Hello -

I recently acquired a Beomaster 4400 and Beocord 1900.  They were well cared for by their owner (the original one, I was told), and are both in extremely good shape.  I would appreciate the Forum's advice on two issues:

1. When I turn the Beocord off I get a popping sound through the speakers.  I sometimes get the same effect when I turn it on, although this is not consistent.  The popping occurs whether the Beomaster's tape button is depressed or not, i.e., even when I'm simply listening to the record deck or the radio.  It also occurs even if the receiver's volume is turned all the down.  The tape deck is connected to the receiver with twin sets of RCA plugs, rather than a DIN plug.  I doubt if I will use the tape deck regularly, if at all.  I'd like to know, though, whether the popping is normal, and if not, can I simply ignore it without fear of doing some damage to the receiver or speakers when I turn it off and on.

2.  My second question is, what is the recommended maximum length for speaker wires?  I'd like to try the ambiphonic sound some time, and this will require the use of wires 30 to 35 feet long so I can run them out of view.  Will that effect the signal quality?  Would I benefit from the use of a heavier gauge wire, rather than the gauge used in the standard B&O speaker wires?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

John