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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
For those who have a history with it, what does the Beomaster 2400-2 sound like? Also, it it were coupled with some Beovox P30's? What would one be prepared to pay for both the amp and the speakers? Any information is welcome and encouraged thanks!
Welcome to Beoworld !
Beomaster 1900/2400 is mainly about design and looks, really.Well, that may sound a bit rough but, to be honest, it plays very well, has a niceand pleasant sound but it's nothing special and nothing like some other Beomaster models.The same goes for the Beovox P30, even if they are actually some of the better soundingtwo-way speakers around. Put them on the wall at ear-height when listening, that'sactually fairly low on the wall but it means the world when it comes to the way, they sound.
Great looking things anyways - and a nice and originally recommended combination.I have a pair of P-speakers on my bedroom wall and wouldn't dream of taking them down.
The value is difficult. Generally, these things are worth what people are willing to pay.Keeping an eye on Ebay etc. will give you an idea. Condition is paramount when it comesto vintage B&O value, optics in particular since most tech issues can be fixed.
Martin
Cheers Martin,
They are in really nice condition and yes the design is beautiful. That's basically my entire conundrum - I don't want to be overly swayed by their appearance if their sound doesn't compare. Could you compare them sound-wise to any other vintage amplifiers (you don't have to be so specific just more a quality range)? Basically if they offer a more natural sound I would be pleased.
If I could get them combined for 120 pounds, would you deem that a good deal or should I push for lower?
Stephen
Stephen,
I only do B&Os so I'm not the right one to compare to other brands but you mentioned the term"natural" and it may be quite appropriate, really.
When it comes to speakers, I tend to prefer the older models. Mainly because of their warm sound.Some might say that they color the sound - which is true to some extent - but some people (me included)actually like it this way.I also like to switch Loudness on when listening at home and I'm not afraid to fiddle with the treble and bass controls if I feel the signal content, room acoustics or my mood asks for it.To me, it's more important to listen to something I find pleasant, than something that producesnice figures and linear curves on spec charts.In other words; I'm proud to say, I'm not an audiophile.
Sound is always a matter of personal opinion and I'm sure that many will disagree but to me, f.e. theBeovox CX50/100 falls into the "sterile" category, whereas almost all speakers of the Uniphase rangeand backwards to the mid-1960s sound more "alive".
The Beomaster 1900/2400 models could probably be hanging on the edge of falling into the "sterile"category too if you ask me.Again, others will surely disagree.But many people like this, I know they do from years of servicing these beauties and, truth be told, it's not THAT bad and it may even sound more "modern", more like the newer hybrid powered amplifiers, thanother B&Os of the same age. Maybe slightly less dynamic than other Beomasters and not wired forparty use at all but good for your everyday livingroom use.
One thing, I've noticed is, that after servicing a B&O I always let the thing play (soak test) for some timein the workshop with me while I do other things or start the next repair.Occasionally, an item or combination of items is allowed to play on for hours and hours without meactually noticing it or thinking it's time to switch it off.That's when the sound is pleasant, I don't think much about it.It just plays on and I enjoy listening. There are certain amplifiers, speakers and combinations that justfit so nicely together. B&O knew that, of course, which is also why they recommended certain speakersfor use with certain amplifiers.
The price ?Well, I try to steer clear of advicing regarding prices on vintage items but, having said that, I'veseen the things going for about that amount separately.
I have here a BM 2400, not 2400-2, but if you buy something this age, you will have to be ready to do some restoration, my 2400 I bought 2010 on US bay for 100 US and some 30 US shipping, until now my total cost with new caps, and a couple of transistors, and some working hours are US 160-180 something.
Speakers are the same, some of them will need new surrounds, most of them new caps in the filters, as for the sound, its individual, you will have to listen and find out what you like.
Prices are different in Europe and US, also in Europe the prices varies from country to country, the best you can do is to find a local seller where you can test and listen to the items you want to buy, if you are handy with electronics, you may get away cheaper, buying a repair object.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
I started my B&O collecting in 1965.
I'm old enough to remember when I bought a Beomaster 2400-2 system as a gift for my parents. This was my third B&O component purchase. My then girlfriend ( now my wife ) and I set up S-45 speakers, the turntable, and the cassette player that came with the Beomaster system. My parents were up in Germany, and we planned this system in a teak wall rack as a surpise Chrsitmas present. They were expectedly stunned.
One may forget ( as many of you may not even have been born then) that at the time most stereo systems not made in Europe were coming from Japan. They were all huge affairs, full of bogus meters and graphs, mounted in racks all hot as Hades after 10 minutes of playing. Speakers were equally large, and in some cases stacked on one another. ( Shades of the old VOX amplifiers ). In short the "studio " look.
