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
This is my first post/question, so I'll introduce myself. Growing up, I had a friend whose dad had a B&O stacking system, probably the 5500, in his basement and a tangential-tracking record player (a BeoGram 4000?) in the attic. I was really taken with it all. In my early 20s, my first record players (acquired from the same guy who was phasing out records for CDs) were a BeoGram 1902 and a 2202. The 1902 remains in deep storage and I either sold or gave away the 2202 at some point (oops).
Decades later, after a long hiatus, I've decided to try to build a full Bang & Olufsen system around a tangential-tracking turntable. I happened upon a good deal on a BeoGram 5500 locally (Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA) that needs some modest work. It's wired for the UK and needs a cartridge.
So first, for the short term, I'm buying a cable from Sounds Heavenly to make the 5500 useable with my Sansui AU-717 integrated amp. Next, I thought I'd buy the SMMC4 cartridge from Soundsmith -- it seems easier and less risky than trying to find a reliable B&O cartridge.
The last thing (I think) I'll need to get this UK-wired 5500 working on US voltage is either to rewire it (although my experience and skills with this are limited), find a local service option (I have no idea where at this point), or -- the easiest option -- find a voltage converter.
I think the 5500's power consumption is pretty modest -- less than 10 watts if I'm reading the specs right -- so I'm guessing a 100 watt step up/step down converter like this one would work: https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-voltage-converter-Transformer-Charging/dp/B00EEJZQ5W/.
Am I on the right track? Does anyone have a better recommendation? Any general advice about BeoGram 5500s or on starting to build a vintage B&O system?
Changing the power supply wiring is really not difficult and any competent electronics engineer armed with a page from the service manual should be able to make the necessary change. The service manual will also advise changing the fuse.
Regards Graham
Thank you, Graham, I appreciate the reply! I may try a local hi-fi shop while I'm waiting for my cable and cartridge. I guess I was going for the quickest way to start using my new equipment.
Any other opinions about BeoGrams? I'm eager for knowledge! Thanks again!
Harry
Wow, this post really didn't spark much conversation! Oh well -- I'll keep trying!
I've ordered the Soundsmith SMMC4 cartridge and the 7-pin/RCA cable from Sounds Heavenly. I've discovered that there are service manuals posted online for basically every B&O product, so I'm weighing trying to convert my UK 5500 to US voltage myself, with a little help from a friend who's good with a soldering iron. I need to figure out what fuse to put in then.
I also have a non-functioning BeoMaster 5000 that, whatever else may be wrong with it, definitely needs a new power cord (plug was cut off) and a new fuse (it's burnt on one end). If anyone knows of a technician in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) who works on Bang & Olufsen, or even someone with enough knowledge to help me figure out if it's worth trying to fix (or if I'm better off holding out for a BeoMaster 5000 or 5500 that's already been restored). I'd be grateful for any advice!
Thank you!
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I have performed the change from 230v to 110v and it is really simple to do. The key is the diagram in the service manual.