I'm pretty sure the two aren't compatible.

For the heck of it I'd bring the Beocenter into a room with no TV and try the BL 5000 there. 'Assume you've put fresh batteries in the remote.

Do you have a plasma TV nearby? They can cause interference with the Beocenter & remote's IR signals.

Something else doesn't seem right. He says he gets perfect sound when hooking up a CD player to the phono inputs. Shouldn't this come out blasting? Perhaps the internal phono preamp is faulty.

One of these just sold for a paltry $395. The seller implies, but doesn't actually state that it's in working condition. Where are all the collectors?

Bonne chance!

Get another BG 5000 or the tangential tracking 5005 (or 5500): -They both were originally sold with the Beosystem 5000 and match it perfectly -They both will operate by remote control as part of the system -They're both virtually always available on eBay

I'd actually assume that, since the cartridge is untested, it doesn't work. It's a well-know fact that with these old MMC cartridges the rubber stylus suspension dries out due to age, causing distortion or channel outage. Given this and the repair and the cosmetic flaws (see the platter), this turntable isn't worth much in my opinion

BL 8000's don't require a special type of cable so pretty sure you could use any of the three types. Here's a comparison.

Afraid not; certainly nothing if it's still under warrantee. And since they know of the problem, you might get lucky.