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
Hi all, I guess this will be my first post here at Beoworld forums! Hello First, I am a big fan of B&O products, in terms of design at least. Because I have little to no experience with B&O in terms of sound. The only encounter I can remember is some 70s gear all in rosewood that my uncle had. I loved those hidden eq sliders behind the panel. Anyway, I have never since, heard music on B&O systems and my own systems through the years have mainly consisted of gear from swedish Audio Pro, JBL, Sansui and Marantz. The latter have been an interest of late since I just love good looking vintage gear with warm analog sounds. And this brings me to B&O. Tomorrow I am picking up a pair of Beovox Redline RL 140 and a pair of RL6000s. These look just amazing! I am not expecting much since they are in plastic enclosures, and I predict I will need to refoam rotten rings (already bookmarked those brilliant posts by Søren and Leslie ), but I would love a B&O system to go with these.I have been looking in awe at Beomaster 6000 and 8000, they look just brilliant, but how do they sound? How could I not have discovered these earlier?! Basically, I need some insights and thoughts from you experienced people on these and other B&O that you find sought-after. Maybe do some rankings; rarest, best looking, best sounding etc.. Its all a matter of perception of course, but I am very curious nontheless. Best,Per
The 8000 is a superb receiver but very complex. Once serviced, it offers the most power of any of the B&O receivers and was built to be the very best that B&O could manage. Having had one of these and the 4400, I personally prefer the 4400 but I would not argue with anyone who preferred the 8000. The only problem with this era of kit is that they were not made for CD so you will need a non matching unit and they are truly huge! They also weigh a proverbial ton! There are quite a few 8000s around so not very rare but that was because they were good! I suggest getting Tim Jarman's book for the very best guide to recent B&O. A good read anyway!
Peter
Per:Maybe do some rankings; rarest, best looking, best sounding etc.. Its all a matter of perception of course, but I am very curious nontheless. Best,Per
Hi Per, and welcome to Beoworld,
I would certainly agree with Peter about the BM8000 and the BM4400 in terms of their sonic capability (and also the size and weight of the 8000!)
It is very difficult to rank equipment from a period covering 50 years or so, particularly in terms of looks. However, there are some systems and pieces of equipment that seem to crop up on most people's lists of desirable 'Vintage' B&O kit. The pieces I would rate as outstanding by decade might include.
60s - The Beolab 5000 amplifier and Beomaster 5000 tuner. Still widely regarded as outstanding pieces of equpment by any standards.
70s - The Beogram 4000, probably the most iconic of all B&O pieces and possibly the best combination of aesthetics and engineering B&O ever produced.
The Beomaster 4400 - not a particulary radical piece of styling but arguably the best sounding B&O receiver.
Beovox S45.2 - a really good speaker that is quite possibly the best small passive speaker B&O made and the veneers are very good quality. If you have the space, the Beovox M100 is (by reputation) probably even better, with an accuarte and musical bass that goes way down, but it is big, very heavy and the bass can boom a bit in small rooms.
80s - The Beolab 8000 system - (which includes the BM8000 you mention, a Beogram and a Beocord) - used with a Beogram CDX. The CDX is an early Phillips based CD player but stiil sounds really good and is visually one of the prettiest CD players ever made. It also works well with the BM 8000 and has many visual clues with the Beogram 8002 from that system. As Peter says, this system can go 'off'' and is a very sophisticated set of electronics. For example, the Beocord 9000 is an incredibly complex piece of kit, including self calibration. Sorting out problems is probably not for the fainthearted or the technically inept (like me). The Beoolab pieces can all be operated by remote.
As can the the original B&O stacking system (the 5000) with a record player, tuner/amp and casette deck. This takes up very little space and with the addition of the CD5500 is a fine system.
Excellent speakers from this period might include the massive MS150s and the MC120.2s/S120s. I love the MC120.2s which are very accurate but, like the S45.2s, a bit bass light - not a charge you could level against the MS150s.
