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've just joined the forum and would like to ask for some advice about B&O turntables. I've always wanted to own some B&O kit and having something to play my small but growing collection of vinyl would be the perfect way of entering the B&O world. I know B&O no longer make turntables but I would certainly be interested in a vintage player. I've been looking at the later Beogram models particularly the 4500, 6500 and 7000. I like the idea of having a B&O turntable with an inbuilt RIAA pre-amplifier so I can plug it into more modern speakers. I'd like to ask which of the 3 Beograms I've mentioned should I go for? I'd be looking to spend less than £500 on a Beogram if possible. Also, once I do have a player, what do I need to consider in terms of speakers? Will the player and speakers be all I need or is there anything else that I will require?
Thanks.
Hi.
I'm not that knowledgeable on turntables but I am sure you will still need a seperate amp for the deck to drive your speakers. Having a deck with an inbuilt RIAA means you can connect it straight to the aux input on the amp, for example the cd or tape input. The inbuilt RIAA amplifies the signal to line level, without that the signal straight off the deck is very weak. If the deck didn't have an RIAA then the amp would have a seperate input for decks or you would need an external RIAA.
Please remember to check if an MMC pick up is supplied with your deck and it is in good condition. These are no longer available from B&O but there are repair specialists for rebuiling old worn ones.
With the right compatible B&O amp (Beomaster/Beocenter) some of the decks you are interested in can be controlled by remote. I don't know which models exactly are suitable, but a little research on this site will advise you no doubt.
Are you considering passive speakers or Beolabs(active)? This will also have a bearing on which amp you need.
Graeme.
Thanks for your reply, Graeme. I'm looking at getting Beolabs for my turntable. Not sure which ones just yet. Whatever will go best with the deck that I choose. I've done some more research and I'm actually liking the look of the Beogram 5000 a lot. It's not got a pre-amp but that's not a problem by any means. It seems that you can get some nice examples of this model for considerably less than later models with the built-in pre amps. I've managed to find one with a good quality MMC included which I'm keeping an eye on. Do you have any suggestions for speakers and amps that I can match with a BG 5000?
I would suggest a Beocenter 9500. A beautiful looking piece with internal RIAA and power link connections for Beolabs. Literally plug and go for your Beogram 5000 and Beolabs! It also has a CD player and radio, and spare inputs for iPod etc.
Choice of speakers has so many variables. Where they will be located, size of room, budget, sound, looks etc. Recommending any is always subjective. I have BL8000's and am very pleased with them but you should go listen and look for yourself if you can to as many as possible, and let your own ears and eyes decide what is right for you.
I've enjoyed the Beogram 5000 and 5005 through a simple phono preamp then a set of Beoplay S8's. Although the set of S8's I have didn't come with the connector hub that it comes with now so I had to use a separate volume control. The hub would supposedly allow you to use any IR remote control to regulate volume. If you go with the BG 5000 you will also need a DIN to RCA converter cable BTW. You might as well get a Beomaster 5000 receiver and a set of Beovox passive speakers while you are at it and you will be well on you way to getting away from the minimal component setup and then the fun starts.
The 9500 sprang to mind as it seemed to be an 'all in one' solution, and it drives passive as well as active speakers. The BG 5000 is also datalink enabled which would mean you can control it by remote with the 9500. It is rather large in size however so may not be suitable if space is limited. But there are, of course, many other options out there.
I don't have a ton of space in my room so something that's not too large would be ideal. I like the look of both the Beomaster 5000 and the Beocenter 9500. Which of these is the more compact? As for speakers, I'm leaning towards the Beovox CX 50 as they appear to be the ideal size for my room. I'm also pretty certain that the BG 5000 is the turntable I want so if the above systems and speakers are a good match for it, then that's the setup that I'll go for.
If space is limited then the BM5000 will be better and of course more in keeping with the BG5000.The BC9500 is rather large.Just bear in mind you will need an external RIAA and the BM5000 has its own remote - believe it's called the MCP5000 - and just may be harder to obtain with the BM. I don't think the BM5000 is compatible with current remotes i.e. Beo4 or Beolink 1000. The BC9500 is compatible with those remotes.
Regarding speakers I would suggest looking for a pair of CX100 in the CX range. Not heard them myself but by all accounts very good compact speakers. Be sure to check for foam rot, they will have suffered from this by now if not already repaired. Another suggestion would be Beovox S45-2 speakers. Always highly recommended on this site and I have heard them myself, very good (smaller) speakers.
I don't mind if I can't use a modern remote for the BM5000. Nice to have but not essential. Those S45 speakers do look good and not too expensive either. Looks like I can get these, the BM 5000 and BG 5000 for just over £600 which I think is reasonable for a retro hi-fi set up. I'm open to any more suggestions before I commit to these though.
It is the S45-2 speakers I am recommending, not the S45 ( very different speakers and not so highly sought after.) The 45-2 I believe have rubber edges to the woofers so don't suffer from foam rot, and are a very pleasing speaker to listen to.
I would suggest you are paying top end prices for this equipment, I hope it lives up to your expectations and it is in near perfect condition. - More importantly I hope you enjoy your new B&O experience, welcome to the club!
Maybe post some pictures when you have made your purchases sometime please. (Flash your B&O thread.)
Graeme,
Is this the speaker you were talking about?
https://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=666
This was the one that I was looking at earlier. Bit concerned with the age of this model. I know the Beo 5000 is hardly new either but I wonder how much life is left in equipment like this even if I get one that's been well looked after.
Yes it is and of course you are quite right to be concerned about the age and longevity. Hence my previous comment regarding your expected cost of the equipment, I would absolutely look for every piece to be in perfect working order for that amount of money. Having said that, if you do get the right pieces I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Earlier I didn't mean to put you off the CX range, but, although generally newer, still have issues with foam rot in particular. Get a good pair of refoamed CX 100 and you should be good to go!
You are not necessarily bound to get B&O passive speakers of course, the BM5000 is capable of driving almost any make of passive speaker, but I'm assuming you would rather keep it all pure B&O- I know I would in your situation!
I've decided to go with the following set-up:
Beogram 5005
Beomaster 5000
Beovox CX 50
I think all I need now is the pre-amp. Is that right? Sounds Heavenly have this one available for B&O kit:
http://soundsheavenly.com/beogram-record-players/12-pre-amp-kit-for-bo-beogram-and-all-turntables.html
Good choice! I have had a preamp from Steve, no problems. You will need speaker cable if not supplied with the speakers, 2 pin din. Also available from Steve.
Final thought - just check how much control you have with the BM5000 without the remote i.e. Volume, tone controls, balance, changing input, on/off etc. I believe some B&O amps need you to have the remote for full control, but the BM5000 may have all controls available on the front panel , I'm really not sure about that.
Enjoy!
Is this the speaker cable you mean?
http://soundsheavenly.com/beovox-passive-unpowered-loudspeakers/24--beovoxcx-.html
As for the BM5000, it seems that you can access controls on the receiver itself so that's fine.
Yes that's them. They may come with the speakers anyway. Glad to hear the amp is controllable from the front panel. Sounds like you're ready to take the plunge. Hope it all goes ok for you. Please post some pics sometime when you're all set up.
G.
I'll make sure I do once everything's set up. Thanks for all your help.
akmd: I think all I need now is the pre-amp. Is that right?
I think all I need now is the pre-amp. Is that right?
Just read your earlier thread: no you don't need an extra pre-amp, it is built into the Beomaster already.
Chris