Loooong time B&O admirer finally putting together his system. Here's the predicament; I currently have a Beomaster 4500 in very good condition. Not to mention I absolutely love the way it sounds. Here's the thing, I have an opportunity to get a Beocenter 9000 which is also supposedly in pretty good condition. "Pretty good" meaning it has a very small nick and the CD door needs a little push to close. It's also priced right, IMO.

Depends what speakers you have. The 9000 has no amplifiers, so unless you have a pair of BeoLab speakers, it will be next to useless without another external amp (a route you want to avoid!).

Thanks for that info. So in other words I would need active speakers for the 9000? That's something I didn't factor in.

Unfortunately Alex is incorrect -- the BeoCenter 9000 does indeed have inbuilt amplifiers.

WHOA! the bc9000 has both amp and passive connectors - i thk alex was referring to the bs9000...

Yeah, I thought the BeoCenter had 30x2 at least? Does it have DIN and Powerlink sockets? Can someone give me the run-down on the back panel connections? Anyone have a pic.

Alex must have thought you meant Beosound 9000. I would keep the 4500 (personal taste). It's more modern looking than the BC9000.

Damn David! You've confirmed my worst fears! Yes, it is more modern looking. There's just something about it that's beautiful (both sound and vision). I was tempted by the BeoCenter 9000's "all in one" approach. But I should just stick to what I have probably. Also, my 4500 is mirror finish and I prefer that. The 9000 is the brushed aluminum look.

The Bs9000 has no power link, but has a very good amplifier.

The connection is for passive speakers only.

It is a one way system.

Its Aux plug is not complitely compatible with MasterLink, when used with a Beolink converter. 

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The Bs9500 has both and amplifier and PowerLink.

You can connect passive speakers and active speakers.

It is a 2 way system

You can use a converter and it works nice on ML

And it is available in mirror finish!!!

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The Bc9500 is a better product, as it allows you to connect more modern B&O products in the future, like a BV, the new range of BL and all the current link room product.

p. 

Mybad! Yes if it's BeoCenter 9000 vs. BeoSystem 4500, I'd keep the 4500. Somehow more impressive than the 9000!

prototek:

Damn David! You've confirmed my worst fears! Yes, it is more modern looking. There's just something about it that's beautiful (both sound and vision). I was tempted by the BeoCenter 9000's "all in one" approach. But I should just stick to what I have probably. Also, my 4500 is mirror finish and I prefer that. The 9000 is the brushed aluminum look.

Then instead of 'upgrading' to the 9000, why don't you treat yourself to a Beolink 7000? 

Personally I prefer the looks of BC9000. BS4500 is also nice but too wide to my taste with BC and BG. Brusehed aluminum vs steel is a taste issue. For me both are ok.

Biggest disadvantage for BC9000 is the lack of two way communication and powerlink connectors. Neither of those has caused me problems. With the MCL it is possible to connect even the latest Beolabs if needed. BC9000 has Speakerlink connection to drive active speakers. BC9500 includes both of these but this was not the original issue here.

I would never give up my BC9000, for me it is Bang&Olufsen as its best. Integration and HMI are unbeatable.

They are actually very similar technically but the 4500 is probably going to be a fair bit newer so I would keep that. It has the Powerlink sockets which the 9000 lacks as well. As stated before, a comparison of the 4500 against a 9500 would be much harder! The lasers in 9000s seem to be giving problems more I have heard and although Graham seems to be able to fix them, this is a consideration.

I would stay with the 4500. With seperates you can always change a faulty unit. Also I think the Beogram 4500 visually integrates much better with the rest of the 4500, as the BG9000 does with the BC9000.

Just look to a nice Beocenter 9500 with a Beogram 9500 and you will be ready for the next 10 years .

 

 

Ah, Beobird. Yes, the 9500 is probably one of my favorite units. Now if I could find that for the same price of the 9000... my 4500 would be out the door already.

Peter:

The lasers in 9000s seem to be giving problems more I have heard and although Graham seems to be able to fix them, this is a consideration.

The Lasers on the 9000 have started to give problems and there are no replacements. So if you can't fix it then you're stuck with a unit that can no longer play cd's. 4500 hasn't been giving any laser problems that I know of. They are both beautiful items but I think that 4500 is a better bet especially as you know its in good condition. The 9000 you are wanting to buy is already having problems, so who knows what might go wrong next?

I had the same problem.  The solution was to have BOTH.  I now the proud and very happy owner of a complete Beosystem 4500 AND a Beocenter 9500.  There's always room for both in the house.

And I very much like the look of both.  Not too smitten with B&O's newer systems except the Beosystem 9000.

 

francoisvl:

The Lasers on the 9000 have started to give problems and there are no replacements. So if you can't fix it then you're stuck with a unit that can no longer play cd's. 4500 hasn't been giving any laser problems that I know of. They are both beautiful items but I think that 4500 is a better bet especially as you know its in good condition. The 9000 you are wanting to buy is already having problems, so who knows what might go wrong next?

Actually, I had a new laser in my CD4500! Knowing what I do now, it might have been a component failure rather than the actual laser assembly, but it had a complete assembly fitted!

I love the 9500 though - I should say that I too have a 9500 rather than a 4500 - it takes up less space if table mounted and I think the display is better. Sound quality seems pretty similar though the cassette in the 9500 is better. 

Guys! This got a little out of hand.... Yes, the 9500 is one of the coolest looking B&O system's made. BUT.... I'm talking about the 9000. If it was a 9500 I wouldn't have to ask to make my decision. :)

Well, if you look at it technologically only, the 9000 would be a small downgrade.  It is older internally.  The 4500 is based on the 9500, with newer components and a newer laser assembly.  However, if you have ONLY a beomaster 4500 without the CD, etc...  I'd go for it.

The 9000 is pretty easy to service, and I'd bet the door(s) just need new belts.  Also the CDM-2 laser is easier to get if you need one.

The amplifier is 30watts instead of 40 for the 4500.  I'd take it regardless. 

It's clear cut. Keep your 4500. Buy yourself a treat instead of upgrading. As i said earlier, maybe a BeoLink7000.

P.S. the 9500 is drool worthy and i am EXTREMELY jealous of the guy who won it last month!  

Yeah... I think you guys made it clear to me which one is technically superior. I'm still gonna go check it out though. Who knows? Maybe I'll get it. It comes with Red Lines. Personally, I've never heard anything through them. How are they?

Not bad if mounted properly. I would suggest changing the capacitors in the cross over if they sound dull - works wonders.