Gentlemen, I have your Beomaster 1600 update.

Spent a second day clearing this incredibly dirty Beomaster 1600. Layer after layer of grime revealed new information about this Beomaster.

Took the two control adjustment pulleys off and properly cleaned the rollers, which made a huge difference.

Cleaned the tracks (again) on both sides of the belt paths on both panels and adjusted the belt tensions. Real progress here and all clutches perform perfectly except, and wouldn’t you know it, the volume control clutch; which slips. Disappointing, but Martin has a kit for this so no matter.

Next was the switch which was still connected to the cable from the power supply (I missed this small detail somehow) and found the switch was WAY to bulky in movement for the other controls to move. I thought about taking the switch apart, but decided to see if the amplifier would power-up, set the switch to ON, grounded it and plugged in the Beomaster.

Logic would have it that if the previous owner was concerned with the switch that the amplifier worked….. well not this time as the Beomaster remained helplessly dark and silent.

Time to get out the multi-meter and check the fuse…. it was good.

Now what is needed is to become reacquainted with my trusty multi-meter and test to see if there is power to the switch, if so, the power source is OK. Then check to see if there is power after the switch…. but like Søren experienced with his equally dirty Beomaster 4400, I was exhausted and decided to call it a day.

Disappointed for sure, but we’ll see where this all leads. At least the other gift Beomaster 2400.2 was a complete success and oh boy, did it ever come out better than expected.

Jeff

Doing good Jeff, go on and enjoy

I saw one of these in Montreal last year and felt in love with this design at 1st sight. It's missing from my collection though, and this thread has reignited my desire of acquiring a nth B&O receiver. But I have to calm down this hoarding syndrome.

I used to have the Beogram matching it but gave it to a friend. The Beogram 1600 is also a beautiful, simple and slick design.

Anyway, congrats on your acquisition. Plus, the aluminum version is the best looking one (in my opinion that is...). Hope you'll succeed in resurrecting it.

Guillaume

Guillaume,

I REALLY share your enthusiasm for the design perfection of the Beomaster 1600; a stunning achievement, even breathtaking.

I have a regular search on eBay for the Beomaster 1600 as well as (you won’t be surprised) a Beocord 5000.

The Beomaster 1600’s are rare as “hen’s teeth” but those that are offered on eBay have function issues sans exception. In addition, for whatever reason, the exterior condition tends to be rather battered, don’t ask me why.

Beocord 5000’s are almost “common” lately on eBay but their cosmetic condition is generally worse than the Beomaster 1600’s In addition, almost all the Beocord 5000’s I’ve seen on eBay are in “as-is” condition, or “for parts,” so I pass.

My Beomaster 1600 acquisition came as a surprise gift from a good friend in California who also sent a Beomaster 2400.2 that is now quite presentable and fully functional.

Next weekend I am going to put my multi-meter to good use. The power interruption could be anywhere, but I suspect the on/off switch has failed.

I have both the Beomaster 1600 and Beomaster 2400.2 sitting on my dinning room table because I take such pleasure in just looking at them. The Beomaster 1600 needs more work, but the Beomaster 2400.2 is ready to be put away….. but I just am not ready to have it relatively out of sight.

With your restraint notwithstanding, I do hope you find a Beomaster 1600 for your collection.

Thank you for your interest.

Jeff

P.S. Considering your avatar the great friend who sent me these two amplifiers also sent me a Beogram 8000.

Guys,

Here is the culprit, a very badly corroded switch. This is the in-between shot.

Jeff

The completed switch.

Piaf wrote:

The completed switch.

Looks good Jeff. Keep up the good work

Ricardo wrote:

Piaf wrote:

The completed switch.

Looks good Jeff. Keep up the good work

🤒

It lives!

Yep, the Beomaster 1600 lives. It brings in FM stations, tunes them, and basically all functions work properly: the vertical FM sliders, selection switches, Bass, Treble, Bass, Balance, and OFF switch. All the LED’s light up (as you would expect with an LED) and the functioning look is absolutely stunning. What a beautiful design.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is both control belts broke, they survived the cleaning and then 24 hours later just fell apart even though unmolested. Also most of the clutches that were working, now slip.  

However more problematic for me; there is no sound from this Beomaster, not with speakers or headphones.

If this were Jacques, Martin, Søren, Richard….. or a host of others, they would just have at it seeing this as the challenge it is. Unfortunately amplifier rebuilding exceeds my tinkering capabilities.

If anyone has any ideas for a “simple” fix that I might have overlooked, I am all ears.

Otherwise for the present I must be content in that I brought this 1600 back this far. From where it started: the interior with the “no survivors” look, rust everywhere, misaligned top, none of the sliders working, and crud just everywhere; to its rather presentable form.

And as with all restorations it was an interesting experience and I am pleased my friend gifted me with this opportunity.

Jeff   

Check the 22F1 fuse