Hi folks, Mike here.  I'm brand new to the world of Bang & Olufsen and am glad to of found your forum! 

I acquired a 1990/91 Beomaster 6500, Beocord 6500 and Beogram CD6500 in great used shape last week.  The original owners didn't have the Master Control Panel that came with it originally.  Been doing lots of reading/research on the various B&O controllers since bringing them home, but I'm lost.  I believe the individal Beo units are functioning ok (they power up, LED's function, tape mechanism does it's stuff, drawers work fine, etc.) but without the ability to adjust volume, etc. I can't tell if I bought good or bad gear.

My question is:  Will a Beolink 1000 or Master Control Panel 5500 work as an adequate controller for the Beomaster 6500?  I'd love to find a Master Control Panel 6500 but they seem real scarce (and double the price or more if available). 

 Thanks for any advice,

Mike

Hi Mike, welcome to beoworld!  The 6500 is a great system.  The beolink 1000 remote, which you can always find on ebay easily, will easily control all the everyday usage functions of your system.  It can't however be used for any kind of programming.  If you want a newer fancier remote, the Beo4 will also work fine.  If you want to be able to use the programming and two-way communication features, then you'll need one of the MCPs.  I'm pretty sure the 5500 MCP does everything for your system that the 6500 MCP does.  If I remember correctly it's basically identical to the 6500 MCP and is only different visually.  You may want to pick up a beolink 1000 remote either way though, as many people who have the MCPs also like being able to use the beolink 1000 for everyday use when they're not using the more advanced features.  The beolink 5000 and 7000 remotes also feature 2-way communication and programming, but aren't as common to come by, and the 7000 costs far more than you're likely to want to spend.

Hope that was some help,

Austin 

camshaft:

Hi Mike, welcome to beoworld!  The 6500 is a great system.  The beolink 1000 remote, which you can always find on ebay easily, will easily control all the everyday usage functions of your system.  It can't however be used for any kind of programming.

A little clarification - the radio presets can be programmed with a Beolink 1000 ("goto <frequency> store <preset no> store"), but not the other functions like timed recordins, programmed play etc. However, I have now all the remotes that were mentioned (BL1000, Beo4, MCP6500) and the one I use all the time is the Beolink 1000, so I you don't want or need any of the more complicated stuff, you'll be happy with just that. Then maybe get the MCP later when a good deal comes along. MCP5500 should be functionally identical.

One caveat, though - if someone has decided to turn on the pesky loudness function on the Beomaster and stored it, you may need a particular type of Beolink 1000 (Mk.2 with "reset" button?) or the MCP to get rid of it. Or did this only apply to Beomaster 5500?

The 7000 is easier - on a BL1000, press SOUND 4 times to reach the loudness function. It is only the 5500 that is a pain! I think the 6500 is the same as the 7000 but have never had one of these!

Agreed Peter - the BL7000 is easier but will be expensive.

The Beomaster 6500 is the same as the 7000 regarding the functions and only the 5500 has the loudness cancelling problems. Personally I think the beolink 1000 (any version) is far better for everyday use than the Beo4 with your system.

Chris.

 

Great information guys!  Thanks so much for steering me straight.  I think I'll keep my eyes peeled for both the Beolink 1000 (as the daily-driver) and also one of the MCP's (either the 5500 or 6500) if I can find one that's affordable.

One more question:  does anyone have a source for the Male-DIN speaker connectors for tieing non-B&O loudspeakers with the Beomaster 6500 amp?  I can make up my own cables as long as I've got the male connectors....or I'd also be willing to buy pre-made cables so long as the length's were sufficient.

Thanks again for your help,

Mike

Can usually just grab them on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-for-Bang-Olufsen-DIN-Speaker-Adapter_W0QQitemZ290226570428QQcmdZViewItem

Thank you Austin.

Medogsfat:

Agreed Peter - the BL7000 is easier but will be expensive.

The Beomaster 6500 is the same as the 7000 regarding the functions and only the 5500 has the loudness cancelling problems. Personally I think the beolink 1000 (any version) is far better for everyday use than the Beo4 with your system.

Chris.

 

I agree with you. I meant the Beosystem 7000  was simpler to change loudness on than the BS5500. The BL1000 is a great remote and practically indestructible!

Peter :

Medogsfat:

Agreed Peter - the BL7000 is easier but will be expensive.

The Beomaster 6500 is the same as the 7000 regarding the functions and only the 5500 has the loudness cancelling problems. Personally I think the beolink 1000 (any version) is far better for everyday use than the Beo4 with your system.

Chris.

 

I agree with you. I meant the Beosystem 7000  was simpler to change loudness on than the BS5500. The BL1000 is a great remote and practically indestructible!

Too right they're virtually indestructable. To my mind the finest item ever produced by B&O, it encompasses everything that they stand for, style, build quality, materials, longevity & ease of use - a true classic which will take some surpassing.

Chris.