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heard someone say recently that, at their best, B&O tape decks could outperform Nakamichis. This sounds absurd to me, but given the abundance of B&O equipment being sold for practically nothing in my area, I figured I’d ask around a bit:)
What was B&Os best when it came to decks? And could it really beat a Nakamichi? Sorry for my lack of knowledge on the subject, I am here to learn lol
any help is appreciated
-joshua
Chickene: What was B&Os best when it came to decks? And could it really beat a Nakamichi?
Think I’ll grab a couple 8002s then if it comes down to it. Thanks :)
Beocord 8004 has Dolby C, if that matters.
Martin
Dillen: Beocord 8004 has Dolby C, if that matters. Martin
I had not realized that! I’ll have to keep an eye out on dba for a steal-deal on that model (though I doubt they show up often). thanks for the tip :)
Pat:The best one was the BeoCord 9000, with a Japanese mechanism and computer calibration system but can’t compete with good hifi, even a simple good quality deck. Good hifi cassette machine will have more settings and adjustments, B&O don’t have it. Ok for listening only, for good recording - forget about. Nothing compare to Nak, ReVox, Aiwa, Akai ...
Could be interesting to see specs supporting this.
Here a weblink to 1982 ..., tested the BeoCord 9000:
https://www.audiovintage.fr/leforum/viewtopic.php?p=419952#p419952
Tests in 1985, showed better tape decks outperform the BeoCord 9000: An 8 persons panel performing extensive test procedures. See here the German tests from 1985:
German to English:Klang is SOUNDüberragend is OUTSTANDINGausgezeichnet is EXCELLENTüberdurchschnittlich is ABOVE AVARAGEdurchschnittlich is AVARAGE
You can't be serious? Among many decks, I've had several Naks - I've kept a CR-4 - and never found them to be better than a Beocord 9000 (or a 5000 for that matter).
Jacques
chartz:You can't be serious? Among many decks, I've had several Naks - I've kept a CR-4 - and never found them to be better than a Beocord 9000 (or a 5000 for that matter). Jacques
chartz: You can't be serious?
You can't be serious?
April 1st... naaaahhh
Back in 1983 I bought a Nakamich Dragon cassette deck. I still have it and had it professionally serviced a couple of years ago. It is a great cassette deck and is highly regarded. At the same time I was looked at, and considered, a Beocord 9000. It had similar performance specs and also got good reviews. They cost about the same back then ($1200 to $1500 USD).In the end my choice for the Nakamichi was based on how I was wanting to integrate it into my system at the time. The Nakamichi provided more of a hands on, reel to reel editing type of experience. The Beocord 9000 was a more modern looking, automated system. Both have some really good features. To me they are so different in features (other than recording and playing cassettes) that I see them as an apples to oranges type comparison.Now, many years later, I have been able to pick up some Beocord 9000 decks (as well as some Beocord 8004 decks). After restoring them I can report that they perform really well. Excellent in fact. They record and play cassette tapes as well as any quality cassette deck. But...they all need restoration work by now. Electronics don't do well in storage. They need use. With a restored Beosystem 8000 I have grown to appreciate what B&O had designed with the Beocord 9000 and it has become one of my favorites. Now having both the Nakamichi Dragon and the Beocord 9000 fully restored I can say I would be happy with either...but I enjoy have the luxury of having both :-).
I am not entirely sure why Beocord units sell so low but I have some ideas. For one, there are not a lot of places that will service them. You often see sellers advertising that they work but only need new belts. That is far from the truth. The transport mechanism will require servicing and includes new belts and rubber wheels from Martin (Dillen here on the Forum).These cassette decks have also reached the point where they will likely need some capacitors replaced. A big factor in determining how much restoration work is needed depends on how and where they have been stored all of these years.
Another thing that I think plays against the Beocord decks is that their design is different from all of the Japanese cassette decks (except the Yamaha TC-800). A lot of people want the more common rectangular, front access type cassette decks to integrate with their stereo system rather than a top mount. The truth is, the Beocord units have always been great performing tape decks.Back in 1977 I was looking for a good cassette deck to go with a system that included a Beogram 4002, Luxman L-507 integrated amplifier and a pair of Yamaha NS-670 speakers. I selected the Beocord 5000 (Type 47xx). It was a great cassette deck. I still own it but it is currently out of service until I get around to restoring it...something that is on my to-do list for sure.
