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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
If I could only have one piece or set of B&O, what would it be and why?
In my case, it would be a piece that I own but don't have as it is lent out!
The Beocenter 9500. This is in my view the perfect piece of B&O.
It is beautiful, following the long and low styling of the BL1900 as well as the raised display of the 8000 system.
It is very easy to use - the display only shows what you need - the so called electronic lid , not to be confused with the sliding covers that hide the tape player and CD player.
It has a superb CD player - the best use the TDA1541A DAC which is still my favourite sounding CD player.
It has lots of connections so will attach to the TV and also to the Beoport.
It will work with a Beolink 7000 which is still the best B&O remote.
It has Powerlink sockets and normal speaker sockets.
The perfect device. Must get another one !
Peter
Hmmm, tricky!
For me it would be a toss up between a few things.
The 9500 for all of the reasons Peter says.
Or a White stack system as they do look stunning and sound great.
But I'm more of a vintage fan really and I absolutely love my Hi-Fi amp 610. Beautiful looking, sounding and even smelling when its burning some dust of the old valves. A treat for all the senses, heck I reckon it would probably taste good too!
Peter:The perfect device.
I agree. I love mine!
//Bo.A long list...
In the vintage department my favorite is the BM 2400, with BG 2404, P45s, and the simple remote control, even a blind man can control the basics without problems, the elegant flat look fits in everywhere, the lid for the hidden controls is just such a simple solution that add to the elegance of the BM.
Of the newer line my Beosound with BL 8000, elegant design and easy controlled with the Beo4, not as simple controlled as the BM 2400, but more options.
Sound vise they both do the job, but in each their own way.
How they taste I will leave open until I eat one, but the first bite will be from the BM 2400, the look activate my saliva glands.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
With all due respect to Peter, it can't be the Beocenter 9500 for me - no turntable.
The one piece I own that would be the last to go would be Beogram 4002.
The one piece I do not own that I want more than any other is Beomaster 4401. But that's Unobtanium.
The one piece I do not own that I want more than any other and am likely to find in my lifetime is Beocenter 3500. Or maybe Beocord 9000. I flip flop a lot.
I think it has to be the Beosystem 4500 - it does everything you need a system to do and looks absolutely stunning - you just need a long table and no grubby hands around!
Dave - Birmingham, UK
Very tricky to decide.
As I mentioned in another thread yesterday I am stuck between 6000,8000 and 6500 for different reasons.
My Beosystem 6000 is a complete white edition early '80s with matching sc60 stand and the choice of Beovox S80.2 or S120. It is a rare piece of B&O that not many has these days. I live with the options of BM,BC and BG just fine. I do have my CDX if I need it but I have yet to connect it.
I have had the Beolab 8000 in palisander. I only have a pair of teak Beovox M150 which sounds good but needs some make ower someday left from that system. However I started to collect the 8000 system again but in white edition and got the BM8000 + BC9000 so far and maybe a sc80 stand on hold but I am not in a hurry but I do like the Beolab 8000 system though it takes a little more space than the 6000 system. I can live with that but the SC80 stands are rare to find and for me it has to be white.
Then it comes to the Beosystem 6500. It started of with a black/chrome BM,CD and BC + a Beo4 then added Beogram and another BC + 2 MCP's and a BM as spare. It all went well and I like the functionallity with all the options like linking and so forth. The sound is not bad and I like the design + it does not take up a lot of space.
So what would be perfect I thought at the time. The 6500 in white? Well in any case I went and had a look at a cheap Beocenter 9500 in Copenhagen. Then I was told that the seller had a 6500 in white with all 4 main units also for sale. Fast forward 2 years and the system is now waiting for me to go to Dillen to pick it up. The old 6500 all got sold but this one is a keeper.
I can't say what my favorite B&O system are as yet. I love my BC6000 just as much as my BC9000.
