Minimalist BeoGram Hi-Fi system

Dear All, 

Here’s OlivierC, I’m a newbie from Italy and I am reading this great forum since a while, thank you as this is a gold mine of information! 

 

I have in my mind a small gift for my sister who’d like to listen to some LP’s at home. 

I am taking inspiration from a couple of older posts as it would be preferred to have a visually inobtrusive solution (the less components, the better) and straightforward for random usage. 

 

Here are the sources of inspiration, thank you Saint Beogrowler! 

 

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/21124.aspx?PageIndex=2

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/29597.aspx

 

Now I am getting a white BeoPlay S3, while I am not sure about the BeoGram I should get. 

For sure it must be RIAA preamplified but I don’t want to spend crazy money as it would not be an audiophile/collector system. 

 

Do you have any suggestion? 

 

Thanks! 

 

OlivierC

 

P.S. I was checking the list of preamp-equipped BeoGrams and I have found inconsistencies between two different resources, i.e. BG3400. 

https://www.beoworld.org/article_view.asp?id=67

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/wikis/memberspages/which-beogram-turntables-need-an-external-pre-amplifier-kit.aspx

OlivierC:

Dear All,

Here’s OlivierC, I’m a newbie from Italy and I am reading this great forum since a while, thank you as this is a gold mine of information!

I have in my mind a small gift for my sister who’d like to listen to some LP’s at home.

I am taking inspiration from a couple of older posts as it would be preferred to have a visually inobtrusive solution (the less components, the better) and straightforward for random usage.

Here are the sources of inspiration, thank you Saint Beogrowler!

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/21124.aspx?PageIndex=2

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/29597.aspx

Now I am getting a white BeoPlay S3, while I am not sure about the BeoGram I should get.

For sure it must be RIAA preamplified but I don’t want to spend crazy money as it would not be an audiophile/collector system.

Do you have any suggestion?

Thanks!

OlivierC

P.S. I was checking the list of preamp-equipped BeoGrams and I have found inconsistencies between two different resources, i.e. BG3400.

https://www.beoworld.org/article_view.asp?id=67

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/wikis/memberspages/which-beogram-turntables-need-an-external-pre-amplifier-kit.aspx

I’m glad this simple setup was an inspiration for you. Really, the cheapest way to go, (if you stick with B&O for a turntable) is to get a non-RIAA preamp turntable and add your own preamp. There are some very small and cheap phono preamps available these days that can be added non-obtrusively. Even a simple box preamp can be hid by the rest of the power cords so I wouldn’t get caught up in the preamp built in.

I’d really avoid a new preamp under $50 as they can hum pretty obnoxiously from my experience.

So, clean looks-simple-cheap and reliable for a newbie I’d go for a radial with RCA connectors: RX2, RX, or BG1700, etc. The cartridge will be the pricy part but the older cart style, MMC20en style radial tables can be found for great prices with an adequate cart.

My 2 younger female friends I put together casual B&O setups with the S3 really love them and both use them more then they expected, for both the Bluetooth part and the vinyl part.

Hi Peter, 

 

thank you for the prompt response! 

 

I am currently considering turntables with the built-in RIAA preamp as I'd like to go the minimalist way, less extra parts as possible. 

 

I am open to consider both B&O and non-B&O options as it follows. 

 

Pro-Ject Essential III Phono, about 300.00 EUR. 

Pros: new, cartridge easily available, low-risk buy

Cons: not a B&O..., less interesting design IMHO

 

BeoGram 3400, starting from 500.00 EUR --> I'm considering EU sellers only, extra-EU sellers means import duties, EXR etc. 

Pros: wonderful design that it would well match the Scandinavian-style interior at my sister's home, most of it all I have a green light from my sister after showing the setups you made! 

Cons: preowned buy can be a hit-or-miss; if needed replacement parts, cartridge and service are much more expensive and hard to find. 

 

To me it is still unclear if BG 3400 includes the preamp: the BeoWorld turntable FAQ page is not listing that model in the preamp-equipped list, while the RIAA Pre-Amplifiers page is including the 3400 in that list. 

 

May you please confirm if BG 3400 includes the built in preamp?

In case it's not, I will consider to add a Pro-Ject Phono Box E in one of the options you have listed (BG RX, RX2 or 1700). 

 

Cheers. 

 

OlivierC

I’m not sure on the BG3400, they rarely come up for sale here in the US. I think the quad preamp was optional in them but i don’t know this for sure. I’ve got a pro-ject phono box-e in the closet and it is a good performer for the cost.

Another non-b&o option that is popular here in the US would be a u-turn audio with built in preamp. Not nearly as sexy as anything B&O made of course.

Quick update: I've just received the BeoPlay S3 complete of the original package and I'm quite exited as it is the 1st B&O product I have purchased.

Now I can definitely say I have dipped my toe in the BeoWater! 

The package is very nice, I have quite a few Apple products and I assume they look at each other as there are similarities on how they present their own devices.

The product looks rock solid and heavy (good sign for audio stuff). 

I really do like the buttons, the texture of the front grille, the care of the design for the wire exit that it is hiding the harness without the need of a plastic cover, while at the same time is providing the orientation of the speaker. 

The rubber feet for positioning - coordinated in white color - are also a nice touch. 

The power cord is directly connected to the speaker, there are no power adapters (well, there is but it is integrated inside the speaker) or any other external boxes. It is very convenient and you don't have to struggle on how to conceal more parts. 

Maybe it's just me but I must admit I had to rely on Google - not the included instructions nor the B&O website! - in order to find explanations on how to turn the S3 on and off (!) and how to change the Bluetooth name of the device (you can do that from the smartphone via the BeoPlay app). 

In addition to that it is a pity that B&O didn't provide the S3 complete with a microUSB/USB-A cable for updating the software: they had the nice idea to include two different power cords, why not the cable that's necessary for updates/troubleshooting?!?

Finally I have connected my iPhone to the speaker and I stream some jazz standards via Spotify, then Keith Jarrett and subsequently Bob Dylan from my preloaded music. 

BT is not the best way for music streaming but the level of detail you hear in strings and guitars is surprising. 

It's not possible to tell the same for bass frequencies but this is not new and my feeling is that most of the B&O customer base is not listening to party music most of the times (as I did when I was younger ). 

Now the next move is to find the right turntable, hoping that my sister is not preferring a white solution as the white BeoGrams are not exactly the cheapest... 

Cheers. 

OlivierC

Congratulations

Nice picture