I have an opportunity to buy either a Beomaster 5000 or Beomaster 6000, I need forum's help in making my decision. Which one is better sounding?

Do they offer preamp output as well?

I will be using these mainly for CD and Vinyl playback if there is room for connecting a DVD player I will do that as well.

Beomaster 5000 was re-built whatever that means.

They are both about $200.00 each. Which one would you take and why?

Hoping to hear from a few people as I have to buy one of these tommorow.

Cheers   

I'd go with the 6000.  The 5000 was really meant to be used in conjunction with a Beosystem 5000, which includes matching CD player, tape deck, and turntable.   The controls on it are limited, as it was meant to be used with the Master Control Panel 5000 remote control.  For example, the only way to adjust bass, treble, and balance is via the remote.  If looks are important to you the 6000 wins hands up.  It's also a bit more powerful than the 5000 (75 vs. 55 watts/channel).   The 5000 offers preamp out.  Not sure about the 6000.   Good luck.

6000 can also integrate into the modern link environment

the 5000 is an island 

I would get the 5000 - more connections and newer. The 6000 has a nasty tendency to overheat and blow one channel. It is also quite large. However you do need the MCP5000 if you get the 5000.

Both units use their own remotes but the 5000 is far more common. For $200, I would expect the remote to be included and the unit to be in very good condition.

Far be it for to disagree with Peter who has forgotten more than I will ever know about B&O products but if both units are in good condition and full working order, then I would go for the 6000. The 6000 is a far better looking bit of equipment (imo) and is a really great sounding amp. The 6000's are known for having the odd issue but a good one really is good. See if you can listen to them both to make your mind up.

If the 6000 has any problems with its display panel or gets too hot then leave it alone. If its volume control is a bit hit or miss then this is normally a slipping belt and can be quite easily fixed (you will here the motor running but no change in volume).

I am a bit bias but then I do love my BM6000!

Peter :

I would get the 5000 - <snip> newer

sorry I was confused, seems are we talking about these two systems:

http://www.beocentral.com/products/bm5000-2

http://www.beocentral.com/products/bm6000-2

I thought he meant the 6500 ...

http://www.beocentral.com/products/bm6500

I withdraw my comment !

I agree with Beaker - I sold both recently when I moved somewhere smaller.

6000 is one of the sweetest B&O amps ever, and looks the business with the big red LEDs. If you're just wanting a stand alone amp that looks good, go for this one over the 5000 - which looks plain when not stacked as part of a Beosystem 5000.

Of course, if you're thinking about a 6000, have you consider an 8000? It's the top of the pile, the cream of the crop, the best of the best, etc...!

My parents had the beomaster 6000 when it came out and I still have a beomaster 5000

Personally, I find the beomaster 6000 is the better amp of the two, no doubt about it... but only by a small margin. Also important is to use the right speakers ( especially with B&O gear) to use with it.
However, in daily use I very much prefer the beomaster 5000 with the mcp5000 (I also have the smaller terminal). After over 12 years of daily use at home it now is being used to put some music in our office and all over the showroom and warehouse powering several speakers in a link system.

The 6000 is difficult (and often costly) to have repaired if anything major goes wrong with it .... and it will.... also why my parents gave up on it.
The 5000 is smaller and still a decent amp with lots of connections and great as a stand alone unit. Last year it had its first repair in over 15 years which was under 60$. Indistructable .... and the best value for money you'll get from B&O imo..

Just my two cents...

Well, all good points by everybody. Tough call.

If you will indeed be playing CD's and vinyl, I think I would lean towards the 5000, an excellent amp/receiver! They are readily available, often as complete sets w/ MCP's or terminals. The CD50 is a very good CD player, and the radial BG5000 is a very good table.

The 6000 could use a CDX or CDX-2 and BG600x-BG800x, all are excellent, but not as easy to find, often require repairs, and not as cheap.

Also, if space is limited, the 5k system can be stacked, whereas the 6k is spreadout and can consume some real estate!

My guess is that for the price of a 6000, CDX, BG600x and getting them all going, you'd be better off buying a 5000 set and putting the saved money towards some nice RL speakers to match!

P.S. I would find out just what has been done to that 5000!

I think he already has his own CD player and turntable.

mediabobny:

I think he already has his own CD player and turntable.

...then he needs the 6000. No more costly to fix than a 5000 if you know the right people, though I accept that the 6000 is more likely to go wrong in the first place!

If you want a complex, unreliable and expensive to fix B&O amp, you should try a 6000 Quad!

j0hnbarker:

mediabobny:

I think he already has his own CD player and turntable.

...then he needs the 6000. No more costly to fix than a 5000 if you know the right people, though I accept that the 6000 is more likely to go wrong in the first place!

Well, if that is the case, then I agree with the 6000 as well!

Or... as j0hn already mentioned... perhaps skip these available 5k or 6k and find a nice BM8000!

I went from '80s Beomaster 2000 to Beomaster 6000 and Beomaster 8000.

I still have 2 Beomaster 6000 for a few reasons.

I can only compare to a Beomaster 6500 which is a bit more user friendly with remote, speakers and linking options.

The Beomaster 6000 has the greater design than the 5000. The mat grey look does not look that good IMO. Sound is very close to the Beomaster 8000 even old HIFI tests says its a bit better.

The cons of a Beomaster 6000:

Main connections on the back which are annoying unless you don't move the master around much.

Volume control can slip, Display say 74.8 constantly. Getting warm.

The 2035 Terminal were optional so tjeck if the remote print board installed first! Unclip the plastic under the Beomaster.

No data link for tape 2 so if a CD player is connected you got no remote option to control it.

No stacking options. If you have the full system with Beogram and Beocord it takes space in lenght. You can get B&O stands though.

Linking options are aviable but its the old MCL30 system which were among the first ones so limited use compared to the later MCL X-tra speaker kit and then ML to wireless.

The Beomaster 5000 is limited. It does not work with a Beolink 1000 and the only thing that's different is remote option for a B&O cdplayer.

Linking is the same or close to as the Beomaster 6000 but you have to find them second hand and they are limited these days. You can get the IR code converter kit for either Beomaster which gives Beolink 1000 codes but those kits are very rare to locate.

You don't get powerlinks with the 5000 and I prefer the 6500/7000 as they have all options which still can be used today like the linking, Beolabs etc.

Most of the Beomaster 6000 has run for 25 years or more but once serviced they are very stable and reliable.

I got the 8000 and one of the main reasons for the 6000 is it sounds just as good so why let it go.

If you would like to link at some point find a 6500/7000 instead.

The Beomaster 8000? One thing is the size. Its wider than a Beomaster 6000 so a pain to find a suitable stand if you got the full system.