For radio my bm4400 with bv 45.2
For cds the bs 9000 with bl1s
For stunning looks the 4500 with 5000 speakers
If i had to choose...... I need them all ! :-))
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Peter: The Beocenter 9500. This is in my view the perfect piece of B&O.
Strongly agree, especially with BL5000 and several MCL link rooms!
That is a tough one...
The Beocenter 9000 series certainly do have all the B&O flair and I still regret selling my 9300.
I think I would stick to my Beogram 4000 or Beolab 5000 amplifier if I was to own one B&O product
It would be the Beolab 8000 if I was to stick with a complete set of B&O.
Vinyl records, cassettes, open reel, valve amplifiers and film photography.
Peter,
It is likely that you know my answer before I reply, but hands down my treasured Beogram 4000 is my favourite. If I had to sell everything I own, this would be the last item I would part with.
Why? Because it is perfect, nothing in my collection can match its performance, and I have six turntables. Sure the Beogram 4004 comes fairly close and the Beogram 8002 closer still, but the 4000 is a standout and not just in performance, but also esthetics….. this classic is beautiful.
As for your choice the BeoCenter 9500, I salute you as that would be my second choice, that is to say my BeoCenter 9000. The 9500 has a few technical tweaks and those lovely polished panels, but essentially they are the same unit.
I love the remote that controls everything and the sound quality is quite remarkable with S75 speakers.
I am not certain that the cassette sound quality is up to the Beocord 9000, but honestly, who cares?
But back to your query: Beogram 4000!
Jeff
Beogram 4000, Beogram 4002, Beogram 4004, Beogram 8000, Beogram 8002, Beogram 1602. Beogram 4500 CD player, B&O CDX player, Beocord 4500, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 8004, Beocord 9000, Beomaster 1000, Beomaster 1600, Beomaster 2400.2, Beomaster 2400.2, Beomaster 4400, Beomaster 4500, Beolab 5000, Beomaster 5000, BeoCenter 9000. BeoSound Century, S-45.2, S-45.2, S-75, S-75, M-75, M-100, MC 120.2 speakers; B&O Illuminated Sign (with crown & red logo). B&O grey & black Illuminated Sign, B&O black Plexiglas dealer sign, B&O ash tray, B&O (Orrefors) dealer award vase, B&O Beotime Clock. Navy blue B&O baseball cap, B&O T-shirt X2, B&O black ball point pen, B&O Retail Management Binder
great thread, glad to see the beosystem 4500 gets a mention, not had mine for long but very pleased with it, gets a lot of attention from visitors who can't believe how old it is, my dream is to have a turntable with it but it's almost impossible to get that out here to Thailand without it getting trashed, one day
Peter:If I could only have one piece or set of B&O, what would it be and why?In my case, it would be a piece that I own but don't have as it is lent out!
Dom
2x BeoSystem 3, BeoSystem 5000, BeoSystem 6500, 2x BeoMaster 7000, 2 pair of BeoLab Penta mk2, AV 7000, Beolab 4000, BeoSound 4000, Playmaker, BeoLab 2500, S-45, S-45.2, RL-140, CX-50, C-75, 3x CX-100, 3x MCL2 link rooms, 3x Beolab 2000, M3, P2, Earset, A8 earphones, A3, 2x 4001 relay, H3, H3 ANC, H6, 2014 Audi S5 with B&O sound, and ambio
I am very partial to my BS9000/BL8000 combo, to me it's an iconic set, a complete rethinking of what a CD changer should look like. Instead of hiding the discs inside a metal box, it glorifies them by displaying them all.
That being said, there is so much good design I'm hard pressed to pick one favorite. Naturally mine is flawlessly designed , but I would also have to rate the Beocenter 9500 ranks about 2nd to me. That long, low, minimalist design, so sleek and sexy, that covers about all useful media, would I think have to be my next choice. If my BS9000 ever goes tango uniform, and I had to replace it with something older I would have to give strong consideration to the 9500. It would look gorgeous on the low cabinets I'm getting for my living room, and wouldn't look out of place with my Beogram 3000 tangential.
