The old Beocenter series: What are the differences, which have 2 way communication?

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TWG Posted: Wed, May 8 2013 11:03 AM

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Hi,

as the actual B&O systems (except the Beosound 5) are not interesting any more and have a bad design, I'm looking for an old Beocenter 9300, 9500, 8500, 9000 and so on.
BUT:
What are the key differences between all the systems? As far as I know not all of them do have two way infrared communication!?

What do I have to look at before buying one of those old babies? Are there still spare parts from B&O available to service the units or is it nearly impossible if the glass panel is broken or the metal surface is scratched?

Can I integrate those old systems into my Masterlinknetwork via ML/MCL-converter?

btw: I think we need a real technical B&O encyclopedia where ALL technical solutions and possibillities and configurations are described in every detail - like in this danish monstrous thread by Peter:
http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/444.aspx?PageIndex=1
:-)

Thank you

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Foxtrott replied on Wed, May 8 2013 4:09 PM

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Hello TWG!

I am not really an expert for theese classics, but I can try to illustrate the main differences that I am aware of. I hope that the real experts will fill in the gaps and correct me where I am wrong.

BC9000:
The first of the series. 1-way, speakerlink connections only. brushed panels. The "cd-holder" under the cd-door that keeps the cd in place once the door is closed is prone to break and nearly impossible to find.

BC9500:
Sucessor of BC9000, 2-way, speaker- + powerlink, full timer capability, riaa -inbuilt, mirror-panels, white stripe. Normally a very reliable machine. The lithium battery inside may fail (co.de on the display). Instructions on how to replace can be found on Beoworld.

BC8500:
A downgraded BC9500: 1-way, speaker- + powerlink,no timer capability, grey panels (similar to BC3500), no stripe.

BC8000:
An even more downgraded type: 1-way, grey panels, only speakerlink, no timer.

BC9300:
replacement for BC9500: 1-way, ML-connection, speaker- and powerlink, no timer (not entirely sure here). Some version do have mirror-panels and white stripe. Some have brushed panels and no stripe. The BC9300 is technically very similar to the Ouverture.

All theese units are getting "old". But most of the time problems are down to aging or dry capacitators or other electronic parts. The do-it-yourself cracks here can certainly help here.
A common problem is that the tape holding the panels to their frame is drying out and fails. Panels are hard to find, but Beoworld member "Leslie" has a source for replacement panels (if i remember correctly). Please note that there are differences between the panels for the different units.

It should be possible to intergrate them via MCL/ML-Converter in an ML system, although some types (BC9000, BC8000) may not support all types of options needed in an ML-network.

The Beocentral site (Beocentral.com) has a very good timeline for theese machines and also have good explanations of the differences.

I hope this helps

Cheers!

Foxtrott

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Playdrv4me replied on Wed, May 8 2013 4:46 PM

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The only one that has two way communication is the BC9500. It's the best match for the BeoLink 7000 in my opinion.

Don't forget that for whatever it's worth, the Beocenter *4500* is actually just a 9500 sans CD and cassette, and later models of the 4500 DO have 2-way communications. The 8000 and 8500 do not.

The 9300 is really almost an entirely different product encased in the old packaging.

The 9500 is probably amongst the most in-demand classic B&O products on the market right now, so it will take some time and patience to find one that is in well cared for condition at a reasonable price, depending on where you live. They're a little easier to come across in Europe than in the U.S.

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Peter replied on Wed, May 8 2013 5:46 PM

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The one to have is the 9500. Excellent in every way - super CD player, excellent tape and good analogue radio. I suppose one could argue that with the demise of tape, maybe a BM4500 and CD4500 would be a sensible buy but I don't think they have the operating purity of the 9500. Buy the best one you can - they are worth it. I love much of my B&O - my Beolab 5000 system is wonderful as is my BM4401. But a 9500 just works when you come in from a long day. You can record programmes on when you are out, it couldn't be easier to use and it sounds great.

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BO replied on Wed, May 8 2013 5:53 PM

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Peter:

and it sounds great.

And it looks great!

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TWG replied on Wed, May 8 2013 9:20 PM

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Thank you guys for the helpful answers!

- Do all of the units have an AUX-in connection for adding external audio sources, too?

- Are the "grey" panels on the Beocenter 8xxxx systems made of metal or plastic?

The most beautiful is the Beocenter 9300 with the matte aluminium panels. This is the most beautiful (AUDIO) thing to me.  

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Playdrv4me replied on Wed, May 8 2013 10:02 PM

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TWG:

Thank you guys for the helpful answers!

- Do all of the units have an AUX-in connection for adding external audio sources, too?

- Are the "grey" panels on the Beocenter 8xxxx systems made of metal or plastic?

The most beautiful is the Beocenter 9300 with the matte aluminium panels. This is the most beautiful (AUDIO) thing to me.  

They all have auxiliary inputs, you'll need a datalink adapter for anything other than B&O sources. 

The 8xxx panels are still metal.

My understanding is that the 9300 is still high polished like the 9500. The 9000 is brushed aluminum.

8000 has standard speaker sockets only, and is not fitted with Powerlink. I've honestly never seen an 8500 and much less an 8000 around here or since I've been looking on Ebay at B&O equipment. I can't imagine why anyone would want one.

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Steffen replied on Wed, May 8 2013 11:12 PM

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Playdrv4me:

My understanding is that the 9300 is still high polished like the 9500. The 9000 is brushed aluminum.

The first 9300's did have high polished "mirror" surface in the beginning - but it was changed to matte aluminum on the last models.
Not brushed like BC 9000 -and not painted grey like 8000/8500.

I think the models with 'mirror' surface looks best - but it's a matter of taste...

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Søren Hammer replied on Thu, May 9 2013 2:50 AM

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The 9300 had the seven day timer of the 9000 and was available with polished panels until around 1996, when satin panels were reintroduced,