The Beomaster 5000 is the better amplifier but the CD7000 is better than the CD50. If you have the CD5500, and it is an earlier one without the singles CD recess, that is the best of all. (Depending on which TDA1541 is fitted! 🙂 ) There is a lot to be said for the original radial Beogram 5000 - rather more sturdy and much better lit that the tangential decks that followed and debatable which actually sounds better. The Beocord 5000 is not autoreverse and so should at least be theoretically better than the later decks. However convenience is much better in the 7000 system and using a Beolink 1000 or 7000 is must superior to the MCP5000. Had them both though the one I have kept is a 5500 which has a far better range of connections than the 7000!

The only other thing I would add in favour of the 5000 is that it has a proper volume controlled preamp out which the later models didnt

The biggest reason for me to pick 6500 was colour, remote and powerlink options. That seemed to be above 5000, 5500 and just not enough to go 7000 unless I wanted black.

I still love my complete Beosystem 6500 in white which is 1991.

Still my Beosystem 6000 from 1981 sounds just as good but the sound in general does not really seem to be that different from Beosystem to Beosystem or passive to active speakers. I also had the Beosound 9000 mkiii which did sound similar to my 6500.

Going from Beosystem 2000 to 6000/8000 then 6000/6500 it was more of convience when it came to picking 6500 to experience. 6000 is more I got it complete with stand and matching Beovox S120 in white + most of the original user guides so very rare in working condition.

It was never really about sound as its when its working right very consistent regardless from unit to unit. Even going back and forth 4 hour train ride each way to Dillen to have it serviced I know I will find it sounded great.

Beomaster 5000:

6,35 mm stereo jack for a headset.

Beomaster 5500 - 7000:

3,5 mm Stereo stereo jack

One cool feature of the beomaster 5000, it has a table top keyboard. :)

these colors were available:

5000: grey / silver

5500 grey / silver and white

6500: black / silver, white

7000: black, black / silver, white

I want to ad a few more things going for the 6500/7000:

1: Powerlink for active and also passive speakers so you are still future proof on either side of what to use

2: Remote options gives MCL , ML, Beolink 1000, Beo4 and more. Fully integrated with Beovision and lights while the parts can still be found easy enough.

3: Resale value is high and still cost among the second hand market especially if it has the matching Beogram record player.