Beocord 5000 type 4705/4715/4716

These were probably the least liked machines by Engineers working on B&O during the '70's!!

Designed (in house)to be a world beater and to outshine the deservedly popular Japanese machines,it turned out to be a real failure.

When functioning fully(rare) they could work well,but mostly they were so unreliable generally,that we sent them all to B&O for repair.They did'nt have much luck with them either,and it all became a nightmare.

B&O eventually abandoned them,and resorted to far superior bought in Japanese mechanisms for later machines.

As we all have found though with the passage of time,often "unrepairable" equipment revisited with modern materials and enlightened expertise ,can be redeemed.

Does anyone here have good recent experience of working with these machines,and thus might be prepared to take on another?

Preferably someone in the U.K. to avoid transit risks please.

Thanks,

Nick

Nick

I actually have one of these that's fully functional, last time I played it anyway, gifted to me by Peter. Of course it had problems...it chewed up his favourite tapes so often that he lost patience with it (no pun intended Dr) and gave it to me.....I had the rubber rollers recovered by a chap in the states and following fitting of new belts and other bits and bobs it did start to behave itself. They are incredibly complex machines for what they do.....if the only issued is that of replacing belts I can do that for you, no guarantees of course as they are temperamental devils

Craig 

Thanks Craig,you may come to regret that offer sir!

I remember that it was deemed at the time that the pressure rollers were culpable.

B&O alway's insisted that the machine was designed using BASF tapes,and so was somewhat intolerant of other brands.

Our experience was that the BASF tapes were almost alway's guaranteed to chew,whereas TDK/Maxell et al,often worked quite well,but not alway's alas

The saddest recollection was of owners presenting us with chewed cherished pre-recorded tapes.

B&O were very supportive in those day's,and their U.K. techies overcame many equipment "gremlins" and were ready to pass on the info to us of course,but this machine seemed to have them beaten too.

I must admit that I'm intrigued by the prospect of restoring one of these(or buying a hair shirt?).I'm still languishing without workshop facilities though.

Not surprisingly,Martin can supply a belt set,which is a good start too.

I don't have the machine here,and I'm not sure whether it's a Mk1 or 2 version,but it appears to be in very good condition,with the owner having owned it since new.

I'll be in touch.

Nick

Hi Nick,

 

I purchased a Beocord 5000 new in 1977 along with my Beogram 4002. I was kind of surprised years later when I read about problems other people experienced with it. My Beocord 5000 always worked great. I retired it in 1983 however when I bought a Nakamichi Dragon (and a Beogram 8002) as part of a major stereo system upgrade. That turned out to be my last new stereo purchase. Since then my collection has been built from purchasing used, non-working components and restoring them.

 

I still have all of those audio components from 1977 and 1983 but of course now, my Beocord 5000 is not functional. Long storage without use is not kind to audio components.

 

I have every intention of diving in and restoring the old, classic Beocord 5000 one of these days. I think I will wait a little longer and view Craig get yours working again :-)

 

john

Thanks John.

My instinct of course is to dive in and have a go.

The electronics are not frightening by today's standard's,just a bit ott?

It's much more a mechanical issue I think?

I'm encouraged by other enthusiasts experience,and of course I'm not constrained by the same time/cost limitations of a busy main dealer workshop,all those year's ago!

Nick

Hi Nick!

Long time no see

I have two of those beauties.

They both work, thanks to Martin’s belts.

There must be a few posts here about my findings.

Also see the Beolover blog for detailed views and explanations.

I say, do it.