Because I caught the Beovirus many, many years ago (okay, decades ago) I have a pretty large collection of Beogram turntables. I can’t bear to part with any of them as they all perform satisfactorily for me.
As was mentioned earlier, the cartridge and stylus are a big (biggest) factor in the resulting sound. The platter stability and tonearm do play important parts of course but you have to begin with a good cartridge to start comparing the various turntables with.
Like Jacques (chartz), I prefer the tangential Beogram models. My first one was a Beogram 4002 back in the 70’s. I purchased a Beogram 8002 in the 80’s. Since then I have been lucky to acquire Beogram 4000, various types of 4002, 4004, 8000 and 9500 tangential models (all restored). I have two restored radial Beogram turntables. A Beogram 3000 (Thorens + B&O) and a Beogram 5000.
My favorites to listen to are the Beogram 8002 and Beogram 4002. Specifically the ones I purchased in the 70’s and 80’s. I still have them and they perform like new, having had a bit of restoration work.
My favorite B&O cartridges are the MMC 20CL and the MMC-2.
I am just as happy listening to the other models however and what I think that means is Bang & Olufsen designed and built really good turntables that hold up over time if taken care of.
It’s too bad B&O didn’t retain their cartridge/stylus business and were still producing them today.
-sonavor