As for the 90's, I'm not sure we are into vintage any more - no wood finishes on the Hi Fi. However, the Beocenter 9500 is a fine CD/Tape/radio/Amplifier in one, very beautiful box and has the advantage of being able to work with both passive and active speakers. But the development of active speakers is probably where the use of the term vintage starts to really become inappropriate.
Tim Jarman, who, along with Martin Olsen (Dillen on this site) probably knows as much about vintage B&O as anyone, has a website with lots of information about the kit and an article on why some B&O pieces are particularly rare - it's worth a look Try here http://beomic.beocentral.com/
Cleve
We have both of course neglected to mention the Beomaster 4401, possibly the rarest of the publicly available receivers! I know of two! (And I have one of them!!)
I only know of one BeoMaster 6001
- Dennis
True!
But man I would like to own a BeoMaster 4401 too!
The black fascia looks great, and I really don't understand why they didn't put that model into production...
But Peter, wasn't the BeoGram 4001 invented by you?The BG 4001 a real prototype according to the BeoWorld products page, and I've also seen other sites describing it as a real prototype. Is it you who has started this rumor? In that case, I must say you've done a great job fooling so many B&O enthusiasts.
The Beomaster 6001 was never publicly available.Same goes for Beolab 1100 and Beocord 2700.The Beomaster 4401 can be discussed. B&O says that it was and obviously a few managed to creep out but they werenever in the catalogues and so far they were all (both known) red label units.
Beogram 4001; see Peters post above.
Martin
Dennis: Is it you who has started this rumor?
The lp peter has on is probably "Rumours "....
Dillen:Beogram 4001; see Peters post above.
Shouldn't it be called 4003?
--mika
Per:From what I gather most B&O receivers only have DIN inputs?
An odd model or two will have RCA connections (in addition to DINs) for some inputs / outputs, but don't let that limit your choices. A cheap adapter is all that is needed to connect the DINs with anything else.
Per:Also, anyone got the Beomaster 2000 from the seventies? Looks beautiful with teak and black panels!
Yes! It's an excellent receiver as well. I wouldn't be unhappy at all to have one of those as my only system.
Sweet! So a plausible chain would be Ipad(running spotify)->AppleTV->DAC->RCA2DIN-adapter->receiver? And one would connect it to the tape-input I presume? Do you recommend any adapters?
Apparently the 2000 is rosewood. Will definitely consider the 2000 yeah
tournedos: Dillen:Beogram 4001; see Peters post above. Shouldn't it be called 4003?
That would've made sense too, yes but I suppose the -01 was adapted from the matching Beomaster.
What I have is what I´m looking for least.
What I don't have is what I´m looking for most.
Everything else is just a matter of taste.
/***
http://tinyurl.com/qj9cjsf
I can also recomend BM2000, it sounds superb!
I have the white one with alu-front, for me it is one of 3 best looking Beomasters.
You can find adapter on ebay, there are many of suppliers, e.g:
http://www.ebay.at/itm/BANG-OLUFSEN-B-O-iPod-iPhone-PC-TV-Anschlusskabel-/181025770092?pt=DE_TV_Video_Audio_HiFi_Systeme_Kombinationen&hash=item2a25fa0a6c
That is what you need. It is not the cheapest one, try to find it cheaper...
Vintage Bang & Olufsen
Yeah both the 70s and the 80s version of the 2000 looks like an amazing piece of vintage gear. Which version do you have?
Not exactly the cable I though of, but yeah I found plenty of RCA2Din plugs on ebay.
I have a 70's version of BM2000, this one next to the BM1001 on the pic. My BM2000 was refurbished and refit with new caps and it sounds really, really good. I am using it with (also) white Beovox P50 and I think it is a very nice and good sounding B&O vintage set. Only the tube amplifier Beolab 608 is the one I like more as the BM2000.Sorry if this is not tha cabel you are looking for but yes, you can find any cable you need on Ebay (or other platforms).BR
Really nice looking gear there O master Def on the saved searches list. Cant wait until I find myself a vintage B&O set :)
Spring for a full Beolab 8000 system. No CD player needed:
- get wifi in your home
- connect an Apple Airport Express to the AUX input
- use an iPad mini to control everything
Done, Son!
