tigerdog wrote:

Hi everyone.  I'm looking for a vintage B&O receiver that will sound great and look the part in a classic "mid-century modern" home full of scandanavian furniture.  Low listening volumes, only FM and aux (ipod) sources.  Since classic B&O gear is getting up there in age, is there any receiver that stands a better-than-average chance of being reliable for daily use?  

Full disclosure, I've already bought a Beomaster 5000 but am beginning to realize I should have asked questions first and bought later.  😠

Have you bought the 60s Beomaster 5000 receiver?

If so, then get the matching Beolab 5000 amplifier. It's a great sounding pair (I have them) and will fit in great with mid-century interiors (I have one!).

Reliability is a tricky one as electronic components do age. If you are adept at fixing them, B&O are designed to be serviced much more easily than most makes. Or do what I did and get Frede at Classic audio to rebuild a classic 60s 5000 system which sounds as good as anything new for the same money.

The 80s 5000 system has a few problems with the connection between the flip down panel on the front and the main booard but this is fixable. The mute circuit is another weak spot but again fixable. I run a 5500 system with my computer which has been totally reliable given to me by Darren - a beoworld friend.

I should have been more specific - it's the 80s vintage 5000 system.  Flip down is fine,  all buttons work.   

Very good sounding system - possibly the best sounding of this type of design. The progression of these systems in B&O seem to follow the same path. They are designed with not a lot of thought to the cost and the first one is as intended. The bean counters then look at it and the next ones will get some bonuses but the cost of production will be cut by money saving measures - thinner materials, cheaper components.

The 5000 is better made and the amplifiers is excellent. The disadvantage is the remote which is specific to the 5000 unlike the 5500 etc which used Beolink 1000 codes.  However as a previous owner of a 5000 system, I always was most impresssed with it!