-sonavor
Thanks for the comprehensive insight! Last time I tried doing basic repairs on a tape deck I broke the poor thing even further... but on the contrary, I live right in Copenhagen so buying belts from Martin would almost be too easy to resist. Wonder if he does servicing as well...
Hi sonavor, thank you for sharing your opinion. I have become more curious after reading yours. Can you give a sound rating, low 1-10 high, for these BeoCord's?:
BeoCord 5000 from the late 1970's:
BeoCord 8004:
Beocord 9000:
Nakamichi Dragon:
Chickene: Thanks for the comprehensive insight! Last time I tried doing basic repairs on a tape deck I broke the poor thing even further... but on the contrary, I live right in Copenhagen so buying belts from Martin would almost be too easy to resist. Wonder if he does servicing as well...
He does - as time allows.
Robert: Hi sonavor, thank you for sharing your opinion. I have become more curious after reading yours. Can you give a sound rating, low 1-10 high, for these BeoCord's?: BeoCord 5000 from the late 1970's: BeoCord 8004: Beocord 9000: Nakamichi Dragon:
Oh man, I hate those type of subjective comparisons :-)
I can tell you that reviews of those components match what I have experienced and affected my interest in them.I do plan on getting my 1970's BC5000 restored at some point as it is a fine deck but it was pre-metal tapes.The Beocord 8004 sounds the same as the Beocord 9000. The BC8004 just lacks the automated features like tape calibration for a specific type of tape.The Nakamichi has automatic azimuth alignment and manual tape calibration. When those decks are working as they were intended then recording and playing back on each of them should sound equally as good. But you would need to use the same type of tape to really test that. Then there is the test of what do the tapes sound like when recorded on one deck and played back on another. They should all play pre-recorded tapes equally. I didn't buy those type of tapes so I haven't tested with those.That isn't the answer you were asking for but is all I would be comfortable reporting ;-).
Robert: Tests in 1985, showed better tape decks outperform the BeoCord 9000: An 8 persons panel performing extensive test procedures. See here the German tests from 1985: German to English:Klang is SOUNDüberragend is OUTSTANDINGausgezeichnet is EXCELLENTüberdurchschnittlich is ABOVE AVARAGEdurchschnittlich is AVARAGE
Are those ratings in 'ears'? I love that!
Earle: Robert: Tests in 1985, showed better tape decks outperform the BeoCord 9000: An 8 persons panel performing extensive test procedures. See here the German tests from 1985: German to English:Klang is SOUNDüberragend is OUTSTANDINGausgezeichnet is EXCELLENTüberdurchschnittlich is ABOVE AVARAGEdurchschnittlich is AVARAGE Are those ratings in 'ears'? I love that!
B&O stereo gear didn't make it into the USA stereo magazines very often but Hi-Fidelity Magazine in May, 1982 did start off their Beocord 9000 review with this -
"RIGHT UP FRONT, let's give you the bottom line: The Beocord 9000 is not only the finest deck we've ever tested from this redoubtable Danish company, but one of the best decks available from any company."Audio Magazine from July, 1982 wasn't quite as glowing. They found the BC9000 to perform well but didn't immediately understand some of the operational features. They summarized their review with this -
"The B & O deck does not offer some popular features, such as mike/line mixing or a multi -selection program scheme, and it requires a little time to 'make friends.' However, it will deliver excellent responses, superb signal-to-noise ratios, CCC and several time -related functions-all with a great metering scheme for its premium price."
I couldn't find a review of the Beocord 9000 in Stereo Review but reviews you have to always take with a grain of salt anyways.
There is no substitute for trying them out for yourself I'm afraid.
Although you can find great prices on the Beocord equipment used, you will still have to invest a fair amount to get them restored back to full working order. If they are not fully restored then you are just wasting listening time and tape. Nakamichi Dragon cassette decks typically sell for over $1000 USD used and they still require about $600 to $700 in service work to be like new again. The sad thing there is there are probably buyers that just buy them used and put them to use without any servicing...and think they sound fine (or good enough).
Well John, you are spot-on.
Those cassette decks require a fair amount of patience to be brought back to factory specs.
If the head is in good condition, that is!
What's wonderful about the BC9000 is the way you can test its various adjustments with the blink of an LED. Quite unique.