben: Lots more that I'm after though...
Lots more that I'm after though...
Please do not say that ... How true for lot of us here
BR
When I get myself sorted I will see about that
I did buy those ones, not that cheap, but unusual to see in the UK and I wanted a project! I will keep you posted with how it goes on the new thread!
Reviving this thread as I have just purchased a 608 that was on an auction web site. It does not have a case. I assume the cases are nye on impossible to find? If I have to I believe I can reproduce on fairly easily. I notice that the specs for speaker impedance are 4 and 16 Ohms - any difficulty with using 8 Ohm speakers? Anything a first time owner of a piece of vintage B&O equipment should know? Any speaker suggestions. I have available Heresys (currently in use on my main system), KG 2.5s, NS-10Ms and a pair of Paragons in my stock. I could trade off some of these and add something else.
I'm not sure yet where the 608 will go in the house but want it to be somewhere I can enjoy it as much as I do my main system.
Thank you
Indiana Drew
Gear: 608 High Fidelity Amp/Type S Speakers - C-20/MC-240/Heresys - Other McIntosh Pieces
Welcome to Beoworld!
What a beautiful machine. Well done for finding it. In terms of speakers, original B&O speakers which would have matched this amplifier would have been Type K or Type M or S. All fairly difficult to find nowadays but there are some available if you keep your eyes on european sales sites.
In terms of your outer case, I would be very surprised if you could find either a unit for parts (you shouldn't break one of these up really!) or a spare lid. Therefore I think your best bet is to try and get one made. They were originally in teak and rosewood.
I am also not sure that your loudness and filter knobs are original either. They may be able to be sourced though.
Your speakers should be fine as well, these are pretty powerful amplifiers and they have a lovely warm sound. They are best enjoyed with period speakers though!
Enjoy it
Thanks Ben - I have a Macintosh set that drives the Heresys (it had AR3as when my father purchased it in the '60s. I agree that I enjoy having a system made up of similar vintage components if not the same brand.
As to the case - I figured it would not be possible to find one - I assume the piece I have purchased was built in. I can probably reproduce one myself. One of the things I love about tube equipment is being able to see the tubes. How hot do these units run?
I am lucky to have a top service guy in my area who is already looking forward to seeing the 608 and giving it a once over. Anything I should direct him to?
If a pair of Type S are unavailable would the Beovox 1000 be a suitable pairing?
Does anyone happen to have a lead on **** ? I have the ability to build one, but would prefer to acquire an original. I'd also appreciate *** or a set of **** (which I doubt exist).
EDIT by Dillen:We kindly ask for a minimum membership level of silver to place sales/wanted ads.Your support will be appreciated.
Beautiful - really. all the edges on the wood are sharp and crisp, uniform color, dials all in good condition as is the front. It most be as close to fresh from factory as it is possible to get. Is it original or has it been restored?
Is there a slight dent / bruise to the bottom left leg?
If anyone is interested in a quick way to make a precision steamer for getting dents out of finished wood.
Get a filament type E27 screw in light bulb (harder with bayonet type), With snips cut of the contact at the end and then with pliers remove the stem and filament. Put a little drop of water in and use a gas cooker style gas lighter to heat the water. You can hold the bulb indefinitely by the metal screw and the jet is very controllable in size and direction. If you need a smaller jet tape a washer over the hole. You will usually not need much steam and there is a delayed reaction between steaming and the wood swelling. Lots of small goes are better than one heavy one.
OBVIOUSLY - it may damage the finish depending on the type of finish. But finishes are usually easy to fix compared with dents.
Save this link in case your ever visited by the police as you will look like a crack head LOL,
You can also pop spirit in and a wick and use it as a spirit lamp - also good for getting out dents as it is a "Wet Heat" and a soft one.
As a gold member, may I ask this question?
Drew W Platt: Does anyone happen to have a lead on **** ? I have the ability to build one, but would prefer to acquire an original. I'd also appreciate *** or a set of **** (which I doubt exist). EDIT by Dillen:We kindly ask for a minimum membership level of silver to place sales/wanted ads.Your support will be appreciated.
Yes.
Thanks for your support.
Martin
Hi there,
please can anybody supply the schemarics and or service manual for the 608 and 610 valve amp ? Any documentation would be much appreciated. Thank you all