Beomaster 8000

Hi all,

I need a new amplifier since my 30+ year old jvc has finally given in. I have been researching different vintage amplifiers and I came across the beomaster 8000. I think it looks really cool and I want something that looks stylish, sounds good and has a decent amount of power, I am aware that the 8000 is their most powerful amp. 

I was wondering if anyone has one, if so how does it sound? 

Also (may be a stupid question but oh well), can I use normal speaker cables and different speakers with this amplifier? 

Thanks. 

I was designed as a tour de force to show what B&O could do. It sounds very good and has a massive transformer - double wound - and is otherwise a dual mono amplifier with two completely separate amplifiers.I have now had three and use one in my bedroom.

It uses 2 pin din sockets for the speaker outputs - these are easily obtainable but will limit the thickness of the speaker wire. The inputs are either DIN connectors or RCA sockets. The input levels are adjustable.

Disadvantages:

1. This is a big bit of kit - very heavy because of the transformer but also very big - obviously it will not stack!

2. These are getting old and if I were buying one I would want proof it had been serviced recently or was cheap enough to have it serviced.

3. It is FM only - not a problem for me but maybe for some.

It will power any speaker you want - I am using mine at present with BBC LS3/5A speakers

Have used it with a collection of B&O speakers and other makes - sounds good with anything. It lacks a little of the warmth of some other Beomasters but that is probably down to lack of accuracy in them  rather than the 8000!

Highly recommended - if you have the space!!

 

 

Peter:

3. It is FM only - not a problem for me but maybe for some.

The inclusion of AM would've been pointless for this machine, not at all what is was meant for and not what the target buyers would want,
and something as low-quality as DAB would've been downright ridiculous.

FM is a technology that has been refined through 6-7 decades (first FM radios on the market was around 1955), and
the quality is incredible.

Anyway; DAB is sold as "digital radio", but since you cannot transmit zeros and ones as they are, everything is encoded and
transmitted using frequency modulation (FM).
Did I hear a laugh? 

Martin - also having a Beomaster 8000 in daily use in the livingroom with non-B&O speakers.

You can use non-B&O speakers but the end that connects to the Beomaster will have to have a male, 2-pin DIN plug. Not hard to aquire...just don't ruin a pair of the original B&O made speaker cables that have the nice molded DIN plugs. Save those for a complete B&O system. I'm sure Steve at Sounds Heavenly can whip you up with set of cables for what you want.

I am also a member of a Beomaster 8000 in the living room club :-).  I have always liked the way it sounds. 

-sonavor

I have measured up where it would go, I definitely have enough space which is good. However I don't know where id be able to get such a thing serviced? Would I need to if everything worked fine? Would definitely test it before buying.. 

I have measured up where it would go, I definitely have enough space which is good. However I don't know where id be able to get such a thing serviced? Would I need to if everything worked fine? Would definitely test it before buying.. 

Yh I would not expect dab from such an old system, an fm tuner would be an upgrade in itself as my jvc only had left and right inputs.. 

I would recommend it be restored first. Being from the early 80's the Beomaster is over 30 years old. Plus when buying one used it is difficult to really know what its true history is. It may have been sitting in storage for 20 years...which is not good for electronics. By its design it needs good open space like the top of a cabinet or table. Try to not install it in some enclosed cabinet. If it absolutely has to go in a cabinet then make sure there is good air flow. The input connections for the Beomaster 8000 are a very tight space to access so look and take that into account in deciding if it will fit where you want to place it. The speaker connectors are on the left and right sides of the Beomaster cabinet. Not next to each other like other receivers. So that may affect your installation as well.

-sonavor

Dillen:

Peter:

3. It is FM only - not a problem for me but maybe for some.

The inclusion of AM would've been pointless for this machine, not at all what is was meant for and not what the target buyers would want,
and something as low-quality as DAB would've been downright ridiculous.

FM is a technology that has been refined through 6-7 decades (first FM radios on the market was around 1955), and
the quality is incredible.

Anyway; DAB is sold as "digital radio", but since you cannot transmit zeros and ones as they are, everything is encoded and
transmitted using frequency modulation (FM).
Did I hear a laugh? 

Martin - also having a Beomaster 8000 in daily use in the livingroom with non-B&O speakers.

Don't disagree - but worth mentioning I felt! The problem would be if he lives in a country where FM has been switched off or is about to be. Hoping will be dead before that happens in UK!!

I too have a Beomaster 8000 in rotation as my daily driver and have enjoyed it with both B&O speakers and non-B&O.

Sonavor gave me the same advise regarding the importance of buying a Beomaster that has been serviced when I bought mine a couple years ago. But I’ll add really make sure the person who serviced it has experience experience with B&O and the BM8000.

Anecdotal story:

Mine was fully working when I bought it from an “out of work” electronic technician who stated he had repaired it. 2 months later the output amps blew. When I complained he said he now lived out of state and to help he emailed me a poor copy of the schematics.

All the common failing components due to age in the BM8000 where still in place and his repairs look to have been him fixing the effects of these aged components failing; such as the emitter resisters were replaced but the original trim pots were open and leaky capacitors were still in the output boards and some odd modifications to the power supply boards.

Plus, these sound so much better after receiving maintenance. I would describe it as smooth power with minimal coloration and a great FM receiver.

Peter:

Don't disagree - but worth mentioning I felt! The problem would be if he lives in a country where FM has been switched off or is about to be. Hoping will be dead before that happens in UK!!

So far there are still quite a few FM stations here in the US.  There is a nice classical station that I can pick up. If they ever make it so FM isn't available here I will probably use a small home FM transmitter, hook a computer to it and broadcast my own station. Not that I prefer the radio but I just like having audio components that still function. :-)