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
Tonight I have been listening to my new total restored Beolab 5000!
And I have never experienced anything like the sonic quality level of this restoration.
I must say I have listened to a few Beolab 5000’s and I have every time enjoyed the fantastic sonic quality, but tonight the normal high level has been even higher.
Why?
Because I have replaced all capacitors with AUDIO GRADE capacitors. Replaced all preamplifier transistors with very low noise types, matched power transistors in the output stages and my “usual” replacement of a total some 108 components.
I will be listening to this amplifier during the next days and perhaps tell some more of the experiences.
I will try to describe what I hear tonight:
A fantastic wide and open sound stage with a very easy recognition of the individual artists and even with some sound stage deep’s (what I until now have found by listening to Quad 606 with ESL 63).
A very warm and pleasant sound though with precise “attack”.
I have been listening to: Jazz at the Pawnshop 30th anniversary
/Frede
classic: A fantastic wide and open sound stage with a very easy recognition of the individual artists and even with some sound stage deep’s (what I until now have found by listening to Quad 606 with ESL 63). A very warm and pleasant sound though with precise “attack”.
This sounds very interesting, tell us more.
Hi Frede,
Yes, very interesting.
What about the output caps? Audio grade as well?
I have started scanning the French manuals by the way, I will finish when I have some spare time!
Jacques
The output capacitors are also audio grade quality.
I have been reading a lot regarding the improved quality by using audio grade parts, and for some of my work on Quad amplifiers I normally use audio grade parts. That was the reason to try to get these parts for a Beolab 5000 two.
First of all the parts are difficult to find and I have to accept to use radial parts (I prefer axial parts) for the Beolab. Anyway I decided to give it a try and ordered the parts. The audio grade parts are really expensive compared with normal parts.
I also did the selection on the power transistors regarding HFE which gives a good technical balance for the circuit.
On top of all that (which is special for this restoration) all the other point of my checklist was carried out. We spend about 12 to 15 hours on a Beolab 5000 restoration.
I must admit I was surprised when I heard the result, which I tried to describe earlier in this tread.
What next……..
I will be doing all the specification tests I normally do on a restored Beolab 5000 and see if the specifications are different I don’t expect that.
I am considering offering this upgrade to customers also.
Very interesting, will be even more interesting to see the test results.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
I have to tell you ....................
The Beolab 5000 I have chosen for this special upgrade is my one and only Beolab 5000 with black panels.
/ Frede
Of the "slider" models design, I like my BM 4000 the most, the black front in contrast to the wood panels is just beautiful.
As always Frede shows us how to do it expertly.
classic: The Beolab 5000 I have chosen for this special upgrade is my one and only Beolab 5000 with black panels. / Frede
..... I feel a Beovirus coming on. ;-)
Very fitting!
Very interested to hear how things go - maybe a side by side comparison with another B&O product - like your 4401! Now I wonder what that would be like upgraded!
Peter
I have now tested the Beolab 5000. The test result is very close to the original specifications, some specification like distortion is lower.
If I compare with a “normal” full restored Beolab 5000, tested after the same restoration process but no upgrade to AUDIO GRADE parts the test result is slightly better – not much.
I expected that!
But the sonic result is really different.
That is what B&O measured 45 years ago! Not far-off!