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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
While everyone seems interested in the best Beocord or CD player. I wonder what turntable members like the best for sound quality? reliability?
I know the Beogram 6500 and 7000 had the phone preamp built in. Where there any others? Can the preamp module from a BG6500 for example be installed in a BG5500 or BG9000?
That's an interesting question, I don't have enough experience with anything but my Beogram 3000 tangential to make a comment. I suspect though that it will get a bit muddled as since B&O tables are dedicated to a particular cartridge lineup, the quality of a particular table can be obscured by the quality of the cartridge. Say, is an older table, which may be superior, with an inferior cartridge better than a more modern table, say, that's not as good with something like an MMC1?
I do know that I've had MMC5, MMC4, and MMC2 cartridges on my table, and there is no comparison. The 5 was not very pleasant, the 4 is pretty darned good, and the 2 is outstanding IMO.
I look forward to hearing some of the opinions of others on this.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
I really liked the sound of my Beogram 4002 with an MMC 20EN cartridge on board.
That said, I sold it and kept my Beogram 8002 instead. A better cartridge helps with the later decks, with an MMC2 sounding better than an MMC4 on both my 8002 and old 5005.
Like Jeff says, there are lots of variables. Deck design, build quality, the cartridge and whether it fits in with the system you're using. You could add to that list the importance of the amp, speakers, etc.
Being B&O fans we won't talk about cabling though :P
Best sounding deck I have is a 1960s Beogram 3000 Thorens with 12" arm and an SP2 cartridge with custom elliptical stylus from Axel. Had almost every other B&O deck and cartridge going in my time, but this has the best sound.
Peter
I can attest to that, Peter. Here's mine.
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/Thorens_Gallery/S_Leikanger/SLBeo3000.jpg
I switched to a Beogram 4002 back in 1976 and have only used Beogram tangentials since. Currently I use the 4002 and 8002 although I have an RX2, 3404, 2404 (plus some ELAC Miracords - 50H and 770H). With turntables though, the cartridge and stylus play the biggest role in the sound. So the question which is the best Bang & Olufsen turntable is not clear cut for sure. For me, I think I will always have to have a working 4002. I really like the 8002 as well though.
I also have a Beogram 4000, and am very pleased with its sound. An amazing turntable.
A friend swears by his two Beogram 8000/8002.
soundproof: I can attest to that, Peter. Here's mine. http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/Thorens_Gallery/S_Leikanger/SLBeo3000.jpg
I take it you now have the wonderful lid as supplied by the master of the 5000 system Frede! Much better than the one I had made!
Some weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to acquire a New In Box SP 8-9 stylus. Unused - I was not expecting it to play well, the suspension having stiffened. I replaced the rubber ring around the stylus with a new one, the old one had dried up, and checked the diamond with a microscope. It was perfectly regular and clean - the PU really had not ever been played. As if I needed convincing - everything inside the wooden box looked as if it had never been opened (the measurement diagram, etc.)
I put the PU on my other tonearm, and lowered into the groove of a record, and heard very well resolved music from my Beogram 3000. That was fun - with a stylus as ancient as from 1968.
And yes, I do have Frede's lid. He is starting to wonder about me, by the way, a lot of things have come in the way of my taking the trip down to pick up a Beosystem 1200 he has refurbished for me, as well as an extra Beolab 5000 amplifier I want to have.
Peter: soundproof: I can attest to that, Peter. Here's mine. http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/Thorens_Gallery/S_Leikanger/SLBeo3000.jpg I take it you now have the wonderful lid as supplied by the master of the 5000 system Frede! Much better than the one I had made!
I cant compete with the more than beautiful Thorens 3000, but of my 4 working decks I like the BG 5000 pizzabox the best, the MMC4 and SMMC4 are just right for my somewhat worn vinyl collection. BTW I´m still looking for a BG 4000, nearly bought a 4002, but reconsidered, it has to be a 4000.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
So far I have experience with:
Beogram 1202
Beogram 2000 '80s mmc4
Beogram 8000 mmcl20 project that got thrown out. Dillen got some of it.
Beogram 8002 mmc 2 soundsmith /mmc3
Beogram 6006 mmc 20en but changed to 20CL from the 8000
Beogram 6500 mmc4
Beogram 6500 mmc2 never heard as it needs a retip.
The 1202 played nicely enough but I have not used since 2003 or so but it does work. Did make some marks on the records it played as I recall.
The 8002 cost a lot in service and still near death. Dillen went through it and it was a wonderfull sturdy great sounding player that always worked.
The 6006 has been serviced 2 times by Dillen. Again the sturdy built and the sound is very good.
The 6500 is of a less sturdy construction. The corners get bumps easily if you are not carefull enough. The price of one compared to a 6006/8000/8002 is a bit to high overall but they do sound nice enough.
The 2000 was like the 1202 very simple but good and I used for about 3 years maybe 4.
I would say the 8002 followed by the 6006 and my white Beogram 6500 in that order would sum up the best of them.
Beogram 1200 is a very elegant turntable and the SP 14 cartridge is one of the best of the type.