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
It is my Beocenter 3300. It has that calm, but still warm looks, promising good powerful music. I do my record playing with it. I also love my BS4500 from witch I have BM and BG cd on the wall in other room.
blah-blah and photographs as needed
I am astonished, yet very, very pleased to see all the praise for the BeoCenter 9000 family.
As some of you may recall my BeoCenter 9000 was un-chivalrously dumped at a recycling dump BUT in its original B&O shipping box, so it was not cosmetically damaged.
I had a devil of a time with the errant CD player, but once replaced and the BeoCenter made whole, the experience has been wonderful.
The cassette player was apparently never used as cassettes are “old” technology, so with the replacement CD player, the 9000 is virtually like NEW condition.
This 9000 came with a pair of S-75 speakers which are an excellent match for it and the second set of S-45’s were are a marvelous, really fantastic addition for my Beomaster 2400. (I honestly had no idea the 2400 could sound so GOOD!)
Once I mastered the tone control the 9000 has been a real delight.
I am especially pleased with the STRONG FM reception in that the 9000 has no trouble in bringing all the Seattle FM stations crystal clear as opposed to my Beomaster 2400. I don’t know why there should be such a huge difference, but there is.
And remember this BeoCenter 9000 was FREE! Had it not been for a good friend who works at the recycling plant and knew of my love of B&O products, it would have been crushed and what a waste that would have been!
Thanks Peter for starting this most interesting and informative thread.
Absolutely agree.
The 9500 was my first B&O purchase in the mid '90s and is still in daily use today.
Integration of digital music simply via the aux port and controlled using 'Remote' on the iPad maintains it's appeal and functionality.
The fantastic integration of form and functionality does indeed make it he best B&O product in my opinion.
Very difficult question Peter but very interesting to ...
I can not limit the choice to one set, sorry.
At least I would have one set of every era:
- From 60's I would choose Beolab 608/610, with 42F Deck, Minette 609K tuner and Type S speakers.
- From 70's it would be my set containing of white Beomaster 2000 / white Beogram 3400 / Beovox P50 of course white to.
- From 80's (or let say late 80's) it would be the my Beosystem 6500 white.
But if I have to have choose again I am not sure if the result would be same :-)
Not easy choice ...
Vintage Bang & Olufsen
A tricky question. I must settle on one piece of equipment I do possess.
I have a dilemma. I am well and truly tempted to answer BEOGRAM 4000 like Jeff...
However, I think the Beolab 5000 integrated amp is another firm favourite of mine, and the difference will be a tiny 1%.
Runner-up BEOGRAM 4000 49% BEOLAB 5000 51%!
Sorry 4000!
I too admire the Beocenter 9500. It would be my third choice.
Jacques
chartz: A tricky question. I must settle on one piece of equipment I do possess. I have a dilemma. I am well and truly tempted to answer BEOGRAM 4000 like Jeff... However, I think the Beolab 5000 integrated amp is another firm favourite of mine, and the difference will be a tiny 1%. Runner-up BEOGRAM 4000 49% BEOLAB 5000 51%! Sorry 4000! I too admire the Beocenter 9500. It would be my third choice.
Jacques, I'd be interested in knowing what ONE CASSETTE DECK you'd keep, regardless of brand.
I've kept only one non-B&O deck, a virtually new Nakamichi CR-4. This is a truly great deck. But I must say a CR-7 would be it if I could find a cheap one...
B&O?
I've kept these four:
1) BEOCORD 9000
2) BEOCORD 5000 (80's)
3) BEOCORD 2200 (what a great little deck!)
4) BEOCORD 5000 (type 4715, a wonder it works at all, but it does).
My favourite is the 9000, the one I'd keep.
