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
Hello, this is my first post on the forum so bear with me if I have missed a thread in the past.
I am the owner of a beosystem 5500 with beocord tape, beogram CD, and beomaster tuner/amp. I am currently bidding on a matching beogram 5500 turntable on ebay but the seller is being a flake at the moment. Will another series of beogram work with my beosystem? I have plugged in another older model of beogram from my grandparents set and it didn't really seem to have the amplification it needed to drive the sound I normally get from the rest of the system.
Long story shot - are there other beogram models that will work with my 5500 system and what are some options I should be looking for
Much thanks to all of you beophiles!
-Nick
Beosystem 5500 | Beomaster 5500 | Becord 5500 | Beogram 5500 | Beogram CD 5500 | Klipsch RB-81 | Audioengine B1 Bluetooth DAC
Jacques
Thank you! What is the market value of the models you have referenced. I had bid on and won a 5500 on ebay for 350. But I still haven't heard from the seller on shipping.
TortugaX5:Thank you! What is the market value of the models you have referenced. I had bid on and won a 5500 on ebay for 350. But I still haven't heard from the seller on shipping.
What you paid is a bit high, but then if it's got a fine MMC4 or better, and if isn't cosmetically challenged, that could be a fair deal.
These decks can fetch silly prices these days. Unless they come from professional sellers with a warranty of course!
350 USD
@Chartz Does that mean that a 6500 would work with my system?
You could, but it would be a poor choice for several reasons:
-It has an internal phono preamp, which duplicates the one in your receiver. So you'd have to avoid the phono input and use Aux instead, which might not permit remote control operation of tone arm.
-It wouldn't match the other components cosmetically - it uses mirrored aluminum instead of matte, as well as a different lid.
-It would cost substantially more than a 5000/5005/5500 because of increased demand due to having a built-in phono preamp. A feature you don't even want.
Your best choices are 5000 (radial), 5005 or 5500 (linear, no difference except for badge)
Exactly.
@MediaBobNY and @Chartz thank you for the great information! I'm sorry if I'm asking rookie questions. I've owned my parents system for about 10 years and I've just now decided to look for a matching turntable with the boom of vinyl again. In my city of Columbus, there are now 10 record stores that've popped up all over.
I'm going to keep looking for the suggested series of 5000, 5005 and 5500.
I really thought I'd nabbed a good 5500 off ebay but the seller has flaked out and won't even respond anymore.
I've been doing research on this website but are there other reputable B&O resources that I should be referring to for vintage?
Thanks again!
Here.
I looked at completed auctions on eBay to see the one you bought but couldn't find it. If it came with a working MMC1 or 2 cartridge I'd go after the guy and leave him negative feedback if he doesn't reply.
One word of warning in buying turntables on Ebay. Very few sellers actually know how to properly pack a turntable for shipping. If the turntable has a good, working cartridge, it is hit or miss that it will survive the shipping due to poor packing. The best option is to find someone selling the turntable locally. Otherwise, buy a turntable without a cartridge and purchase the cartridge separately from one of the B&O cartridge vendors that are around today. If you do go for a working turntable with a good cartridge, communicate with the seller ahead of time regarding the packing and shipping. It is best if the cartridge is removed and packed separately. You also expect the seller to use the B&O chassis lockdown mechanism.-sonavor
MediaBobNY, the seller stopped communicating and never shipped. I just recieved my refund. The listing was: 262497757350 and it came with working MMC3. Needless to say, I've given negative feedback and have moved on.
Also, great advice both of you above about properly shipping. I was aware of the transport screws and had mentioned that the seller. I was unaware of the cartridge needing to be packaged separately, but makes a ton of sense, considering that's worth almost more than the turntable. Please elaborate on the platter and sub platter packing
Another clearly rookie question but It bears some merit , I believe: I'm in the USA with 110v electrical outlets. Should I be limiting my search to US spec beograms or should I also be OK to look at the 220v models sold in Europe - what conversion would be needed?
