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
After 2 years dragging my feet on this project, I finally made it and really happy by the experience.
I want to especially thank Frede from Audio Classics for the aluminium front panel re-make, Dillen (Martin) for the new slider windows, Soren for his great tutorial and also all the forum members for their support.
I'm listing here the work performed for others who would like to embrace the challenge of bringing one of this marvel back to life.
Main Board:
- Changed all black bullet transistors and matched L&R channels HFE
- Checked all the other transistors
- Changed the electrolytic capacitors to audio capacitors into the signal path with electrolytics or film and other with high quality 105C capacitors
- Changed all carbon input potentiometers to sealed cermet type
- Dismantled all the switches, cleaned, deoxed and lubed
- Re-soldered all the soldering points
- Checked all resistors
- Cleaned the board inputs of course!
Pre-amp Board:
- Checked the remaining transistors
- Cleaned of course
- Applied an electronic grade lacquer on the solder side
Final Stage Board:
- Checked all the other transistors and changed or matched HFE (including the 2N3055)
- Changed all carbon BIAS, SYMMETRY, 60Votls adjust potentiometers to sealed cermet type
- Increased the output capacitors value
Power Supply:
- Added a filter film capacitor to protect the main switch for sparks and line interferences
- Checked all the transistors
- Changed the electrolytic capacitors with high quality 105C capacitors
- Cleaned, deoxed and lubed all the switches
- Changed and increased the values of the bridge rectifier (the factory value is borderline)
Linear potentiometers:
- Cleaned, deoxed and lubed
- Added dust a protection
Aesthetic:
- Changed the front panel
- Repainted the side panels and heatsink with factory spec colour
- Polished and oiled the Rosewood top cover
- Changed and painted the heatsink transistors covers
- Changed the slider windows
After the usual commissioning and over 200 hours burning-in, here are the test results (I do not have all the instruments to perform all the test but the following are a good indication of the performance)
Thanks to all!
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Very well done - you have clearly now have an excellent example of the breed! And very satisfying to have done it yourself.
Peter
Oh! one last thing... the flower pot is fake OK?!
Peter: Very well done - you have clearly now have an excellent example of the breed! And very satisfying to have done it yourself.
Thank you Peter!
It was an involving project honestly. When I got it, one channel was dead and the second was humming like crazy. The power switch was stuck ON, wasn't smelling good and all light were off. I really flipped a coin with this one but turned into my favour finally.
I did other projects of course but nothing close to this.
But honestly, what surprising me the most is how powerful and smooth it is. I had it auditioned by a close friend of mine which is a true audiophile and he couldn't believe how detailed it was. Trust me, it was a true moment of joy and satisfaction.
The following week, I bought the Beomaster 1000 and also a 4400...
Let's see how they turn out!
Great job ! I hope you get years of pleasure from it.
Jacques
I'm already enjoying it Thanks!
valve1: Great job ! I hope you get years of pleasure from it.
Merci Jacques for the good word,
It is a fantastic machine and loving it so much already.
I didn't,'t count all the money I put into it; it was a "cost no objet" type of project but I would say above $500.00 US of parts only. I choose only top of the line parts and the front panel alone count for more than half of the entire invested money. If it runs another 40 years or so then it is a good return on the investment.
But I'm curious to know why you wouldn't use the Celection Ditton? I can't speak for the 66 as they are much bigger than the 33 I have but I find them very efficient, much more than the Dynaco A25 test mules I have. I wanted to build a system with stuff from the same era and as you can see, I also added a lava lamp to keep the 70's spirit. I might replace them with a pair of Beovox 3000 type 6220 (10" + tweeter 2 way) from the BL5000 vineyard but I'm also curious to know your suggestion.
Best regards,
chartz:As they say in the US of A, kudos! What an astounding job you did Jean - you can be proud of it. How much hard-earned money did you put in this project? I know what this truly wonderful integrated sounds like, and I am confident that you will enjoy it. I wouldn't use Celestion speakers though - I have Ditton 66s. The Beolab will do wonders with modern speakers! En un mot, bravo ! C'est superbe. You will also love the 4400, which is my second favourite B&O device. It has been in use every day since its renovation a few years ago and I think your friend will be equally impressed...
What an astounding job you did Jean - you can be proud of it. How much hard-earned money did you put in this project?
I know what this truly wonderful integrated sounds like, and I am confident that you will enjoy it. I wouldn't use Celestion speakers though - I have Ditton 66s. The Beolab will do wonders with modern speakers!
En un mot, bravo ! C'est superbe.
You will also love the 4400, which is my second favourite B&O device. It has been in use every day since its renovation a few years ago and I think your friend will be equally impressed...
Impressive work Jean, I will lean to your way of doing it on my next BL 5000, You will enjoy this amp more than any other B&O amp out there, when you finish your BM 4400 that one too, BTW I have a BM 4400 for parts here so if needed contact me.
Looking forward to your next thread
2nd attempt
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Nice touch with the similar vintage Lava Lamp. Groovy... ☮️
Impressive work well done! Enjoy using it!
Hi Soren,
If you decide to dismantle the switch assemblies; it is a tough work requiring precision and patience. If you can avoid it, do so. Mine were all sticky and noisy when switching sources but now there are dead quiet and smooth.
I might need a part actually, upon opening the 4400, I noticed a missing clip, I guess, which hold the tuner dial to the cable.
We'll keep in touch!
Søren Mexico: Impressive work Jean, I will lean to your way of doing it on my next BL 5000, You will enjoy this amp more than any other B&O amp out there, when you finish your BM 4400 that one too, BTW I have a BM 4400 for parts here so if needed contact me. Looking forward to your next thread 2nd attempt
Thanks everyone for your support, it motivates to do some more!
Great forum!
Yes, I think I have the virus Jacques,
Not only because it is a B & O; It is a combination of many factors where it becomes emotional.
I started to restore vintage European equipments like DUAL and UHER because I prefer the Euro sound compared to Japanese sound and also this blend of clean design with accents of exotic wood that attracts me a lot.
But this Beolab 5000 is really sitting in a class apart where, at the time, it was a vanguard and high-end machine.
To bring back such a beast to life is very rewarding, in the sense that it is a complex machine, precise and it is amazing how much we could conceive such a machine at the time.
It is the first restoration where I get so much satisfaction from listening and also that the hours invested were worth it.
Let's keep them alive
chartz:That's the whole point Wally! And perhaps you don't know it yet, but you've already contracted the Beovirus!
And perhaps you don't know it yet, but you've already contracted the Beovirus!