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,
After searching for a long time to purchase a Beogram in good condition, I found one that played at the sellers house (only tested for a few seconds) and is in very good cosmetic condition. I had one of these when I was much younger and have regretted getting rid of it for a long time. I love the look and remembered it sounding very nice. So, I just purchased a Beogram 3000, but so far, things aren't going well.
When I go to play a record, the turntable will play in stereo and sound decent, but after about 1.5 minutes, the sound from the right channel will cut out. Sound still comes through the right speaker, but it is significantly mutes. If I press the button and lift the needle from the record and then resume playing, it will again play in stereo (equal from both channels), but then the sound in the right channel will again cut out again, but in much less time, about 15 to 30 seconds.
Second issue is that when I turn the turntable on and start playing a record, the speed will be less than where it should be. Turning it off and then back on again will result in the turntable playing at a normal speed.
Lastly, is there any regular maintenance that should be performed on this older turntable.
Help/advice will be greatly appreciated.
I would first try switching channels with your phono cables assuming you are not using a DIN connector to confirm the issue is with the 3000. If the channels switch then the culprit is likely the muting switch which is mechanically opened and closed and frequently needs contact cleaning and adjustment. The speed issue is much more of a concern as those motors with their clutches are not easy to service. Have you played with the speed adjustment above the control pad? Does it have the expected effect? Quite frankly, the mechanical reliability of that model was never its strong spot in my experience and motor and cam issues plagued it.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the quick response. I have tried switching the channels and the problem just switches from the right speaker being muted to the left speaker being muted. Can you please provide instructions or a link to perform contact cleaning and adjustment on the muting switch?
Before answering I forgot to ask which type of Beograd 3000 do you have - radial or tangential tracking? My comments a were referring to the older radial one.
The Beogram 3000 that I have is the older version from the early 70's (radial).
Thanks again for helping me through this, the local vintage audio repair shops in/near San Diego won't touch B&O, which surprised me.
I thought that might be the case from your symptoms but wanted to confirm. I've worked on too many 3000's in the 70's and 80's and even back then they were a pain so I am not surprised you can't find someone to assist now 40+years later. I also haven't touched one since. Having said all that the service manual was very sparse as I recall and did not go into lubrication details. I am sure yours needs a good clean a re-lube. A thread that has some useful info for your particular model is https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=44023.
Thanks for the great link on servicing the motor.
Any chance there is some similar info out there on the muting switch? My Google-foo hasn't been strong, I mostly find info on the more recent Beogram 3000.
Thanks again
With the sound in cut-off mode, disconnect the cable and measure the resistance. If it is <10 ohms then your muting switch has not disengaged fully an you will need to physically adjust its contacts. If you measure the resistance >10K then you have a cartridge or cable connection problem.