I think Peter rates the BeoCord 5000 very highly, and these are cheap as chips secondhand!

Lee 

The Beocord 9000 is still king!

I got 1900, 6000, 8000 and 9000 Beocords at the moment. The play good when working right but the only thing the Beocord 9000 lacks in todays world, sorry a decade or two ago is auto reverse.

It was the King back then and still is no doubts. Read the review on site under produckts.

The Beocord 9000 was the best specified deck made by B&O but is not the one I would recommend. You simply don't need the clever Computer calibration as just after it was introduced, tape formulations were standardised and once a deck is properly set up, it will be fine.

If I was looking for a deck I would go for either the Beocord 5000 (draw type - very cheap and once set up, very good performance), Beocord 8004 (bigger head than the 9000 and apart from the CCC, the same deck), or the Beocord 5500. This has less good performance as it is auto reverse but is very convenient and very cheap! All are Datalink decks so will work with any Datalink system.  They also all have HX-Pro which will allow you to get the best from cheap tapes!

I would avoid the Beocord 5000 70s model as it is likely not to work.

I have the beocord 8002 and must say that it sounds gorgeous. I never thought much about its sound quality when I use to make and listen to recordings on it.

Recently I made some recordings for a friend on the Beocenter 9500's deck and will say the results have been very unsatisfying. Using Dolby, I was able to get better results. I never used NR on the 8002 and have always been pleased.

I keep the 8002 around because it complements the decore of the 8000 system but have mostly gone CDs and LP now.

Hi Peter:

I left everything in auto mode, ie auto levels. To be quite honest I was quite disappointed at how poorly it recorded.

Without NR it was rather hissy and gritty sounding. The 8002 is quieter and cleaner sounding. 

I also prefer recording without NR. The highs always suffers on the 8002 with NR so I prefer recording as is.

If you've got any tips, I'm willing to try the 9500 again.

Derek

Peter:

I would avoid the Beocord 5000 70s model as it is likely not to work.

 Indeed! I have the older Beocord 5000 which I was able to get to work by combining two non-working 5000's. Currently it's playing fine, but recording won't work (I might get back to this later this year). It's very good-looking deck with wooden panels and electronical tape controls but yes, it's a nightmare to repair. But once it works, it's very easy to operate and it sounds great too. One of the most stylish deck's I have seen!

auric:

Hi Peter:

I left everything in auto mode, ie auto levels. To be quite honest I was quite disappointed at how poorly it recorded.

Without NR it was rather hissy and gritty sounding. The 8002 is quieter and cleaner sounding. 

I also prefer recording without NR. The highs always suffers on the 8002 with NR so I prefer recording as is.

If you've got any tips, I'm willing to try the 9500 again.

 

Derek

 

I use TDK SA and use the manual recording setting. Can equal the 5500 in my view. You will record using a higher level so the noise level will be lower.

On the old 5000, I agree - it is wonderful and the only real B&O cassette deck! I have a working one and it it is excellent. However the 8002/4 is better!  

Peter:

This brings one additional point. Where do you even get quality tapes these days?

Are they even being manufactured?

In the professional world, I think there is only one company left, based in Holland that still manufactures magnetic tape.

 Derek

henrik:

I've got two 9000s, a 7000m, the old 5000 and a 6500. The 9000 is definitely my favourite, Imho 6500/7000 only offers poor sound quality - the frequency response is, well, ok, but the deck sounds a bit loose and non-precise. Transients do not sound like transients, bass drums sound more like whoom than boom. The 8000/8002/8004/9000 series is much, much better. I've never heard the 80's 5000, but I'd guess it places itself somewhere between the 8000/9000 and the 55/65/7000.

The 5000 is one way and has a very good head. it actually is capable of being set up so it can match tape very well.

The 5500 etc suffer from the autoreverse mechanism, I agree. Very convenient though. I confess that I use a 9000 for my best recordings though!  

I would walk away unless he is giving it to you. The LEDs are really only replaceable en masse and these decks now sell for next to nothing in good condition.

On the Beomaster 6000, check that both channels are working, check the Tuning display changes as you change the frequencies and that the volume control works properly.  Nice amplifier - very similar to the 4400 in many ways.