There aren't enough turntables on eBay US that you want to pay $100 shipping for an overseas one? Additionally, I don't think it's sufficient to just convert the voltage; if I'm not mistaken, with turntables you have to convert the frequency as well (we're 60Hz; they're 50).
The auction number you gave seems to be invalid.
At the moment there are 3 5500's on ebay that I can see in the US. One is for parts, one is w/o a cartridge and looks a bit rough, and one that is located in New Jersey for pickup only
Parts / "can't test" 5500: http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-O-Bang-Olufsen-Beogram-5500-Type-5943-Turntable-Record-Player-/191922810747?hash=item2caf7daf7b:g:s7sAAOSwwo1XdY6K
w/o cartridge: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bang-Olufsen-BeoGram-5500-W-O-Cartridge-/282101551028?hash=item41ae900fb4:g:LLAAAOSwGtNXiCfp
And pickup (which looks excellent): http://www.ebay.com/itm/BANG-OLUFSEN-B-O-BEOGRAM-5500-TURNTABLE-Tangential-LINEAR-Tracking-PICKUP-ONLY-/222184503619?hash=item33bb3a7943:g:ZqAAAOSwmtJXXNu9
The first one looks okay except for the rough spots on the dust cover. Definitely requires a new belt. The second one says it is working. I have actually bought some items from the second seller before. I recall that I didn't have any problems with them. They are also in the same state as you, right? The third one does look the best if you don't mind the road trip or have relatives in New Jersey that can pick it up for you.
-sonavor
That's good information, @sonavor! I have been looking at sound-smith for cartriridge prices and am torn between being cheap and getting a MMC 4 or spending the money to get a MMC 2.
Also, my granparents 3300 (I believe it's a 3300) is in my closet at my parents house. I might be able to salvage the cartridge out of that?
I'm pleased to hear that you've had decent luck with Ishams on Ebay before. I'm going to talk with him to see if he can ensure that the turntable is properly packed etc. before offering.
I've started thinking, based off the advice provided here to hunt for a 5500 w/o cartridge.
One important piece of information regarding the MMC1-5 series cartridges...It is quite common for the suspensions on those cartridges to fail after all of these years. There are a lot of used MMC1-5 type cartridges around that probably have a good stylus and cantilever but don't work properly because of a suspension problem. Places like SoundSmith and Amina Audio (Benny Amina) here in the USA and Axel Schürholz in Germany.I have heard that Axel is more or less retiring from the MMC cartridge repair and turning that work over to another technician mentioned here. Those places can do a full restoration as well as just a suspension repair.
I only mention this so you are aware of the benefits and pitfalls of finding a cartridge. If you have an old MMC4 available I would start with that. It is a fine cartridge as other people here on the Beoworld forum give it good reviews. If you end up buying an MMC2 then I would look at the rebuilt ones from Germany as well as the new manufactured ones from SoundSmith.-sonavor
Yes good info again. I should have mentioned that I was referring to the sound-smith mmc cartridges. I spoke with them this morning and they stated that MMC 3 and 4 would be about a 2 week wait. But mmc 2 were in Stock. Obviously there version of the MMC.
I would test out your Grandparent's Beogram 3300 with your 5000 system and see how it sounds.
@Sonavor I mentioned in my OP that I had tested that series - it did work, but the sound was significantly muted and didn't have as near the same sound or power as the other pieces. I have read that the turntable may be slightly less 'loud' than the CD or tuner but this was different, in my opinion. Could that simply been the cause of a failed cartridge? At the time, I wasn't nearly as interested as I am now and didn't really know much about the beogram I had in my possession.
I will say that it's a very cool looking turntable and if I remember correctly it had wood accents and a slanted dust cover. My dad has the matching 3300 system in his office with a pair of beovox.
TortugaX5: @Sonavor I mentioned in my OP that I had tested that series - it did work, but the sound was significantly muted and didn't have as near the same sound or power as the other pieces.
@Sonavor I mentioned in my OP that I had tested that series - it did work, but the sound was significantly muted and didn't have as near the same sound or power as the other pieces.
It could be a cartridge issue but are you certain you had the cable in the Beomaster phono input?
