Beomaster 6500 or BM6000/BM8000

I am currently using a BG6002 with a BM6500/Rega Preamp, Playmaker and Beovox Penta speakers. I am wondering if getting a BM6000 or BM8000 would sound better than the BM6500 - which sounds great anyway but the 80's beomaster would be a better visual fit and also provide some B&O magic.

Has anyone experience of any of these or should I stick to the BM6500?

I'd say the 8000 is the coolest, the 6500 the most versatile (it can control your lights!) and the 6000 the best-sounding.

I have all three (almost, a 7000 instead of a 6500), but I have never tried them with passive Pentas. I've used all three with s45-IIs, M150s and my old JBL L96s, and to my surprise my experience is that the 6000 is nicest (?) to listen to and the 6500/7000 the worst. Note that I haven't done any A/B tests or blind tests, so it's just my very personal opinion.

The 6000 is very similar to the 4400 and is a very silky smooth performer. It and the 8000 are from the Hi-Fi range as defined by Beocentral. The 6500 is the mid-fi range - the 5000 system essentially replaced the 7000 series of music centres which were superb. Not as powerful though. The 8000 is wonderfully powerful but a bit cold in comparison to the 6000/4400. I do have a soft spot for the 8000 though - electronically a masterpiece but not as nicely built as the 4400.

The 6002 is a restyled 4002 really and good for that. Very underrated.

Hi both

Thanks for the feedback, yes I will start looking out for a restored/excellent BM6000 - I understand that not all of them came with the remote control unit.

I've always hankered after that one and this now confirms my decision - thanks again.

henrik:

I'd say the 8000 is the coolest, the 6500 the most versatile (it can control your lights!) and the 6000 the best-sounding.

I'd say the 8000 is both the coolest and the best-sounding (and the heaviest...). As to light control - big deal. Most of us have light switches for that!

I love my BM8000. It sounds superb and drives the Beovox pentas beautifully. It will need a full refurb if it hasn't already had one though.