Sound quality/ reliability comparisons of different beomaster receivers

[bjornklh]

I am wondering if people here had feedback on the different beomaster / beosystem receivers over the years, and which ones sound the best. I have done a lot of research on this with the sources I can find. Would be curious how they sound compared to other vintage audio, from brands like sansui, marantz, newer nad, etc.

The ones I have read some good things, but am also wondering if people had experience with.

901/90.    1000. (early 70s)     3000.    2200 (the older version)

ones i know are good, from other things I have read:

6000.        2400.      5000/5500.     4400

Also would be curious which of the beomasters are the least trouble prone.

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/ comparisons of any of the listed models.

Also, new to the forum, so hi. Also looking for people in the US that refurb vintage B+O.

 

 

 

 

[chartz]

Hi,

My list regarding sound quality comprises:

— 1-Beomaster 4400

— 2-Beomaster 6000

— 3-Beomaster 8000

Then the Beolab 5000 + Beomaster 5000 of 1967.

The other ones are nice too but not as good as the above. To me they are the best and are reliable once restored properly.

I have a penchant for the sheer bulk and elegance of the 8000 though ☺️

 

[matador]

I always feel a little bit “away” of that kind of talk because first I don’t think I have the right ears, ans then because I never know how well are the electronics of my stuff.

That said…

I’ve experienced the well know difference between BM5000 and BM 5500: BM 5000 is “fuller” and “round”. BM5500 is like “average”.

I’ve used a lot a BM1001 which I love: impressive round bass (I’ve heard about a so called “loudness effect” on that receiver…), sounds clear, perfect to my tastes and for the “demo”, analog and digital. When it felt ill I had to replace it with a BM901.
I love the 901: beautiful sleek design and it performed so well that when the 1001 came back, it was difficult to go back. So it will always be a secret love.

A borrowed BC7700, as expected same signature that the BM5000.

All those with S45-2 or P50. I’m now in a 1990-2000 mood but that were a good time…

[bjornklh]

Thank you for the replies. Up until this point i mostly only collected classic audio like marantz, sansui, and Nad/ rotel. Very much into sound quality. Just hooked my beomaster 6000 up the other night, and was very happy. Very refined / good quality sound. Compares well with a lot of other gear I have.

I do have to figure out a way to get my volume control working on my 6000 again. From what I understand this is a common issue.

I may have to add a 5000 to my must find list, a lot of people saying its good.

I am glad the 901 sounds good too, i really like the design of those. Sometimes the most simple amplifiers can sound the very best.

 

So far my collection is: 6000/ 2400/ 2200

going to maybe find a 901 and a 5000 as well. I hope i am not missing anything else.

Do the newer 1980s and 1990s units sound as good as the classic ones?

[AdamS]

bjornklh wrote:

So far my collection is: 6000/ 2400/ 2200 going to maybe find a 901 and a 5000 as well. I hope i am not missing anything else. Do the newer 1980s and 1990s units sound as good as the classic ones?

Yes – you’re missing Beomaster 8000! Still the best sounding receiver B&O ever made, in my humble opinion.

Some of the 1980s and 1990s units are very good, with the 5000 being a particular high. As has been mentioned, the later 5500/6500/7000 models never seem to sound quite as good, but they can be modified to undo these differences and make them sound much more like the 5000.

[bjornklh]

Thanks for all the feedback. Yes, I would *LOVE* to have an 8000, but they are hard to find, especially in the US.

I now have a 6000, a 2200 and a 2400. the 2200 is wonderful sounding, as is the 6000. One thing i noticed for sure is these beomasters really love being hooked to beogram speakers, more so then anything else I have tried.

So, i guess my next question is which speakers should i be looking for?

I am thinking of the following,

cx100, s35, 1702, s75-2

any thoughts on which ones are best sounding? do you loose much sound quality using the smaller ones like the cx100 vs something like the s75 or s35?

Thanks again for everyones feedback. 🙂

[chartz]

I love the M70s. Definitely something to look for. Tim wrote an excellent article in HFN&RR a few years ago.

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