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
Hi everyone
I just got hold of this beautiful sound system from a general secondhand store here in Brussels. All equipment is in quite battered shape, and has several technical issues. Now I would like to, as far as possible, restore the sound system to its former glory!
Here is a description for each component:
Beomaster 1900; I opened it for cleaning and used contact spray at points recommended in sevreral posts in this forum. Seems to be in quite good shape. All lamps and touch sensors are working. The radio functions well, as well as bass/treble and other buttons. When connected to speakers, it recieves radio, and plays well enough but with a constant hum in the low spectrum. This is amplified a lot if I turn on loudness. There seems to be a problem with the phono and the tape inputs, as almost no sound is produced when I am hooking up either the Beogram to the phono or other equipment to the tape input.
The Beogram has a mechanical problem with the 33/45/on/off switch. I opened it, and tinkered a bit (also used contact spray on exposed parts), but it is still not 100%. Just sometimes it "hits" and then the recordplayer starts, the arm moves in, settles and it acutally starts playing. I do not know if the audio signal provided to the amplifier is working, as I do not have any other amplifier with a proper RIAA circuit. Oh, and the lid is unforuntately in quite a bad shape. No hinge and a bit cracked. The pickup provided is a MMC20EN with the original needle. I would guess I would have to replace the needle. Any recommendations on that one?
Speakers are the S45 6302 with resin back including mounting points. The bass woofers are original, and carries no sign of foam rot, but both are distorting the sound considerable, just like when we killed cheap small speakers on too strong amplifiers in the 80-ies. I would need advise on this, could it be just the capasitors, or are the units themselves been damaged?
A common problem is the woodwork, which bear mark of several years of torture. What would be the best way to restore the very thin layer of plywood (teak? Oak?) for scrathces, terrible marks from hot coffe cups etc?
Any advice would be welcomed. I am very excited to start working at this fantastic project!
Welcome to Beoworld.
You have a nice project. The Beomater1900/2400 is one my absolute favorites. I have restored several over the years. What I can recommend is that if you are handy with soldering and have some basic electrical skills replace the original electrolytic capacitor and dial display lamps. Kit are available here to do that.
The S45 is one of B&O's best ever speakers. I have restored several sets of those as well. Yes the caps are probably also in need of replacement. More importantly is the base drivers will need to be re-glued. The magnets are all starting to slip and lock up on those speakers.
You can search the forums for information on how to do a lot of repairs here or you can ask.
I have never owned or worked on a Beogram 1900 so I cant offer anything to help you with that.