But pre-recordeds will always be played on the newer 5000, the best for this task. The 9000 is not so good at it.
The BeoLab looks most impressive, so both it and the 4000 are excellent choices! See if Peter will let you keep both.
chartz: I've kept only one non-B&O deck, a virtually new Nakamichi CR-4. This is a truly great deck. But I must say a CR-7 would be it if I could find a cheap one... B&O? I've kept these four: 1) BEOCORD 9000 2) BEOCORD 5000 (80's) 3) BEOCORD 2200 (what a great little deck!) 4) BEOCORD 5000 (type 4715, a wonder it works at all, but it does). My favourite is the 9000, the one I'd keep. But pre-recordeds will always be played on the newer 5000, the best for this task. The 9000 is not so good at it.
I cast my “vote” along with Jacques for the Beocord 9000.
I have a rebuilt Beocord 8004 which some reviewers hold in higher regard to the “overly complicated” Beocord 9000, however it does just an over-all superb job that it is hard to fault.
That said in a balanced test between the 8004 and the 9000 I don’t know if I could tell the difference between the two.
As for pre-recorded tapes, I am not certain that either deck “likes” pre-recorded tapes, but it has a lot to do with the quality and condition of the ageing tapes.
chartz: I've kept only one non-B&O deck, a virtually new Nakamichi CR-4. This is a truly great deck. But I must say a CR-7 would be it if I could find a cheap one...
A fully working CR-7 is going for about $650 on Ebay in the States. I would like one as well. Or perhaps an RX-505.
I got a BX-300 for about $80 and only had to put a new <$10 idler tire on it to get it fully functional. It is a superb machine for prerecorded playback. Have not done any recording of note with it as yet, though I did find a source for new Maxell XLII cassettes so I will be doing some recording soon.
Working on a BX-125 right now. Waiting on a belt/idler tire kit. Got the BX-125 locally for $25.
Not sure how it hasn't made its way into this thread, yet, but as an audiophile *FIRST*, I would trade ALL of my gear *AND* a BeoCenter 9500 for a pair of BeoLab 5s. If you HAD to make due with JUST BL5s and no other B&O gear you could because of the line inputs and digital input.
Second choice would be the BL7000 itself. It is after-all, the piece de resistance that brought me to B&o in the first place. I have my eye on a 9500 to go with it as a matter of fact *sneaky*. Though the BM7000 works fine for this also.
Third would be BS9000/BL1.
So after spending some time on this forum, I now see that for those of us interested in "classic" though not yet vintage B&O, the BeoCenter 9500 is pretty much the holy grail of systems.
About 6 years ago I started with B&O.Lots of stuff bought and sold (limited space and a FS )
The ones I kept (and will keep) are in my signature / profile...
I tried to achive a collection with set-ups from different eras, and for me each system got its own "must have" factor.60s/70s: first HiFi - Beolab 5000 / Beomaster 5000 (with the Beovox S45.2)80s/90s: classic stack components - Beosystem 7000 black (with Beovox 5000 flat Panels)00s/10s: iconic Beosound 9000 (with Beolab 4000s)
If I had to choose just one?
The Beolab 5000 - for the looks and the rarity (in the very nice condition it is in - see my avatar).
So, my collection is complete...
Ralf
Living Room: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-2 (Center), Beolab 9 (Fronts), Beolab 8000 (Rears), no Subwoofer. Screen: Sony KD-85XH9096Dining Room: Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 4000 on stands, fed by Amazon Echo Show 8Home Cinema: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-4 (Center), Beolab 1 (Fronts), Beolab 4000 (Rears). Projector: Sony VPL-HW55Home Office: Beosystem 3, Beolab 7-4, Beolab 5000, Screen: Sony KD-55XH9005 on Beovision 7-40 stand, ML to Beosound 9000 MK3 and Beosound 5/Beomaster 5 (1 TB SSD version)Bedroom: Sony KD-65XH9077, Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 6002 and Beolab 11 (all white, wall-mounted)
In storage: Beolab 5000/Beomaster 5000 (1960s).
