I've lived in the relatively small and now independent country called Georgia which was one of 15 "independent" republics USSR consisted of at the time. The history of Georgia and the Georgian nation dates back 5,000 years further than history of Russia or Ukraine. Georgians are known for their independent spirit. I always knew that I have to know what is on the "other side".
Soviet policy was generally not allowing any imports especially from capitalist countries. Obviously this applied to electronics as well as anything else. During home stereo revolution USSR had few own brands which produced outdated and unreliable electronic equipment.
For many it was considered privileged just to know people who have been able to travel abroad. And of course they would get somewhat decent stereo systems for themselves or to sell on the black market. Prices on those electronics on black market were ridiculously high and selection was very limited. However few could afford them and this is how I have been introduced to quality home stereo. I still clearly remember sensitive buttons on one of early AKAI cassette decks and warm sound of first JBL speakers I have ever seen...
During early high school years I have been able to acquire cassette player/radio made by Hitachi with detachable speakers! It replaced my soviet made record player and introduced me into world of cassette tapes.
But for me personally window to the world of stereo were electronics catalogs and magazines. I was browsing through these treasured catalogs and amazed with variety and range of products available.
On of the magazines that have fallen in my hands was German department store catalog called OTTO from 1983. It had primarily clothing goods with appliances and about 20 of pages with electronics. Catalog's black market price was about 100 roubles which was about an equivalent of $100! At that time 154 roubles would buy you roundtrip airfare price from Tbilis to Moscow (3 hour flight)
However this magazine had few pages that caught my attention and added special value to it. There were pictures of BeoSystem 5000 with BeoVox RL speakers. I knew immediately I had to own this catalog. BeoSystem 5000 have placed world of stereo upside down for me. I have studied pictures for month's, drawer design with hidden controls and display through dark glass panels of BeoCord 5000 was fascinating! MCP 5000 placed on the table looked like spaceship control center! I have made hundreds sketches of the system during boring classes at school.
There was nothing else like B&O. Nothing even close. I have soon realized the prices of the system, obviously B&O was way out of reach.
About year later I had chance to see B&O product in person. One well known black market electronics seller landed as a demo stereo system to my friend.
Stereo consisted of lower end Nakamichi cassette decks along with rosewood BeoMaster 3000-2 Tuner/Amplifier and BeoVox M100 Loudspeakers.
I have inspected and played with BeoMaster for many hours and was fascinated with build quality and superb warm sound quality. Performance of M100 was also very impressive.
During last year in college I had an opportunity to defect to United States. And I did not miss that opportunity. In the early 90-ies I was doing some temporary contracting work for interior designer. One day I came across complete BeoSystem 5500 in the study room of the Upstate New York mansion we were working in. I briefly noticed MCP 5500 with round dial on the table with and 5500 components placed in the wall cabinet just like in that OTTO catalog...
Few of years later in the early eBay times, when people were still afraid of purchases online I've notice relatively decent amount of B&O sold on eBay. I decided it was time for me to upgrade from Sony component system with JBL speakers (which I've purchased almost few month after arrival to states) to something I always dreamed of. I've hunted and eventually bid and won BeoMaster 5000. Unit was available for local pickup. I drove to upper west side where I finally saw it closely. BeoMaster 5000 push open bottom panel. I've paid $125 and practically ran. I was eager to hear sounds produced by this beauty. And of course B&O did not let me down. Sound was impressive. I have purchased rest of the 5000 components shortly to complete 5000. And RL140 a bit later. It was a great feeling to own this piece of B&O history and especially to make my teenage dream come true…
Since then I have upgraded to 5500 primarily for reason of wanting to have BeoLink 1000 and to 7000 eventually. I have and still do own many B&O products from older range to the latest products and will certainly try to make my family's life's accompanied by design and quality of Bang and Olufsen.
I also hope B&O will keep producing timeless products like BeoSystem 5000 which can have such tremendous effect on 13 year old boy for the rest of his life...
Regard, Beoperson...
