i am just a poor working stiff but back in the early 70's i bought a B&O turntable and receiver with all the bucks i could put together at the time.  i loved it and it was the envy of all my friends.  it died in a lightening storm in the late 70's and i have missed it ever since.

 

a few years ago i was in a mall and walked up on a B&O storefront!!  i was amazed and after being all glassy eyed for an hour or so, i left there with the Beosound 1, portable 'boom box'.  i have enjoyed it thoroughly and am very distressed that during a massive lightening storm on 8/23/07, my stereo, once again, is fried.

 

i called the local b&o store and was given a number for the only authorized service center in the SE US, they said.  i called but there was no answer.

 

can anyone help me?  i feel confident that there is a fuse or some similar bit inside that is designed to save the entire unit in case of surge but i do not see it (yes i opened the unit)

 

i am missing my stereo terribly

Hi h1llhouz and welcome to Beoworld,

                                                        I think you need to persist with your B&O dealer to verify the phone number they gave you. In the UK many dealers farm out work to local (reputable) electronics service specialists who also service other brands. I suspect the same applies in your country. Where exactly are you located as this will help any of our members to give you far better advice than I can currently offer.

I don't own, or ever have owned, a Beosound 1 but I have retrieved other B&O receivers which have suffered voltage spikes and indeed an internal fuse has been the problem. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and hope this is your problem. However I have also had a Beomaster 5000 suffer lightening damage and it was totally fried and not repairable due to chip damage so a a service dep't may be your only option if this is the case.

I am sure someone will be along shortly who can offer you better advice or even a solution.

Chris.

Hi h1iihouz, I too suffered a voltage spike in a Beosystem 5000 when working in Thailand, 20 years ago. (That was a problem! As no-one at that time could service B&O there!) Anyhow, my advice is to install a reputable power filter in the mains line to your equipment, so it doesn't happen again.

Good luck! 

Yes, there is a fuse inside, but that may not be the only problem.

From the fuse, the voltage regulator is next on the electrical " pathway. " The Beosound 1 is manufactured in Europe, and is originally 220v powered. The voltage regulator is set internally with a jumper, at either 110v or 220v at the factory,  depending on the final market destination.

The IC board is next, and this is where it might become expensive. Hopefully in your situation, this will not be the case. Clearly you need an authorized service technician.

As you already have started with your dealer, you might try the following telephone numbers. 847. 590.4944, or  847 590. 4906. These were the Tech Support numbers for North America I have listed in my PDA, as I travel.  They are a few years old, but worth trying.

I hope this misfortune does not occur a third time for you, and would seriously look into a good quality surge protector such as Belkin. Given the cost of your Beosound 1, you may be able to recover with Homeowners Assurance or Insurance coverage.

Good luck !

h1llhouz:

I was pleased to find out that the service guy in the Atlanta area owns his shop in historic downtown Roswell about two miles from my home.  He seems very capable and services alot of high end gear.  Benny is his name.  It's a small shop and I know he was on vacation for a little bit if you were trying to get hold of him.  If that is who they recomended then I'd try again.  If you need his email then PM me.

benny in atlanta is my contact too. great guy. highly recommended.

thank you so much for your response.  I really appreciate the input from folks who actually have some familiarity with B&O.  when i mention it to the people i work with i get the proverbial 'deer in the headlights' look.

 i will pursue the local fellow that several of the other respondents mentioned.  perhaps it is as noted that he was on vacation when i had tried to contact him

 it is a pleasure to communicate with all ya'll!!

Your response is very much appreciated.  i hope to be able to contact a service rep quickly and have the repairs done.

 

i do thank you for your thoughtful and insightful response.

Yes Michael.  Benny is the fellow that was referred to me by the B&O store in Phipps Plaza. 

 I will certainly be trying his number again now that I have your response.

 Thank you so much for your input,

Sherry

And please keep us posted, Sherry. I also have a BeoSound 1.  I always try to unplug my expensive electronics whenever lightning is a remote possibility, as I'm a bit paranoid that they will get surged. But I can't always be at home! 

Let us know if the repair ends up being a nightmare or rather simple!

 

Good luck with it Sherry.  It's funny to see a few southerners represented.  I thought I might be the only one around here.

present y'all!

joynsyde:

And please keep us posted, Sherry. I also have a BeoSound 1.  I always try to unplug my expensive electronics whenever lightning is a remote possibility, as I'm a bit paranoid that they will get surged. But I can't always be at home! 

Let us know if the repair ends up being a nightmare or rather simple!

 

We ALWAYS turn our B&O off at the power outlets whenever we leave the house. It's conserves electricity, and lowers the probability of a surge (even though it is all on surge protectors)

I now have Benny in my headlights and will be going there tomorrow.

 

Yes indeed, I will keep ya'll posted.

 

 

For those of you who may wonder what happened, i am going to pick up my repaired Beosound1 from Benny tomorrow.

 He had to replace all the electrical components in the unit.  the only thing that was undamaged was the laser for the cd player.

550.00 US to repair what was originally a 995.00 unit.

 it will be unplugged unless i am using it from here onward...

i do appreciate everyone's input and commentary

please buy a surge strip too... cheap insurance.