FlintIronstag: Spring for a full Beolab 8000 system. No CD player needed: - get wifi in your home - connect an Apple Airport Express to the AUX input - use an iPad mini to control everything Done, Son!
I look to utilize my forthcoming refurbished RL140 or the RL60s with a vintage setup. In addition the Beolab 8000s are not to my liking, too modern looking for my taste.
Per: I look to utilize my forthcoming refurbished RL140 or the RL60s with a vintage setup. In addition the Beolab 8000s are not to my liking, too modern looking for my taste.
Do I see one more member that has been infected with the BeoVirus.
The BL 8000 design fits in in nearly all surroundings and the sound is top. I have a pair and they are a good addition to use for black side amps or just to keep the FS quiet.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
I think he means the BeoLab 8000 system, as he also wrote.
That means BeoMaster 8000, BeoGram 8000 (or 8002), BeoCord 8000 (or 8002, 8004, 9000) and a pair of MS 150s (MS 150.2). Together it was called BeoLab 8000.
Oh, my bad, I presumed it was just called Beosystem 8000, but I looked it up and it is indeed called the Beolab 8000 system I was confused and thought about the active speaker set. Nevertheless, I am definitely considering the BM8000 and a Beogram 8000
Søren: I sure am infected
Søren Mexico: just to keep the FS quiet.
just to keep the FS quiet.
Enlighten a newborn Beobaby
Per: Søren Mexico: just to keep the FS quiet. Enlighten a newborn Beobaby
FS = Fabric Selector = female of the species
I was shocked to see in another thread (http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/3691/33237.aspx#33237) that apparently they are also found in finland
So far there have been FS sightings in the homes of Beoworlders in the US of A, Mexico (aka the US of M), and Australia
I am beginning to worry that the Beovirus may be genetically linked to Patchwork Virus and other variants
BeoNut since '75
elephant:FS = Fabric Selector = female of the species
Correction; attached female.
valve1: elephant:FS = Fabric Selector = female of the species Correction; attached female.
an attached female (i,e. girl friend, partner, wife) who collects fabrics and sewing machines
in my case I lost my son's bedroom that was becoming my beomuseum to an avalanche of cloth and husqvarnas
elephant: valve1: elephant:FS = Fabric Selector = female of the species Correction; attached female. an attached female (i,e. girl friend, partner, wife) who collects fabrics and sewing machines in my case I lost my son's bedroom that was becoming my beomuseum to an avalanche of cloth and husqvarnas
As the original member who had (has) a fabric selector, I respectfully request the definition also reflect that one has had something Beo-related modified to appease the female. See my avatar.
Rich: elephant: valve1: elephant:FS = Fabric Selector = female of the species Correction; attached female. an attached female (i,e. girl friend, partner, wife) who collects fabrics and sewing machines in my case I lost my son's bedroom that was becoming my beomuseum to an avalanche of cloth and husqvarnas As the original member who had (has) a fabric selector, I respectfully request the definition also reflect that one has had something Beo-related modified to appease the female. See my avatar.
your sacrifice and pain was noted at the time
the_o_master: I can also recomend BM2000, it sounds superb! I have the white one with alu-front, for me it is one of 3 best looking Beomasters.
3 best looking Beomasters... I have 3 out of the 4 versions they were made in...
Well -there's a lot of good-looking Beomasters. It's hard to say which one is best looking...My personal favourites are the 1900/2400 series and their successors. I guess my absolute favourite is the BM 4500.
But most sought after must be the 4401 as mentioned earlier -as it is impossible go get your hands on...
very nice, all 3 of them!
I have also the one with the black front but not so nice as yours...
and this one whith oak and alu is very nice and I think also very rare. There was one in ebay.de aprox. 2 months ago in near mint condition. Didi you buy it?
