Beomaster 6000 Power-On Issue

[Glitch]

I might be interested in the CPU(s). It is not clear to me what you mean by “rewriting the original program”. Can you elaborate more about what you were thinking?

I’ve already started a project to re-CPU my broken BM6000. I’ve built a rough prototype with a modern CPU. I’ve written software to perform the basic functionality (i.e. buttons, displays, volume, FM, etc.). This software also includes main board debug capability. I was working on adding remote control communication and Datalink communication when I got sidetracked by other projects.

I then got another “parts” BM6000 which had a broken volume motor. I scavenged the motor from the BM6000 with the bad CPU to fix the “parts” machine. This pushed my re-CPU project from the back-burner to off-the-stove.

Re-CPU-ing the receiver opens up many possibilities to integrate the BeoSystem 6000 with modern audio networks. I have a dozen or so ideas so far. I have even implemented a couple of them on my prototype setup. I hope to get back to this project someday. I’ll need to find a replacement volume motor to make my prototype bench viable again. Do you happen to have a spare volume motor?

I’ve also been toying around with a more ambitious BM6000 project than the re-CPU one. I wouldn’t need a volume motor for this, but it would take significantly more resources to complete.

Glitch

[artig]

I’ve never owned a BM6000 and apart from the CPUs I don’t have any parts for them.

I meant if anyone who can write 3870 assembler code and wants to re-create the functionality of the original program, as you are doing with a modern processor, then the piggyback CPU would be available.

BTW someone else has already been through the process of making a plug-in replacement for the CPU, using a PIC processor. It would be good to see a pooling or resources for anyone else who might be interested in reviving a BM6000.

[Glitch]

artig wrote:

I meant if anyone who can write 3870 assembler code and wants to re-create the functionality of the original program, as you are doing with a modern processor, then the piggyback CPU would be available.

Anyone that would want to do that is far more hardcore than me. I did that kind of stuff back in the early eighties. I don’t think I’ve ever nostalgically reminisced about those times, thinking of them as the “good ‘ol days”  ;-).

When I was writing the re-CPU software, I kept thinking to myself that it would have taken months to write the assembly code that I was able to crank out in a few days in a high-level language.

artig wrote:

BTW someone else has already been through the process of making a plug-in replacement for the CPU, using a PIC processor. It would be good to see a pooling or resources for anyone else who might be interested in reviving a BM6000.

I wasn’t aware that anyone did a re-CPU of a BM6000. I read of a guy that did a re-CPU(s) of a BM8000. I think he based that on PICs. The thread was titled something like “BM8000 brain transplant”.

Do you have any links to the BM6000 PIC project?

I don’t think that I would be able to do what I planned with a PIC. Every time I revisit the “wish list” for the project, I feel the need to use a more powerful processor.

Glitch

 

 

[Glitch]

Thank you for the links.

I did a quick search but didn’t notice any follow-ups after the initial thread (a year ago). I wonder how much interest that there is in modernizing equipment of this era.

Glitch

[quattttro]

Would be a cool project. What kind of modernization were you thinking?

[Glitch]

quattttro wrote:

What kind of modernization were you thinking?

Anything from duplicating the basic stock functionality (on a modern CPU) to something that would operate similar to a Sonus device.

I’ve already started on creating a two-way, RF-based remote control.

I’m curious about what what kind of functionality that others would consider important. Integration into modern B&O networks? Integration into other networks (Matter, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, etc.)? Would anyone even bother with the BeoSystem 6000 generation of equipment if it was updated?

Glitch

 

[quattttro]

I acquired a new CPU from Artig (thanks again!) and the machine fired right up, works perfectly. I guess that proves my old CPU was very much dead.

[Glitch]

Congratulations!  It is good to hear that another BM6000 has avoided being parted out.

I might end up parting out my dead-CPU BM6000. As of now, it needs a CPU and a volume motor. It is kind of a shame since it is fully restored otherwise (reflowed, recapped, sliders/switched cleaned/lubed, FM aligned, LEDs rebuilt, etc.). The cosmetic condition of the machine (~5/10) is such that it would be cost prohibitive to fix (i.e. the parts would cost more than the fixed receiver is worth).

Glitch

[quattttro]

That’s a shame, but it’s always handy to have a few spare parts.

[Glitch]

Now that I think about it, it isn’t too much of a shame since I’ve already had fun working on it and learned some new things in the process. Also, I now have a solid machine on which to experiment with my crazy ideas. Hacking this into something unique may provide more entertainment than doing a restoration.

Glitch

[Jorgr Alvarez]

hi Glitch, Christian and Quattttro’

I own a BM 6000 for the last 6 years, since I bought it in 2018, it exhibits the same fault as yours.

The fault is “ambient temperature dependant” and I still have not fixed it.

When I power it manually (I do not have the remote control) only random symbols light up on display but will not come alive, nothing works, it will power off if I press the off button,  but I noticed that it will power up and function well in warm weather, when room temperature is above below 25 Celciurs it will power up and function well, so when winter comes, overnight room temperature drops down to below 20 degree celciurs it will not power up next morning, after using a hair dryer to heat up the microprocessor board, under the display, it will power up all and off all day, as it warms up internally. But next morning, need to heat it up with hair dryer again for a couple of minutes, to make it function.
I am tired of doing this and want to fix it, I may replace capacitors in CPU board and re-solder suspect solder joins. I believe I need to take precaution and strap my wrist to the chassis and to bench surface, this I am not familiar with.

I hope the above info is useful to you or to anyone, as I found out the above facts, by accident.

I am well versed in Analog audio electronics but not in Digital electronics, I was trained in early 70’s and remember learning Digital circuits “gates” but have vague knowledge about Microprocessors.

Jorge the Radio Tradesman

[Author]

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