Playdrv4me: Not sure how it hasn't made its way into this thread, yet, but as an audiophile *FIRST*, I would trade ALL of my gear *AND* a BeoCenter 9500 for a pair of BeoLab 5s. If you HAD to make due with JUST BL5s and no other B&O gear you could because of the line inputs and digital input. Second choice would be the BL7000 itself. It is after-all, the piece de resistance that brought me to B&o in the first place. I have my eye on a 9500 to go with it as a matter of fact *sneaky*. Though the BM7000 works fine for this also. Third would be BS9000/BL1. So after spending some time on this forum, I now see that for those of us interested in "classic" though not yet vintage B&O, the BeoCenter 9500 is pretty much the holy grail of systems.
I agree with you though the Beolab 5 would be bought for its sound rather than looks or ease of use.
I laughed at the BL7000 - I decided I had to have one of these and bought my first 9500 simply to have something to use it with!!
bidstonhall: great thread, glad to see the beosystem 4500 gets a mention, not had mine for long but very pleased with it, gets a lot of attention from visitors who can't believe how old it is, my dream is to have a turntable with it but it's almost impossible to get that out here to Thailand without it getting trashed, one day
I love the 4500 also, and for similar reasons. While showing some friends my 4000 and 3000-2 and explaining their vintage I showed them the 4500 last and they guessed it was from 2012!
The 4500 is brilliant. Not only does it look great, but it has the sound to match. Absolutely stunning tone.
Beo4 'til I die!
Peter: Playdrv4me: Not sure how it hasn't made its way into this thread, yet, but as an audiophile *FIRST*, I would trade ALL of my gear *AND* a BeoCenter 9500 for a pair of BeoLab 5s. If you HAD to make due with JUST BL5s and no other B&O gear you could because of the line inputs and digital input. Second choice would be the BL7000 itself. It is after-all, the piece de resistance that brought me to B&o in the first place. I have my eye on a 9500 to go with it as a matter of fact *sneaky*. Though the BM7000 works fine for this also. Third would be BS9000/BL1. So after spending some time on this forum, I now see that for those of us interested in "classic" though not yet vintage B&O, the BeoCenter 9500 is pretty much the holy grail of systems. I agree with you though the Beolab 5 would be bought for its sound rather than looks or ease of use. I laughed at the BL7000 - I decided I had to have one of these and bought my first 9500 simply to have something to use it with!!
Indeed! I too obtained the BL7000 before everything else. I must confess, though that on my TV/entertainment center stack it just sits up at the very top providing me a status display of what's going on on the current input and volume selection (or the nifty little clock). I like the way the BL1000 floats around the couch and feels in the hand so much the BL7000 doesn't get picked off its stand much. It *WOULD* if I could find that vertical stand for it, but that's basically unobtanium at this point.
Evan: I love the 4500 also, and for similar reasons. While showing some friends my 4000 and 3000-2 and explaining their vintage I showed them the 4500 last and they guessed it was from 2012! The 4500 is brilliant. Not only does it look great, but it has the sound to match. Absolutely stunning tone.
I can definitely attest to the stunning tone of the Beomaster 4500 which was by far my favourite amplifier until it gave “notice.”
According to those in the know there is virtually no difference between the Beomaster 1900 family of receivers regardless of claimed power levels, BUT my Beomaster was a stand-out with sumptuous rich sound. I am assuming that the lovely sound was the result of leaking and failing capacitors, but they failed in one spectacular fashion!
As for the look, there can be no argument there as the 4500 is a knockout.
Of course I would have to add that the BeoCenter 9000 family is even more stunning, but that is just an opinion.
