I have 4 working turntables including 2 beograms, an 1800 and a 3400. Thinking about reducing my inventory a bit. Which of these beograms if either of the beogram models is a definite keeper over the other. Thanks.

You need to be a little more specific - there are two types of each Beogram!

Beogram 1800:

Type 5213 - rare and unusual early turntable with novel lid with enclosed sides - a keeper though I doubt this is the one you have! Takes SP cartridges.

Type 5811-5 - First of the last series of radial Beograms. Looks impossibly slim and is very elegant. No Datalink and was designed really to go with non B&O systems. Tales the MMC1-5 type cartridge. Quite common as they were big sellers but that was because they were good!

Beogram 3400

Type 5703 - Quite a rare deck - looks just like a 1900 and shares the slightly unusual drive mechanism of drive belt and idler wheel unlike the later simpler belt drive decks. It could be fitted with a CD4 decoder and if so fitted, this is unusual and well worth keeping.

Type 5726 - This was a US only model and looked similar to the 2200 with a sloping front and buttons on the front. There was also a 3404 which was much the same but had the circuit in place so it could be operated by remote via a Beomaster 2400. To complicate issues still further, a later model with the new arm from the 1700 also existed!

Hope that helps!

As you have described

i must have the not so rare versions of both. My 1800 then would be the 5811-5 and it is very slim and elegant. The 3400 would be the 5726. By your description I'm sure of that as well. Are the cartridges interchangeable on these two tables?

Unfortunately, they use different cartridge types. I think I would probably keep the 3400 as I think the 1800, although beautiful, is just too lightweight. The 3400 with a MMC20CL cartridge would take a lot of beating by anything.

Thanks for the reply.

I looked again for myself a bit closer and could see a sizeable difference in the cartridges. The 3400 also has the MMC 20EN on it now. How does that compare to the cartridge you mentioned.

I've been following this thread, I really dont se the problem here, if I was you, I would keep both decks. Think about it, you will have something to do in the long winter nights, and when finishing the works with cleaning, lubricating, adjusting and polishing everything, you will have two beautiful pieces, and if you only have one reciecer/amp and two speakers, for the next winter you start buying a set for the second deck. Who knows, maybe you will get the BeoVirus.

I actually have 5 decks fully functional, I mis-counted the first time. And a couple more that could be made functional with a little work perhaps. Anyway I was thinking about moving a couple out and wanted to keep one Beo but maybe I will end up keeping them both.

I have one dead deck and about 3 or 4 that almost work ... tone arm movement being the biggest issue :-(