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Beomaster 4400 bad noise

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This post has 12 Replies | 2 Followers

DanP
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Switzerland
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DanP Posted: Thu, Apr 26 2012 9:13 PM

Hi

I just received a Beomaster 4400, in nearly “mint” condition. That’s what the seller was claiming. Cool
I had it shipped from Germany to Switzerland. 
 
After arrival, I, like a kid during Christmas eve full of excitementsBig Smile, unpacked and unwrapped the Beomaster 4400, whaw! It looked as new. I was thrilled! This would be a nice centerpiece in our living room. I couldn’t wait to plug it in, and so I did but to my disappointment the sound wasn’t what I had expected.

Problem:  Bad sound out of the right speaker channel, also on the speaker output  1 and 2. The left is working fine. I also switched the speaker cables, still the same problem.

The bad noise sounds like listening on a bad, unclear radio reception. It’s not a humming noise.
Listening with the headphone hooked up, both channels sound good.

Is this a simple thing to correct or is this the first sign for “recapping”? If that’s the case, where can I find caps that fit a Beomaster 4400? Is there such a thing as a “cap kit” for Beomaster 4400?

Many thanks for your advice.Smile

valve1
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The south of France and occasionally Dublin Ireland
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valve1 replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 7:59 AM

Hi , that is a problem with buying stuff unseen(unheard). On the positive side it sounds like it is in great cosmetic condition and it can be fixed.

Dillen on this site can supply you a full replacement kit of what usually needs replacing. With kit this old there can be other issues that need teasing out but you would need to be confident you can do all the soldering before starting.

keep us posted on your progress.

Søren Hammer
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It sounds like fried output transistors in one channel which is very common with these. I have experienced 3 Beomaster 4400's with the problem you are describing Smile

It's an inexpensive fix, the output transistors are still widely available.

Vinyl records, cassettes, open reel, valve amplifiers and film photography.

Dillen
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Dillen replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 9:15 AM

If the headphones sound fine, the problem will have to be
in the speaker switches and/or sockets (or the speakers).

Martin

chartz
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chartz replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 12:56 PM

I too would bet on switches! Quite a lot of work ahead... Please don't use those awful contact sprays! It will possibly seem to work but in fact the silver contacts will have blackened and NO snake oil product can return them to their neat and shiny original condition.

Are you sure you fully engaged the phones plug, ie not listening in mono?

Jacques

DanP
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Switzerland
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DanP replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 2:30 PM

Yes, with the headphone it sounds fine on both channels. I have tried different speakers, cables, mono, stereo, both speaker output (1 and 2). Still no change, the sound from the right speaker output sounds bad. The left one sounds as clear as it should.

I carefully opened it just to see if something had come lose (during the transport). All wiring looks untouched and nothing lose, black or burnt.

Despite the problem, I have to say that it looks very nice to look at. But it would be more fun if it works.

So right now I am sitting and listening to my Beocenter 7700 and looking at the Beomaster 4400. Hm.Unsure

Is it easy to change a speaker channel switch and the socket?  Do I still need to recap the whole thing?  

Many thanks for your advice,

Dan

 

DanP
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Switzerland
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DanP replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 2:30 PM

Yes, with the headphone it sounds fine on both channels. I have tried different speakers, cables, mono, stereo, both speaker output (1 and 2). Still no change, the sound from the right speaker output sounds bad. The left one sounds as clear as it should.

I carefully opened it just to see if something had come lose (during the transport). All wiring looks untouched and nothing lose, black or burnt.

Despite the problem, I have to say that it looks very nice to look at. But it would be more fun if it works.

So right now I am sitting and listening to my Beocenter 7700 and looking at the Beomaster 4400. Hm.Unsure

Is it easy to change a speaker channel switch and the socket?  Do I still need to recap the whole thing?  

Many thanks for your advice,

Dan

 

joeyboygolf
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Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK
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edit

Regards Graham

chartz
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Burgundy, France
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chartz replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 3:43 PM

Graham, there is no muting switch/relay on the 4400!

 

Jacques

joeyboygolf
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chartz:

Graham, there is no muting switch/relay on the 4400!

 

I just realised that so I deleted the post.Embarrassed

Regards Graham

Søren Mexico
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If there is good sound in the headphones, the failure is after the output stages, and there are only contacts and speaker sockets after the out stages.

Try bridging the speaker 1 contacts. Use the drawing in the manual onsite.

If the sound is OK in headphones there is no failure in transistors or caps. Well caps may be tired and in need of change, but the headphones works, so lets concentrate on getting the speakers working.

Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.

Step1
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Step1 replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 7:11 PM

chartz:

I too would bet on switches! Quite a lot of work ahead... Please don't use those awful contact sprays! It will possibly seem to work but in fact the silver contacts will have blackened and NO snake oil product can return them to their neat and shiny original condition.

Are you sure you fully engaged the phones plug, ie not listening in mono?

You actually done this Jacques? This really is a big job (not for a novice!) to do the whole switch bank and even then cleaning the contact blades is Awkward... However, the left hand bank is not too bad, can be accessed from the top, with lots of unsoldering!

Olly

chartz
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Burgundy, France
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chartz replied on Fri, Apr 27 2012 7:30 PM

Yes I finally had to do it when I restored my Beocenter 3500. But it was indeed quite a pig of a job to do. Having studied electromechanics I can do it, but I wouldn't recommend it to the inexperienced ones. I have also done some locksmith jobs, where some parts are tiny!

Jacques

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