Want to learn to work on vintage B&O audio -where to start?

12 replies
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beotexas (archived)
Bronze
Posted September 13, 2010 at 12:27 GMT
#1916088
I have a couple of general elec circuitry books a friend gave me and have read some basic web pages on circuitry etc.
I don't know much but am motivated. I have not even ever soldered anything and have chunky hands, I barely know the diff from a capacitor and a carrot! but I do have passion to learn. The vintage pieces are too amazing to be on a trash heap. I had a BG4002 and 5500 stackables in the 90's.
Suggestions?? Anyone near me in Austin TX want a protege??Thanks.
TO
Offline
tournedos
Bronze
Posted September 13, 2010 at 13:24 GMT
#1916089

Here's what I wrote last year and as you see, was flooded with feedback 😎

I'll just add that if you don't know how to solder, don't practice with B&O - there's plenty of expendable junk (or just cheap kits that blink a couple of LEDs, or whatever) available for that purpose...

The mechanical aspect of the repairs... well, one either is handy, or not. Some people can fabricate perfect reproduction spare parts out of CD covers, ballpoint pens and bicycle inner tubes, while others manage to destroy everything they try to take apart. I guess the only way to improve there is patience!

AJ
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ajames
Bronze
Posted September 13, 2010 at 13:33 GMT
#1916090

I learnt the basics many years ago by building a radio - started of as a crystal set and then an amplifier was added - all built on a peice of wood - It was I beleive a ladybird book when I was at school. Might still be available on ebay or something. Good for learning what components are and what they do. I think there might also be electronic kits that you could probably still get.

I agree though that B&O would not be best to start with. Good luck

Andrew

Location: United Kingdom

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Peter
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Peter
Gold
Posted September 13, 2010 at 13:37 GMT
#1916091

I would suggest that a good Beomaster to learn on would be the 70s

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beovision-11.png Beovision-11.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound-Stage.png Beosound-Stage.png
Beosound-Moment.png Beosound-Moment.png
Beosound-5.png Beosound-5.png
Beosound-2.png Beosound-2.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoplay-Portal.png Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolit.png Beolit.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
C(
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Craig (archived)
Bronze
Posted September 13, 2010 at 14:36 GMT
#1916092

ajames wrote:

 It was I beleive a ladybird book when I was at school.

Used to have a copy of that myself. You used a piece of wood, and screws with cups to make the connections.

 

Craig🙂

C(
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Craig (archived)
Bronze
Posted September 13, 2010 at 14:43 GMT
#1916093

After a quick Ebay search I have found the following.

link

FR
Offline
francoisvl
Bronze
Posted September 13, 2010 at 15:47 GMT
#1916094

I always wanted to be able to repair my own B&O. I am able to solder and have replaced entire sets of capacitors on for e.g. a BM 1900. Should the problem be more than capacitors then I'm totally clueless :( Usually capacitors aren't the only problem. My brother is an electronic engineer but he lives in a different country to me unfortunately but surely I must also have some talent towards this type of thing as well!!! Just need to find a way of learning!!

AJ
Offline
ajames
Bronze
Posted September 14, 2010 at 08:02 GMT
#1916095

Crikey - never thought I would see that again - almost tempted to bid on it out of nostalgia

Location: United Kingdom

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
W(
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wirralsimon (archived)
Bronze
Posted September 14, 2010 at 09:37 GMT
#1916096

 

Craig wrote:

After a quick Ebay search I have found the following.

A copy of the book

All the parts needed in one kit.

 

Craig🙂

 

That isa really tempting!

goes back to an earlier era  of electronics that is fast disappearing.

 

Simon

B(
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beotexas (archived)
Bronze
Posted September 14, 2010 at 19:45 GMT
#1916097
Thanks all. but I'm in the US.
I love this site, but I wish there was as good a forum based in US. And it's sickening to see the prices (and freebies) and all the expert repair work more commonly available in Europe. In the US, good, reasonably priced vintage B&O is rare. example- a CDX just went for $428 USD on US ebay.

And repairs are expensive, done properly or not. I'm mad B&O doesn't support their vintage stuff, but I guess it wouldn't be cost effective? I personally do not want their current stuff. over, and thanks for the thoughtful comments.
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