Although not Beomaster, my favorite is (as noticeable from my avatar) the Beolab 608...
elephant: FS = Fabric Selector = female of the species I was shocked to see in another thread (http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/3691/33237.aspx#33237) that apparently they are also found in finland So far there have been FS sightings in the homes of Beoworlders in the US of A, Mexico (aka the US of M), and Australia I am beginning to worry that the Beovirus may be genetically linked to Patchwork Virus and other variants
Hahaha, that is almost too funny! My GF is all good with my gear (no pun intended ). Luckily, for now, her obsession lies with knitting and I dont need to give up too much room for that, yet.
Rich: Those speakers look wonderful psychedelic.
Steffen: Holy macaroni! Nice set there man. The 2000 is such a beautiful piece of art, especially the teak(oak)/alu combo. Definately on my want list :)
Lovely collection of excellent receivers. Only ever had the black and wood one myself. One of the best sounding series as well. The allied 3400 is also a real treat with perhaps the most complex FM dial ever made!
After following your thread and reading your comments, the blessed BeoVirus starts acting up again, my plan will now be changed a little, it was to finish what I have here and in TX, and then go serious looking for a Beocord reel to reel, finish my BeoBar and get it all set up each set in a room. Now I may have to go looking for the reel to reel AND a BM 2000 or 3400, I do have a set of P45s to go with them, I could use my BG 2404 with these too, but that will split up the 2400 set, so I will have to wait and see, I have allways had a good eye toward the BG 1700, not in the product line for neither 2000 or 3400, but what the heck. My BG 1202 is reserved for the Beobar together with BM 901 and Bvox. 1600s.
So here goes
Beosound 3000, BL 8000, together with all the black side, Skybox, Blu-ray, PC, flat screen. Living room
5000 stack (BM, BC, BG and CD50) and P 45s (BL 4000 until P45s are done) Dining room
BM 4000, BG TX2, Bvox panel 3000, Office
BM 4400, Bvox 3702, sound from black side TV and CD player, bed room
BM 2400, BG 2404, Bvox, S45s (83) workshop
BM 901, BG 1202, Bvox 1600 BeoBar
Then to get is: For the Bar Beocord Reel to Reel. For the bed room a CD50.
We are planning to extend the living room onto the now terrace and make a kind of green zone there, and that would be a good place for BM 2000 and affiliated. I may go looking for something small for the kitchen, and speakers for the garage to connect to the BM 901.
When it all is up and running I will get a FS anti BeoVirus injection and live happy ever after.
I will never ever buy a BM/BL 5000 or speakers for it and neither look for S75s or S120 M150 speakers, I promise
the_o_master: very nice, all 3 of them! I have also the one with the black front but not so nice as yours... and this one whith oak and alu is very nice and I think also very rare. There was one in ebay.de aprox. 2 months ago in near mint condition. Didi you buy it?
Hi there
I think the Black/rosewood version is the most common of those. The alu/oak is quite rare (although I have seen 3 for sale here in Denmark this year). I didn't buy the one on e-bay - I have actually never bought any B&O on e-bay, as we are so Lucky here in Denmark to have lots of B&O ( I mostly look on Danish sites like dba.dk, guloggratis.dk and QXL.dk) - and it's often cheaper here, than on e-bay.
Søren Mexico: -After following your thread and reading your comments, the blessed BeoVirus starts acting up again -When it all is up and running I will get a FS anti BeoVirus injection and live happy ever after.
-After following your thread and reading your comments, the blessed BeoVirus starts acting up again
-When it all is up and running I will get a FS anti BeoVirus injection and live happy ever after.
Haha,
Søren: I bet the 2000 would look great in any environment. And B&O in every possible room, you must must be living in a dream I have first and foremost settled on getting a BM8000 and a BM2000. Maybe more down the line, but these are not easy to find in Norway.
Steffen: I quess those links are the danish equvivalent of the norwegian finn.no/qxl.no etc. Do you think danish users of for instance dba.dk would be open to shipping to Norway?