questions about Beosystem 5500

16 replies
R(
rckeller (archived2)
Bronze
6 posts
Posted July 15, 2020 at 17:41 GMT
#2141205

Hello all, I'm new to this incredible resource. 

A neighbor was recently giving away a Beosystem 5500, so I snapped it up for a basement system. It included a Beomaster 5500, 2 Beocord 5500s, a Beogram 5500, and a Beogram CD-5500, as well as a pair of Penta 1 active speakers. However, it did not include the MCP or any other remote, nor are there any speaker cables. 

As I understand it, I can't control the system manually without the MCP or a Beolink or other appropriate remote, and the speaker cables are proprietary. Is that correct? I'd love to salvage the system, but don't really want to invest anything in it until I know it's all functional. (Let's just say I have a history with restoring vintage bicycles and guitar amps, so have burned through virtually all credibility with my wife on this kind of thing!) So far everything appears to be operational when I plug it in, but I still don't know if it actually works. 

Do any of you have any advice on how to test the system and see if it's in basic working order before investing any money in it?

Thanks for any tips you can share! Rick

Leosgonewild
Leosgonewild
Bronze
2612 posts
Posted July 15, 2020 at 17:52 GMT
#2141206
Get a used Beolink 1000. Should set you back 10-20€

Leosgonewild
Leosgonewild
Bronze
2612 posts
Posted July 15, 2020 at 17:53 GMT
#2141207
And you can use regular speaker wires 😁
R(
rckeller (archived2)
Bronze
6 posts
Posted July 15, 2020 at 18:03 GMT
#2141208

Thanks for your replies! How would I connect regular speaker wires to the Beomaster? It seems to require a connecter type that I've not seen before. Thanks again

H1
h1npw
BronzeFounder
439 posts
Posted July 16, 2020 at 06:10 GMT
#2141209

Hi & welcome to Beoworld.

The first thing to say is that you’ve been given one hell of system that if working correctly is capable of stunning audio performance. In good working condition it’s going to be worth circa £1k+.  HOWEVER.... you will almost certainly have to invest some time and money in getting it working as it should; if you don’t have to, you will probably have used up all your good luck for the next few years!

Do you have the cables to connect the Beograms and Beocords to the Beomaster? If so, you should be able to get a reasonable idea of it’s functionality by using headphones into the Beomaster.

If you upgrade your membership level on this site, it will give you access to all the user manuals if you don’t already have them.

Realistically you should expect to need to service the Beograms and Beocords, re-tip the stylus in the MMC cartridge and replace the foam surrounds in the midrange drivers of the Pentas (4 in each!). The speaker amplifiers and Beomaster, whilst not immune to problems, are reasonably bullet proof.

If the Pentas are active as you say, then you will need some B&O powerlink cables to connect the Beomaster to the Pentas. 

I have spare Beolink 1000 remote controls if you’d like one to help you accurately ascertain what functionality you’ve got. Whereabouts are you?

Cheers

Nigel

H1
h1npw
BronzeFounder
439 posts
Posted July 16, 2020 at 06:42 GMT
#2141210

I’m guessing you’re from the States?

I’ve looked at the price on eBay of Beolink 1000s over there... I think I’ll set up a business buying them over here and selling them over there!

Shipping would be circa $20

Cheers

Nigel 

DI
Dillen
BronzeModeratorFounder
12777 posts
Posted July 16, 2020 at 07:01 GMT
#2141211

The speaker plugs are standard 2-pin DIN.
Nothing strange about that. Actually this is the only industry standard plug for home stereo speakers in the world.
It's everything else that is non-standard.

For plugs look at Ebay or ask at Beoparts.

Martin

Stoobie
Stoobie
Gold
970 posts
Posted July 16, 2020 at 20:27 GMT
#2141212

If they are Beolab Pentas do they not need different plugs to feed the displays?

Looking at the manual it looks like there are no Powerlink sockets. 

Stoobie 

Exeter, Devon, UK
DI
Dillen
BronzeModeratorFounder
12777 posts
Posted July 16, 2020 at 21:24 GMT
#2141213

Beomaster 5500 has no Powerlink.

Martin

H1
h1npw
BronzeFounder
439 posts
Posted July 17, 2020 at 11:12 GMT
#2141214

To use an Americanism... “My bad”...

 

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