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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I was wondering which of these two is better/nicer both from a technical (sound quality, reliability, maintenance) and usage standpoint: the 2000 or 3400?
The design and specs seem to be very similar (assuming you don't need the 4 channel function of the 3400).
From what i've read here, neither has any substantial downsides, but I haven't found a direct comparison between the two. I do like the cleaner design of the 2000 a bit more, but maybe the 3400 has some redeeming features i'm not aware of.
Any insights?
Unless you're going to use a Beogram 6000, I would choose the BM2000. But that's personal. In my honest opnion is the BM2000 is more logical designed. Technically will there be hardly any difference in design of the amplifier and it's sound.
Well, not being one to waste time, I bought a Beomaster 2000 today, sight unseen. Honestly it's a bit rougher than the seller led me to believe, but the price was right and other than the lights, everything seems to work.
Any ideas about what I should expect to pay for a mint condition example (white/alu), working or otherwise?
For now, I'll play around with this one for a while, so a few questions:
- I'd like to give it a good clean, but am afraid to remove the print and radio scales that are printed directly on the aluminium. What's the strongest cleaner and brush I can use? It's bothering me to no end to see it sitting here with 40 years of staining!
- None of the lights seem to be working, is there a central fuse for them somewhere? I know these lights tend to go bad with age, but all of them?
- The aluminium top of one of the buttons has become detached. By the looks of it, those just clamp on the button mechanism, can I reglue this or am I likely missing a small piece that got lost when the button came loose?
Or go to the direct URL for full resolution (can't seem to make it clickable):http://i.imgur.com/jsktX7v.jpg
The one in the photo looks reasonable, should clean up nicely.Usual problems are front edge wear, lower - and particularly lower rear corner chips and scratches on top from other things being stacked on top.Not rare to see the small pieces at the outer ends of the sliding doors lost too. They are also just glued on.
The lose pushbuttons is also a common issue, usually an easy fix since they are just glued to the mech below.The lamps will need replacing.So will the rectifier for the tuner etc..The tiny fingerwheels for the tuning presets will have cracked at their hubs and will need glueing onto their shafts.That's all very common.
Mint condition Beomaster 2000s are far between.A truely MINT condition white Beomaster 2000 has been seen at Ebay auction to pass the EUR 600 mark.
Martin
It looks fine, just use soapy water to begin with. Step up to 99% isopropanol if the dirt won't come off.
The 2000 was one of the first Beomaster models with direct coupled Darlington outputs, which is identical to the (later) more elaborate models; Beomaster 4400, 6000 and 8000 - the 2000 is just less powerful. My 3400 sounds very akin to the 4400.
Vinyl records, cassettes, open reel, valve amplifiers and film photography.
Up to 600 for a mint one, all of the sudden restoring my 50€ example doesn't seem too bad! Especially a white one, I could easily fill in the small scratches and missing rear lower corner, followed by a trip to the paint booth.
This one isn't quite bad enough for that though. I've opened it up to have a look around and am still coughing 45 minutes later, at some point a heavy smoker must have owned it. White trim should clean up nicely, Might use my dual action car polisher with a fine compound.
Soapy water will be next, but I suspect the nicotine haze on the aluminium won't break down easily. Good to know I can use IPA on the alu without damaging the printed labels.
Strange these models aren't better known, never been a fan of the more common black and wood ones, but the white/alu version really is a beautiful piece of design. It might even take care of my urge to own a few Dieter Rams Braun components.
Excellent receivers - I have had bopth a 2000 and a 3400. I think the 2000 sounded better - certainly more power when I tested it along with all my others. The 3400 also has the most bizarre tuning scale ever seen!
You are correct that these are not that well known but they are some of the best receivers made by B&O. I suppose the 2400 rather eclipsed it in looks, though not in sound quality. The 2200 is similar in circuit design if not construction and is another superb example.
Peter
FRQ: I could easily fill in the small scratches and missing rear lower corner, followed by a trip to the paint booth.
I could easily fill in the small scratches and missing rear lower corner, followed by a trip to the paint booth.
It's my experience, as a collector through many years, that there is a sharp difference from MINT to restored.It's only original once. If you paint it, it will lose its originality forever.Some may not care, others will walk away quickly.As a collector, I would much prefer to lay my hands on an original piece with tiny battlescars rather thana repainted one. But, as said, others will not mind.
Dillen:As a collector, I would much prefer to lay my hands on an original piece with tiny battlescars rather thana repainted one. But, as said, others will not mind. Martin
Sure, I adhere to the same philosophy, I've restored several cars that way. Unfortunately sometimes things are too far gone to achieve a presentable result without refinishing. The one in the picture won't be repainted by the way, the finish is largely salvageable.
3400 of course. Its a higher number,
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http://tinyurl.com/qj9cjsf
tamtapir:3400 of course. Its a higher number,
Too late! 1400 short of a 3400, I'll survive.
I have an almost mint Beomaster 2000 and I can confirm that it is a good one.
I too had the odd two square buttons loose.
Jacques