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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi everybody,
I've recently decided I want to get into the world of vinyl. I fairly quickly realised that the turntable I HAVE to have is some version of the Beogram 1200. It is just too beautiful for words!
Today my mother told me that she no longer needs her BeoLab8000s, and asked me if I perhaps want them... Well, what do YOU think I answered?!
I am completely new to the world of turntables, preamps, active/passive speakers etc... I grew up with my parents' Beocenter 7007 with Redline speakers, and later a BeoSound 3000 with the BeoLab8000 speakers. But that was all plug-and-play. (I still have the 7007 and Redlines, by the way)
So, here's the question: (assume I know NOTHING about audio equipment)
I found a Beogram 1203 online a few days ago. It has had the DIN cables replaced with phono cables. It looks MINT! (but needs a new belt) Can I use the BeoLab8000 with the 1203? And what do I need between the Beogram and the speakers? And importantly: can this be done without me having to tinker inside the different units?
Thank you,
Fred
-Norway-
Welcome to Beoworld Fred!
The 1203 Beogram is designed to plug into a Beomaster with a gramophone input, so its output is unsuitable for directly driving the BL 8000s. You would need a preamp module to convert the gramophone output to a level output. I have used such a module in the past but not with total success, probably due to earthing issues or the like causing background buzzing. I could never get the sound quality comparable to that achievable through simply connecting the BG1203 to a Beomaster 1200. I am not familiar with the BS 3000 inputs, but I would guess that it has a tape or auxilliary input that would need the 1203 output to be converted before connection.
Graham
The 1203 can be connected to the BS 3000 with a phono preamp
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Hi Graham and Søren,
Thank you for welcoming me to the forum, and for your suggestions! Invaluable to a newcomer like me.
Let the search for a Beombaster 1200 begin! And failing this, I will connect the Beogram directly to the Beosound.
Once again thank you for helping out a novice.
-Fred
The BM 1200 has no connection for active speakers (Beolab 8000) the BS 3000 has this and then you have the CD working with the same unit, the BG 1200 series connects easily with a preamp like this one(Phonopreamps) with this preamp you can then connect your TV set top box and so on and the phono connection has a gain (volume) for the low volume from the BG. If you have the BS 3000 I would stay with that, if you buy a BM 1200 it will need repair, if not reconditioned by an expert.
I agree with Søren. If you can get a really good quality preamp it would be best to connect to your BL8000 s via the BS3000. Any original Beomaster 1200 or other Beomaster from that era will, by now, need a complete recap, and you will also need compatible Beovox speakers. Unless you intend to collect a complete contemporary BG1203/ BM1200 etc set-up, find a good preamp.
Søren and Graham,
Once again thank you! This makes perfect sense. I spent some time yesterday evening searching for Beomasters here in Norway, and actually found one less than an hour's drive from where I live. But as you predicted, the owner couldn't guarantee that it is working properly...
So finding a good quality modern preamp, and connecting the Beogram via the Beosound, is now my new mission objective.
Thanks, gentlemen!