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 folks, newbie here.
I have purchased this 5500 cassette deck on fleabay which seems to work just fine.
The primary purpose for this deck is to actually archive many cassette titles to my reel to reel deck, which I regret to advise purists here is an inferior Japanese brand.
I have the deck playing into my yet again inferior Japanese brand Amp via RCA connectors. Playing well, and so far so good.
The vendor also "threw in" several B&O remotes that don't work and I assume they require a master section to remotely activate the deck. Nonetheless I can get things working using the panel on the deck, but without a user manual I must operate the thing intuitively.
I need to pull the "drawer" out manually though it seems to be designed to operate remotely like a CD drawer, and I wonder if I will damage the unit doing this?
I also cannot seem to see an on/off button as such on the panel and wonder about this?
I play the tape by plugging into mains power and use the play/stop buttons only.
I really need an operator's manual I feel.
Were these decks ever meant to be used as stand alone devices as opposed to slaves units operated by a master unit?
Any advice about this very nice, but completely mysterious cassette deck will be most welcome.
Thank you. Rod G
It was designed to be used as part of a Beosystem 5500 but can be used as a stand-alone unit. The remote controls the Beomaster receiver only, which in turn sends signals to the various components in the system (hence the 7-pin DIN connectors). Your remotes probably work and you can verify this by viewing the top thru a digital camera while pressing any button. You should see a red light indicating it's working. If they're Beolink 1000's, there's a very good chance there's leakage corrosion in the battery compartment.
The drawer is motorized but you're doing no damage by moving it manually. The belt undoubtedly dried out from age. If you press the front left where it says 'Open' you should hear the motor run. The on/off function would be controlled by the BM receiver - maybe if you press "Stop", then unplug it and plug it back in again it will be completely off. Not sure.
If you upgrade your membership you will have access to user manuals. I think that on B&O's web site there is a manual for the Beosystem 6500 (essentially the same as BS 5500) which has a section on the Beocord cassette deck.
Make sure the tape heads are clean - makes a world of difference in the sound quality.
p.s. - I own an 'inferior' Japanese Pioneer RT-707 reel-to-reel. Built like a tank and still running strong after 35 years..
Hold standby (red dot, front panel right side) for a second and the Beocord will go into standby.
Martin
Dillen: Hold standby (red dot, front panel right side) for a second and the Beocord will go into standby. Martin
Thanks heaps Dillen. Checked this and it works as you say. :)
The machine operates very well after what is surely a long period of non-use. Can you say if these are two motored? If belt driven I may well be up for a belt at service time (I'm the unqualified Tech :)) as I understand it, the belt can become misshaped and all that goes that. For now though it seems to be operating beautifully.
Thank you once again. Rod G
MediaBobNY: Make sure the tape heads are clean - makes a world of difference in the sound quality. p.s. - I own an 'inferior' Japanese Pioneer RT-707 reel-to-reel. Built like a tank and still running strong after 35 years..
Hi MediaBobNY. Thanks for your contribution.
Yest the RT 707 and 909 are sought after units, and rightly so. I've stuck with TEAC for parts availability here in Oz.
Yes I'll the old girl a good clean up. From what I can see, heads look OK, a relief when buying old gear. :)
Thanks again. Rod G