The studs on the turntable might not give the best support, and I do recall getting some noticeable rumble from time to time when the deck was connected to the BM1200 playing into BV2600's.
Graham
I would say that the 8002 is the best turntable (at least theorethically) because of the 'tangential drive' - no motor -no belt...
Perhaps the dampening of the platter could be better, as it's pure aluminum (with some very thin 'ribs'). The old 3000 has a thick rubber platter (on top of the alu) to support the record. This should give some improvement of the sound (says Experts)...Problem is, that you can not put some rubber platter on the 8002's alu platter - 'cause there's only a few millimeters Space for the pickup...Perhaps a better dampening of the 8002's platter would give it the 'last bit' to really 'kick a.s' compared to other high end turntables...
But is the SP2 really better than the MMC1...?
Steffen:But is the SP2 really better than the MMC1...?
If the SP2 is repaired by Axel with his best cantilever, I would say at least MMC2 quality.
I remember hearing that either the 8000 or 8002 was prone to problems with the plastic strobe disk rotting making the platter motor unusable?
I have a too many TT as you can see.
Beogram 1000 that belonged to my father. With SP14
Beogram 3000 with a seized up 110 V motor due to cheap bearings used at the time. With SP 12
Beogram 1200 220v I have not tried to play. With SP 14
Beogram 9000 / MMC 3
Beogram 5500 / MMC 4
Beogram 6000 4 channel MMC 6000
Beogram 8000 / MMC 10E
Which one is worth restoring if any?
I don't have phone pre amp to use with any of them to connect to my Beosound 9000 but I think a shop in Denver makes them.
expoman: Which one is worth restoring if any? I don't have phone pre amp to use with any of them to connect to my Beosound 9000 but I think a shop in Denver makes them.
All of them
http://www.phonopreamps.com/index.html#Features, make your choice
Strobo disc, ask Dillen on this forum
The Beogram 1700 with an MMC20 EN is still my favorite. A simple radial deck that was cleanly designed.
You use to be able to pick them up fairly cheap but now with the vinyl craze plus some praise it received elsewhere they have become a bit pricey.
expoman: I know the Beogram 6500 and 7000 had the phone preamp built in. Where there any others? Can the preamp module from a BG6500 for example be installed in a BG5500 or BG9000?
I have installed them, but those models witch dont have amp originally, dont have brackets on bottom plate, so I have to drill 2 holes for them. Also it need a little wiring.
blah-blah and photographs as needed
Strobo discs that goes are found in the 6006 and most of the 8000. They where changed to metal at some point during the production of the 8000 as I understand it.
My 6006 has one from Dillen installed and it works perfectly.
As I recall it was starting to go when I got that record player back in the late 2007.
Ricardo: The Beogram 1700 with an MMC20 EN is still my favorite. A simple radial deck that was cleanly designed. You use to be able to pick them up fairly cheap but now with the vinyl craze plus some praise it received elsewhere they have become a bit pricey.
And here I thought you had joined my 3404 fan club at the Vice President level.
expoman:I know the Beogram 6500 and 7000 had the phone preamp built in. Where there any others?
As nobody else has answered that question...Yes - the Beogram 4500 also had the preamp.
Steffen,
Thanks for this info. The 4500 does come up for sale more than the 6500 or 7000. The price is more reasonable as well.
Any mm preamp with RCAs will work between a Beogram and a Beosound 9000. You will need (two) adapters, one in and one out. 5 pin DIN females < 2 RCAs.
And, if I may add, the BG 3500.
Welcome to Beoworld and congrats for digging up a 7 year-old thread!
Jacques
I tried many Beograms (and still own "few of them") but Beogram 4000 is for me the best one. Mine is in everyday usage (at the moment with MMC 20EN) and it sounds superb.
Yes, I know, many would say that the BG800x is better but not for me, specially not designwise. I don't really like the BG800x series. The Beogram 4000 is the best "package", design and sound. But that's just my opinion.
One more Beogram which is my favorite is the Beogram 1500 (the old type: 5208, one with the build-in amp). I gave mine to my brother together with the pair of Beovox 800 and he couldn't believe what nice sound this set is able to produce
For me the best looking one is still the white Beogram 1202. Pure elegance and simplicity!
Theomaster
P.S. Yes BG3000 Thorens is probably the best sounding Beogram but having "only" the plint and tonearm made by B&O, it is for me out of comparison ...
Vintage Bang & Olufsen
The best I've heard (and own!) remains the Beogram 8002 with an Axel-rebuilt MMC2.
Also, there has been mention of the Thorens version, but the Acoustical version of the Beogram 3000 is no slouch.
chartz:Welcome to Beoworld and congrats for digging up a 7 year-old thread! Jacques
In meinen opinion the best Players are.
beogram 4000
like 4002/40004/6000 too.
beogram 6006/8000/8002 all nearly the same.
the Beogram 5000 is an excellent Player too.
I Never had a Beogram 3000 Thornes, but should be a really Good one.
the Otters i have and i like them all !