Piaf: According to those in the know there is virtually no difference between the Beomaster 1900 family of receivers regardless of claimed power levels,
According to those in the know there is virtually no difference between the Beomaster 1900 family of receivers regardless of claimed power levels,
Not sure who has said that - there were huge differences between the 1900/2400 and the 3500/4500 - totally different amplifiers clothed in a vaguely similar body. Of course the 4500 system was essentially a 9500 in rather more boxes!
Peter: Piaf: According to those in the know there is virtually no difference between the Beomaster 1900 family of receivers regardless of claimed power levels, Not sure who has said that - there were huge differences between the 1900/2400 and the 3500/4500 - totally different amplifiers clothed in a vaguely similar body. Of course the 4500 system was essentially a 9500 in rather more boxes!
I looked for the actual quote, however not finding it, from memory the point that was made stated that the “difference” between the Beomaster 1900 series of receivers was due entirely to marketing and reacting to the competition of the day rather than any real difference in power or performance.
The Beomaster 2400 lists power at 30 watts per channel, the 4500 is listed at 40 watts per channel, but if I have my facts correct the author said there was no power difference between these amplifiers merely the advertising and marketing folks reacting the market conditions of the day.
If I have misquoted the author, I apologize.
In ANY case, I am delighted to learn that there IS a difference within the 1900 family as while I have accepted the fact that I have less than perfect memory, I was not quite ready to accept my sanity was going too, as to me my Beomaster 2400 sounded nothing like the Beomaster 4500.
Playdrv4me: but that's basically unobtanium at this point.
Is the Beovirus in remission ? ;-)
valve1: Playdrv4me: but that's basically unobtanium at this point. Is the Beovirus in remission ? ;-)
Funny!, and I wish!
Piaf: Peter: Piaf: According to those in the know there is virtually no difference between the Beomaster 1900 family of receivers regardless of claimed power levels, Not sure who has said that - there were huge differences between the 1900/2400 and the 3500/4500 - totally different amplifiers clothed in a vaguely similar body. Of course the 4500 system was essentially a 9500 in rather more boxes! I looked for the actual quote, however not finding it, from memory the point that was made stated that the “difference” between the Beomaster 1900 series of receivers was due entirely to marketing and reacting to the competition of the day rather than any real difference in power or performance. The Beomaster 2400 lists power at 30 watts per channel, the 4500 is listed at 40 watts per channel, but if I have my facts correct the author said there was no power difference between these amplifiers merely the advertising and marketing folks reacting the market conditions of the day. If I have misquoted the author, I apologize. In ANY case, I am delighted to learn that there IS a difference within the 1900 family as while I have accepted the fact that I have less than perfect memory, I was not quite ready to accept my sanity was going too, as to me my Beomaster 2400 sounded nothing like the Beomaster 4500. Jeff
I see what you mean - the previous author is correct in that the power delivery was pretty similar thoughout the life of the range, but the actual amplifier changed a lot - particularly with the 2000/3000 and following receivers. I would expect the 4500 to sound different to the 2400. Having opened up the 2400, it always seemed a very tight squeeze to get everything in!! The hybrid amplifier of the later amps must have made things easier as well as losing the controls under the flap.
I certainly appreciate this added perspective Peter.
The subject of comparing vintage amplifiers has been covered several times. What is interesting is these vintage amplifiers are in various stages of electronic compromise with totally different results.
Søren talks glowingly about his favorite amplifier, the Beomaster 2400, which really intrigues me as my Beomaster 2400 is a little workhorse, doing everything properly and consistently, (switch hiccups aside) with absolutely noting to find fault with….. but it never was in the same league as the Beomaster 4500.
Søren loves his 2400 while I like and admire mine for what it is, but I don’t love it.
Now the Beomaster 4500 I LOVED! The sound was intoxicating, delicate yet very mellow. Unfortunately we will never know if this most extraordinary sound was the result of the 4500’s design or the happy combination of failing capacitors.
Anyway, back to your comment about the difference in amplifiers regardless of the similarities in power output was/is most welcome and educational.