Nice to hear about some classic equipment! The arm not lifting is due to the mechanism sticking - I would remove the platter and have a clean underneath - getting to the actual lift mechanism may be tricky but I would certainly try some switch cleaner first - I would also try on the switches though simply using them repeatedly could well help! The platter could need the leaf springs playing with but make sure the transit screws are completely free first. Altering the springs could be as simple as a undoing a bolt though without the manual available I am just guessing  - sometimes a judicious tweak of the spring itself is needed!

The amplifier in the 4600 is the same as that in the Beomaster 1500 and shares a lot in common with the Beomaster 2200 and 4400. It lacks the ultimate power but is a jolly good amplifier so I am not surprised it sound good through the Pentas.

It's a nice sounding amp indeed! I had a Beocenter 2800, which is again the same basic machine but without the cassette deck.

These are both classic problems with these series. If you search the archives, you should find plenty of threads on the subject.

The culprit on the record player is a small pin that lifts the arm from below. You can't get at it without removing the player from the chassis. That's not difficult, there are two screws on the rear panel underneath the lid and after that you can lift the player off. There are two cable connectors to disconnect.

The sticking buttons is due to dried lubricants as well. Usually the switches themselves are OK, but the button caps stick in their channels. The only good fix is to clean them - but this requires taking it all apart and is a b**** of a job with not much hope without the service manual.

DO NOT dismantle the hinges of the dust lid, they are fragile and extremely difficult to put back together! The entire lid with the rear part can be detached from the rest of the deck, though.

The push buttons fit onto metal guides that were originally coated with "beogoo" to give that nice soft action when you press the buttons.With age the goo goes like glue and hence the sticking.

You can get all the buttons off without dismantling the unit,by gently prising forward with a small screwdriver in the slot under each button.Make a note of the order of the buttons for reassembly.

Clean the goo residue off the button and chassis guides,and relube with light oil.

It's the same problem with the turntable pu arm lifting pin,and as the other members have mentioned,it's easiest to spray solvent into the mech to free it,to avoid dismantling.

Nice unit,great radio section too.

Nick

Hi there

Many thanks for the suggestions, I shall have a go this weekend once I have some switch cleaner and also some light oil. It's reassuring that it's nothing mechanical and only a matter of maintenance - the machine itself is built like a tank.

Thanks again for your support and suggestions.