Is there any advice anyone can give me on my first purchase of a record player? I'm going to start a vinyl collection. I'm not sure which B&O is the best to get! I'm pretty sure i want one with the tangential arm mechanism and i plan to connect it to the AUX in of a BeoSound 4. The BeoGram 9500 / 4500 is beautiful, and obviously i'm going to need one with an riaa amplifier so that it works through the the AUX. 

Beogram 6000 quad! Has built in RIAA and as the BS4 has no Datalink then remote is not an option anyway. To be honest, I would actually not be worried about the RIAA. I would get the deck you want and use an external RIAA. Probably better quality anyway. I would get a 4000 series deck though! 4000/4002/4004/6000. I would also get a Soundsmith cartridge - I have a SMMC20EN which is excellent though I would get a SMMC20CL+ if they did one in silver!!

Well you've covered the most important point for turntable beginners - the need for an amplifier. Turntables have a lower signal than tape/cd units but assume you have an older amplifier with the special turntable input. Many new units have an inbuilt preamp so you can plug it into anything

Remote is less important for vinyl as you will want to clean the record each time anyway!

I think your original choices are quite good, given that you'll be connecting to a BeoSound 4. But I don't know enough about RIAA in the 4500/8500/9500.

I do know that the 8500's finish might be a closer match to the foot of the BeoSound 4, while the 9500 is very mirror image ... they're otherwise identical.
 

Oh thanks for the quick reply, ah yes i LOVE the look and philosophy of the 4000 series, but are they as good as the later models?? I'm wanting a hassle free setup (the later ones can be found all over the place), and i'm not wanting remote control. Would it be better to do what you suggest Peter, and get a seperate preamp? Or will that be too expensive and fussy? I also don't believe i'll find a Beogram 4000 here, never seen one ever!

Yes the shiny finish is preferable, as a white one wouldn't match! I see a black 7000 on ebay which i'm druelling over, it's going to skyrocket isn't it! Bang&Olufsen Beogram 7000,Black,MMC5,Wie neu !!!!!!!!!! 

Well, if matching isn't an issue, then I would go for a mint condition Beogram 1200.

http://www.beocentral.com/products/bg1200

 

I think the Beosystem 7000 record player would be too boxy next to the BeoSound 4. A mint 8500 would match nicely, and the above would be a talking point. 

Oh no where would i find one of these beauties?! The bs4 is up on the mantel and the record player would be about 3 metres away in or on a cabinet. The black 7000 would be stunning in a shelf or cupboard, but yes the 8500 would be perfect.

 

Ps i really like the 1202, for design 

Any record deck would work - an external RIAA can be hidden and can be regarded just as a junction box. Just choose the deck you like and can afford. You don't have to limit yourself to B&O of course! Michell make some very good looking decks which will probably outperform all Beograms.

David:

Ps i really like the 1202, for design 

For pure authenticity you should look for a Beogram 1200, if you decide to go that route, as this is the unit that was selected by the Museum of Modern Art together with another six of Jacob Jensen's designs. The 1202 looks quite similar, yet ...

They're not as expensive as you'd think. A friend of mine in Sweden came across one in perfect working order, together with a Beomaster 1200, for €90. (When looking, make certain it has the metallic platter, with the raised points for the record to rest on. There are some with a rubber platter, I think, but that doesn't look as nice. I may be mistaken.)

Matching makes a difference. Here's a combination I never thought of ...

 

There is a nice Beogram 8500 for sale at this second life dealer:

http://www.beosecondlife.nl/product_info.php?cPath=38_40&products_id=96

I'd go with Peter's suggestion and get a BG 6000 quad, as you'll have the best of both worlds in terms of the looks and exceptional build quality of the 4000 series decks, and the fact that it has a built in RIAA amp. 

Well, don't get the impression that I'm against the 4000/4002/6000 decks. I'm listening to this now. Keep an eye open and you'll find one. It took me about six months of trolling internet listings before I came across a Beogram 4000 in mint condition.

 

Also look for Beogram 8002.

Mine sounds awesome when working correctly but the system is on the way to Dillen for age service/tjeck.

Funny fact is using 5 pins lets the Beogram work with no problems.

I've been using the Soundsmith SMC2 and they do the job very good. Highly recommended!

I still got my first Beogram 1202 and needs to have the DIN stick+ voltage stick on but otherwise working 100% ok and looking very good for its age.

I was wondering what Beomaster and Beocord would compliment a Beogram 1202 in rosewood? 900/901?

Have just been given a Beogram 1202, not bad condition but has not got the lovely looking platter. Could you please help me, where or wereabouts could I locate one?.

Thanks

Zac

Ring Lee at Lifestyle - he might be able to help! I know he has at least one platter.