Beomaster Amp and Phono preamp quality

Hi everyone,

I currently have a Beomaster 1900 which has been restored with a cap kit amongst other things, its connected to a set of Beovox S55s which have also been recapped, refoamed and new spiders.

I run a Beogram 4002 into Phono and a PC into TAPE. Playback from the TAPE input is lovely and I was relatively happy with the quality of record playback from my Beogram 4002 through the phono input on the Beomaster 1900, that is, until I began resurrecting a Beogram 6000 and heard the sound quality of the playback from its built in CD4 preamp into the TAPE input on the Beomaster 1900. This is using an Australian rebuilt MMC20EN cart. The sound quality from the CD4 preamp in the Beogram 6000 (in stereo mode) is just more natural, more dynamic, vocals come through better and there is more shine on the top end.

I love the 6000 although its still got a few mechanical issues and my 4002 is spot on perfect, but what troubles me is that I know whenever im listening to the 4002 - the sound could be nicer if I was using the 6000. The issue I also have is that I also run the computer into the TAPE input on the BM1900 so changing cables is a bit of an annoyance and in the end i'd prefer to be using the 4002.

The weak link in this setup would appear to be the Beomaster 1900, I know it was considered B&O's mid range from that era and is probably a little less suited to the Beovox s55 given they are an 8ohm speaker and it was designed in the era when most B&O speakers were 4ohm.

My request for some info is;

1. Can anyone recommend a more suitable Beomaster for my setup which has a better phono preamp in it? really would like the quality of the one in the Beogram 6000? I was thinking the 4000, 4400, 6000 (80's version non quad). My room isn't particularly big (about 4x3.5m) so I dont need anything huge in terms of power, although the BM1900 does sometimes struggle with the s55's so a bit more power would be nice.

2. An opportunity has arisen for me to purchase a mint pair of Beovox S45-2, are they much better than the S55 on a BM1900 or should I just dump the BM1900 and get a better amp?

Any help/advice appreciated.

Andrew

For what it's worth, I have run BG4002 with original MMC20EN, new Soundsmith SMMC20EN and Soundsmith rebuilt MMC3000 into BM1900, BM2400, BM4000, NAD 7175PE and Denon PA-1100. There was little if any difference.

I cannot say the same for a pair of BG3404s I have. They like the rebuilt 3000 but the preamp again made little difference.

Do snatch up the S45-2s. You won't regret it.

Hi Rich

Do you believe the Beovox s45-2 to be better than the Beovox S55?

I have never listened to the S55, but everyone here agrees the S45-2 is the finest of the passive loudspeakers on the smaller end of the size scale.

I have a pair and wouldn't trade them for anything.  I listen to them about daily as they are on my desk in my bedroom system.  They are good in a near-field listening setup, or as the main set in a larger room system.  No earth-shattering bass out of the 8" woofer, but clean, well-balanced sound all-around.  No woofer foam rot (rubber surrounds), plus a popular model if you ever need spare parts.  Will likely need new electrolytic capacitors in the crossovers, but so do all speakers of that age at this time.