I have some old records I would like to play from time to time. Which beogram should be the best investment, and will be able to interact best with my setup? I have a BS3000 as audiomaster, and a phono button on my Beo4...

Bart

To the BS 3000 you can connect a TT with build in preamp direct to AUX in, without preamp build into the TT you will need a preamp and the proper cables. Search the forum for Beogram with preamp

Design is a mather of personal taste, I like the BG 3000 series (tangential tracking), where the BG 4500 has a build in RIAA, from a mecanics point of view i prefere the older radial tracking decks, simple mecanics and elektronics, easy to repair and even so, good sound, considering that most of saved vinyl today is in lesser than mint condition, I would go for a radial tracking BG and buy a new cartridge like MMC4, a new cartridge is a must in whatever BG you buy today (if not fitted from seller). But check the product list here and Beocentral, deside what you want, and go hunting, as you are in Europe, you have more choices than us over here. And as you are in Netherlands, ask Leslie on this forum, he has some decks that may be worth a try (if he wants to sell)

And keep us informed, we like to see where you go, and maybe you get the Beovirus, I started with a BG 2404 and now I try to get complete sets, with the corrosponding speakers.

Generally, the tangential (linear) tracking Beograms are the most desirable.

The rarest of these is unquestionably the Beogram 4000, the first tangential tracker.

Very similar in styling and sound quality is the Beogram 4002/4004.

The next in the series is the Beogram 8000 and 8002, very precise mechanics and digital technology.

These two first "generations" of tangential decks are my favourites.

The next generation started with the Beogram 5005 and afterwards, essentially the same deck appears as the 5500, 6500, 7000, 3000, 3500, 4500, 8500, 9000 etc.

Unless you want to mess about with a stand alone RIAA pre amp and associated cables and hassle you are limited to one of the following 5.

Beogram 3500, 4500, 6500, or 7000 from the modern lightweight series or the Beogram 6000Quad from the heavyweight earlier series.

I think that the RIAA-question is kinda overrated. A preamplifier of reasonable quality can be bought for about 50 euros: http://www.thomann.de/dk/art_deejaypre_ii.htm

The Beogram 3500, 4500, 6500 and 7000 are expensive because of the included RIAA drawing the prices up. They are of course also somewhat rarer than the other Beograms. 

Not much hassle with cables, just the right converter from 5 or 7 pin DIN to two RCA plugs and an earth-wire. I use this setup with my Beocenter 9300 and a Beogram 4002 and 8002 without any problems

Hi Bart,

What styles/forms do you like most? Cubic like BeoGram 5000-7000, 4000 etc. or more flattened like BG4500/9500?

Here a high quality RIAA solution for older BeoGram turntables:

http://www.lifestyle-av.co.uk/details.asp?sectionId=4&productId=7094

Regards from Holland,

Robert

Agree with my brother in name, Søren, a preamp is, with the right cables, easy to connect I've had both my BGs connected to my BS3000 through preamp, no problem.

Bart:

Thanks for your help? Which beogram is in terms of styling and functionality the most desirable?

Just my opinion: BG8002     Here a BG6002 impression   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq4AsRYtUZo&NR=1

Most desired on the forum: BG4000 series, BG8000 series and BG4500

Much easier to just plug and play!

I've tried loads of the cheap pre amps and so far they have all been rubbish, including the one marketed by our sponsors. The cables introduce more humm and the pre amps are not made for the low output from a MMC cartridge.

Yes, they do a job if you are not willing to spend out on the better option.

I first fell for B&O in the eighties, so a Beosystem 5500 is very much of my taste. I nearly bought a 9500 but decided later to the 2300 which better fitted my finance by then.

A few years ago I saw a set like the 5500 in white on a Danish fleemarket for €250. Couldn't bring it with me to Holland so I let it go, alas.

A pre-amp is not too important, but I would like to control it with my remote via the AUX-port of my BS3000, so it can't be too old!

And thanks for all your responses, I'll dig a bit deeper on your recommendations!!

Bart

You'll have to use a pre-amplifier, the signal coming from a cartridge is very small and in need of amplification and equalization to sound well.

AFAIK, you are not able to control any turntable from a Beosound 3000, the Datalink (if it is equipped) plug is a little different and won't work with any Beogram.

Your Beosound 3000 does not have Datalink so you won't be able to remote control the turntable, which ever option you choose!