Have you seen the prices - makes B&O seem cheap!

Probably belts - it whirrs when the system is on because the capstan is moving.

Actually not that much - £3337 in today's money - inflation has been pretty low!

I am sure Martin (Dillen on site) can come up with a kit for you. This is the type of plug you need for the Airport Express. The speakers you have are some of the most accurate B&O made - very well balanced - I have two pairs and they are difficult to beat. They do lack ultimate bass though. Have a look out for some S75s if this is what you want

I would suggest that the cap kit and some soldering could well fix the 8000. The fact it does work at times is very positive. The CDX could be poor solder joints as this is a common fault but could also be the spindle motor needing a good clean and service. Does it have particular problems with CDs with lots of tracks? If so, I would suspect the motor

I guess you need a software update.

I wonder if it is the laser trying to get a focus. The first thing to do is to clean the lens. The top comes off easily and the laser is easy to get at. If that makes no difference, I suspect the laser needs adjusting - some of these CDs develop faulty components which affect the laser focusing. Your problem will be a dealer will diagnose a failing

I bought some of the last new ones available. Excellent speakers - best if you are sitting down though as the tweeters are then at the correct level!

I no longer have one - I did but lent it to a member who never got round to sending it back.

No, but we did evolve from a single celled organism. The article about Frede is my favourite part.