I'm guilty as charged, as I bought the Beomaster system for it's appearance first, and sound quality second. However the non-amplified speakers sounded " clean " according to most, without hiss, pops, and other artifacts. This was an era of Danish Teak bookcases and furniture, a glass of Port or Sherry, a good book, a fire as the alpine snows fell outside, and a good LP record playing. You did not notice the equipment but the sound and your surroundings.
Today, August 2012, that same system continues to play exactly as it did 36+ years ago. No repairs ever, other than a new needle now and then for the turntable. They now have a B&O CD player I added 20 years ago. My parents are now in their '90's and that system, although relocated into a newer house by the lake, is still one of they're prime enjoyments each evening. It still gets compliments, and still looks and sounds good.
Amazing story. If that won't sell the system, I don't know what will. Thanks to the others too...
As long as the system produces a full/rounded sound and I am easily able to distinguish/isolate different musical sections I will be happy to purchase. The digital display on the amp is impressive and the wall mounted, super thin beovox speakers are simply beautiful.
How would you personally describe the sound of your parents system SWISS?
If anyone else (or you guys who have already posted) has an opinion on the sound of the system I would love to hear it!
Way too loud, alas, given my parents age and hearing loss.
When they watch the nightly news (whcih I have run through the Beomaster 2400 system) I politely ask them to turn it down when we are there, or leave I the room. Flatscreen sound out using RCA to an RCA-DIN cabling, and then line in to be amplified through the Beomaster. So loud I heard it swimming one evening well offshore on Lac Léman.
The music sound remains clean and clear. Good bass for a non amplified speaker and decent treble. I recall now that I did replace the speaker lines 15 years ago, still using B&O DIN lines. The old rabbit ear antennae is there, but I've connected the antennae socket to a better house FM antennae.
It came with the original remote, but took the battery out and put it away as they never used it. If I had to quantify the 2400-2 system in modern EU currency I would say it originally cost around € 2800.
As a rule, my parents switch the power off (just inside the lid, on the right) each night at 22:00. This most likely is one of the main reasons for the system's longevity. In fact, other than a 1600 Beomaster with a broken belt, all of my other Bang & Olufsen collection items still work.
SWISS_2: I started my B&O collecting in 1965. I'm old enough to remember when I bought a Beomaster 2400-2 system as a gift for my parents. This was my third B&O component purchase. My then girlfriend ( now my wife ) and I set up S-45 speakers, the turntable, and the cassette player that came with the Beomaster system. My parents were up in Germany, and we planned this system in a teak wall rack as a surpise Chrsitmas present. They were expectedly stunned. One may forget ( as many of you may not even have been born then) that at the time most stereo systems not made in Europe were coming from Japan. They were all huge affairs, full of bogus meters and graphs, mounted in racks all hot as Hades after 10 minutes of playing. Speakers were equally large, and in some cases stacked on one another. ( Shades of the old VOX amplifiers ). In short the "studio " look. I'm guilty as charged, as I bought the Beomaster system for it's appearance first, and sound quality second. However the non-amplified speakers sounded " clean " according to most, without hiss, pops, and other artifacts. This was an era of Danish Teak bookcases and furniture, a glass of Port or Sherry, a good book, a fire as the alpine snows fell outside, and a good LP record playing. You did not notice the equipment but the sound and your surroundings. Today, August 2012, that same system continues to play exactly as it did 36+ years ago. No repairs ever, other than a new needle now and then for the turntable. They now have a B&O CD player I added 20 years ago. My parents are now in their '90's and that system, although relocated into a newer house by the lake, is still one of they're prime enjoyments each evening. It still gets compliments, and still looks and sounds good.
Best. Story. EVAR.*
There are some P30s for sale near me in Florida for $50. If I didn't already have *cough* 9 sets of speakers *cough* I would probably buy them just to have a project to work on. Alas, a divorce may be the end result so I'm not going to get them.
On the other hand, I've paid $25 for a pristine BM2400 that didn't work and $25 for a perfectly working, but cosmetically shot one. An hour or two of work combining them and now I have a receiver that I like very much. Sonically it's not as nice as my BM4000, but it's still a good sound. It could drive my Beovox M70s with no trouble, liked the S45-2s, but didn't do so well with S40s. Never did quite figure that one out.
Currently the BM2400 is the heart of the system in the guest bedroom with a BC2400, BG3404, and a full range, single driver, horn speaker system (not B&O). Spent much of last night listening to 45s and was a happy fellow.
Recommendation: make the plunge, but beware the Beovirus.
*Not told by Martin