-Sonavor
It has been awhile but I do believe that I and my dad played around with it for sometime. He was certain that it would work and was stumped when ithe didn't. It was in the phono slot above the CD port.
Okay, as long as you had to select Phono on the remote to get sound then it was plugged in correctly. The cartridge may well be the problem then. The only way to know for sure will be to try out another MMC cartridge.
I was able to have a family member snag a look at my grandparents beogram and it turns out it's not what I thought it was. It appears to have a MMC20EN cartridge.
EDIT: Turns out it's a Beogram 3404, the image is blurry but I could just barley make out the '3404'.
I'll post a link: http://imgur.com/d72kTAW
EDIT: I also wanted to ask you all about restoring/buffing the plastic dust cover. Are there any proven methods that you all prescribe for removing scratches and swirls from the dust cover plastic.For my older vintage Panerai watch which has a plexiglass crystal, I use polywatch and brasso.
I've placed my order for the second Beogram 5500 that I had listed in my previous post. I was able to get the turntable for $189 which left room to pick-up a MMC 4 cartriridge from Sound-Smith for $199. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things are shipped this time around! But for the $370 I was refunded by eBay for the last beogram mishap, I only had to pony up $48 bucks more for a brand new cartridge.
I'm a watch guy and one of our mottos in buying used or vintage products is buy the seller not the watch. I do feel much more confident in this seller than the last one that I dealt with. I am looking forward to hooking it up to my beomaster. I will come back for advice as I'm really impressed with the knowledge you all have.
TortugaX5: I also wanted to ask you all about restoring/buffing the plastic dust cover. Are there any proven methods that you all prescribe for removing scratches and swirls from the dust cover plastic.For my older vintage Panerai watch which has a plexiglass crystal, I use polywatch and brasso.
I also wanted to ask you all about restoring/buffing the plastic dust cover. Are there any proven methods that you all prescribe for removing scratches and swirls from the dust cover plastic.For my older vintage Panerai watch which has a plexiglass crystal, I use polywatch and brasso.
If you only have some small scratches and swirls to deal with then try using something like the Novus polish kit.-sonavor
Excellent! I had searched the forum and checked out your restoration @sonavor. That looked pretty darn good when you got done with it. I will likely have some time as I wait for the sound-smith cartridge to arrive. I may make this a bit of a project as I wait. I also saw on youtube a guy that had also 'restored' his aluminum housing. It didn't look identical to the factory brushed look, but it did look a lot cleaner than it being scratched to heck!
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSulUVoJNmY
His note to me about how he did it:
"For the plastic sections of the cover, I used automotive headlight polisher. the aluminium bit you saw in the video has been improved. I initially used fine grit sand paper (800) but found that you won't get the original brushed look by using freehand sanding. it is best to to use a 200 grit 3M scotch brite pad on a sanding block with a ledger made up to ensure that you sand in the same spot everytime in order to create the brushed look. hope this helps and thank you for your kind words brother. the b&o is a gorgeous piece of art and yes it does sound amazing!"
Is there a DIN cable extender that would connect to the male end of the beogram DIN to make it longer?
I'm going to have the turntable off to the side of my media console on a rack. I have purchased DIN to 3.5mm jack for my AUX media - do they offer such an extension cord?
You might want to contact Steve at Sounds Heavenly about specialized cables for B&O products. -sonavor
Thanks again! I just recieved my 6ft extension din and also replaced a din pin in the beogram cable. The cable allows me to have my turntable positioned in a more suitable spot for my living room setup and now I can control the 5500 from the comfort of my chair with the beolink 1000.
I also decided to get a audioengine Bluetooth dac to bring my beomaster up to the times. With high quality music it sounds very clean and close to cd quality. Great for streaming albums I don't have.
TortugaX5: I also decided to get a audioengine Bluetooth dac to bring my beomaster up to the times. With high quality music it sounds very clean and close to cd quality. Great for streaming albums I don't have. Beosystem 5500 | Beomaster 5500 | Becord 5500 | Beogram CD 5500 | Klipsch RB-81