BM8000 Service in the U.S. and some observations on the CD50...

10 replies
P(
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Playdrv4me (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 22, 2013 at 08:20 GMT
#2001838

Hey guys,

It's been a few months since I posted on here. Just been busy and working on some things. Finally sold the BeoLab 5s today and the new owner picked them. He is very ecstatic with them, and a younger guy just like me so I know they went to a good home.

Anyhow, I also sold my BeoSound 9000 and as partial payment took a few odds and ends from the gentleman who got the 9000. Another minty BeoMaster 8000 just like the one I used to have that he owned since new, including the remote control, a BeoGram CD50 including the remote terminal, and a BeoCord 8002.

The BC8002 I don't much care about and he admitted it didn't work but gave it to me anyway as it was mint and probably needs belts or something. Honestly, I am probably going to get rid of the BC8002 as I have absolutely no need for this midrange deck and don't want to bother with fixing it. 

The BeoMaster unfortunately does not perform as well as my last one did, and the buyer of my BS9000 made an adjustment as a result. This one has some scratchiness in the right channel as it warms up, and eventually the left channel gets very distorted/scratchy over 2.5 volume level. I am not where near skilled enough to fix it even with Dillen's kit, so I'm wondering if anyone has found somewhere to send these in the U.S.? Will Atlantic Systems work on equipment this old?

Finally, I wanted to make an observation on the one thing in this entire group that does work nearly flawlessly (knock on wood!). The BeoGram CD50... Out of nothing more than curiosity I plugged this in to my BeoMaster 7000 and OH MY WORD what a fantastic sounding player this is! Perhaps it's simply because the output level seems so much higher than my BG CD7000 but the tone is so mellow and all the details are crystal clear. I can hear every instrument and detail in every song, even with plain old MP3 converted CDs. Snare drums and cymbals in particular sound like they are RIGHT HERE in the room. I think this Japanese made player is heavily overlooked and I am DEFINITELY keeping it. The CD7000, even with the upgraded Nichicon caps and such mine has, certainly doesn't wow me like this one does. I also love the LED segment display for the playback timer. Now I might just have to get a 5000 system to go with it!

beogram8002
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beogram8002
Bronze
Posted September 22, 2013 at 13:15 GMT
#2001839
indeed, the CD50 is special, and when paired with the Beomaster 5000 amp and some Beovox S55 or S45.2 speakers it really is a good system for the study or bedroom :-)

Location: London UK

J(
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Jacquesboo (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 22, 2013 at 14:13 GMT
#2001840

As you will see (I did a detailed post on my problem with my BM 8000)... My tech believe it could be the combination of age + complexity of the machine. But reading a lot ofother beoworld members experiences, I think it is possible to make it sing like it first days...

One of my last idea could be to change the speaker socket, does anybody know if this piece is at risk ?

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Playdrv4me (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 23, 2013 at 12:21 GMT
#2001841

It's also so nicely built. The CD platter feels extremely hefty, and in its own way gorgeous, though not quite as much so as the machined aluminum plate on the CD7000. I did fire up my 7000 tonight and I have to correct a previous statement as the output levels between the two are virtually identical, I'm not sure why I thought the 7000 was lower, but I haven't played with it in 2 or 3 months.

They're both excellent sounding players. But the CD50 has some extremely robust (knock on wood!) Japanese components inside it and it's available for hundreds less than the CD7k as they are rather underappreciated. The RCA pre-outs and available CD Terminal make it a perfect player to use with any system, too. Not just B&O gear. So it's much more versatile. 

Yeah, it's a shame about the 8000. If I can't get it fixed reasonably I'll probably just give it away as it's a huge paperweight to carry around otherwise.

RI
Offline
richhaffner
Bronze
Posted September 23, 2013 at 17:50 GMT
#2001842

Do you want my CD 50 for parts?  See here for what's wrong with it.

Send the BM8000 to

J0
Offline
J0hnbarker
BronzeFounder
Posted September 24, 2013 at 10:40 GMT
#2001843

Playdrv4me wrote:

It's also so nicely built. The CD platter feels extremely hefty, and in its own way gorgeous, though not quite as much so as the machined aluminum plate on the CD7000. I did fire up my 7000 tonight and I have to correct a previous statement as the output levels between the two are virtually identical, I'm not sure why I thought the 7000 was lower, but I haven't played with it in 2 or 3 months.

They're both excellent sounding players. But the CD50 has some extremely robust (knock on wood!) Japanese components inside it and it's available for hundreds less than the CD7k as they are rather underappreciated. The RCA pre-outs and available CD Terminal make it a perfect player to use with any system, too. Not just B&O gear. So it's much more versatile. 

Yeah, it's a shame about the 8000. If I can't get it fixed reasonably I'll probably just give it away as it's a huge paperweight to carry around otherwise.

Open the CD50 up and take a look inside! I suspect you will revise your opinion regarding the build quality.

I do agree though that it is a great sounding deck, but not much use outside of the 5000 system without the optional Terminal remote and IR sensor.

B(
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beaker (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 24, 2013 at 12:23 GMT
#2001844

If you think the CD50 is good, get a CDX and be prepared to be blown away. No remote control but by far the best sounding B&O CD player in my opinion.

beogram8002
Offline
beogram8002
Bronze
Posted September 25, 2013 at 00:03 GMT
#2001845
I really like my CD50, I would love another for my bedroom upstairs, if anyone has a non-working one in the UK please contact me :-)

need things to do with winter around the corner !

Location: London UK

W(
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wesheltonj (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 25, 2013 at 04:42 GMT
#2001846

For repairs in the USA try pyramid audio in Austin, TX. Official repairs, plus old stuff.

C(
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chartz (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 25, 2013 at 08:13 GMT
#2001847

Hi,

I have the three players, and I find it difficult to decide upon which is the best!

The ones that use à Philips mech and chipset are the easiest to restore. Ever done a Sony CDP-101?

I use them regularly, although the most used these days is a Philips CD100, which suits my 1967 Beolab 5000 integrated really well!

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