I own a 9300 from new and I will never part with it. Although they appear very similar, the Beocenter 9300 and 9500 are different.

• The Beocenter 9500 is more or less a Beosystem 4500 in one cabinet, without the Beogram of course. While the 9300 is actually an Ouverture in disguise with an amplifier. I believe the amplifier in the 9500 is better, although I never compared it head to head with a 9300. That said, my 9300 was connected to Beolab 3's for the last year...
• The 9300 has a different CD mechanism, which is supposed to be a bit faster than the previous versions. I can't really tell how much faster it is, I've owned a 9300 since new and it's been a while since I've seen an 9500 and again, I never compared them head to head.
• The 9500 has two communication and a connection for an equalizer, facilities the 9300 lacks.

Only the later examples had the later, so called improved (linear) CD mechanism. Most 9300 appear to have the same CD as the 9500.

I am yet to be convinced that the CD performance or indeed the amplifier is any better in one or the other!

Since 2 way communication does nothing for me, I would probably buy a 9300 from as near to 2001 as possible on grounds of age, reliablity and spares availability

The tape deck in the 9500 is much better specified and the programming on the 9500 can be more complex when used with a two way remote. I think the amplifier is basically the same. In short, the 9500 is better specified but the 9300 is younger. I prefer the mirror finish of the 9500 but would be happy with either. 

For what's wurth, the 9500 has a Digital/Analog converter with 16 bit 4 times oversampling and the 9300 has the bitstream technology.

Peter wrote:

The tape deck in the 9500 is much better specified and the programming on the 9500 can be more complex when used with a two way remote. I think the amplifier is basically the same. In short, the 9500 is better specified but the 9300 is younger. I prefer the mirror finish of the 9500 but would be happy with either. 

Agree about the tape deck, totally forgot about that, as I (almost) never use it. The 9300 has the mirror finish too, at least mine has.

I've had a 9500 for almost 10 years (bought it new) and sold it some years ago.

The reason of selling it was the lack of compatiblity with beoport's netmusic and netradio.

It was, imho, the best designed beocenter, but if you want to upgrade, then you're a bit limited.

Earlier 9300's had polished panels and the later ones had matt panels.

Listened to both, connected to Beovox S45-2. They sound very different, perhaps because of a different amplifier. I only listened through beovoxes, so I can't tell if the difference remains when played on Beolabs. Living in 2010, differences in spec's concerning the cassette section are not important to me.  Great design however, one of the B&o classics, although I think it's a very large beocenter of which not so much is used when connected to beolabs, in that case there's more drama/appearance than actual content. (no need for an amplifier or cassette, only usefull parts are the CD-player and the radio).

a later 9300 would be better I think, it also uses the Beo4 remote, and just like the Ouverture is a classic, in fact the BM9300 and Beosound Ouverture have a lot in common with each other components wise !