Friends of our have recently moved down to Cornwall and ditched a load of "stuff" on us that they didn't want to take. This stuff includes a B and O system that I think dates back to the early 80's.

We have a Beogram 1500 T5714, a Beomaster 2200 and two speakers.

 It is all still in its boxes with the original packing and a sticker that indicates it was bought from Harrods. We are told that it has been in store for the last 20+ years.

 On getting it out, everything seems to work but there is no stylus in the turn table. My local stockist says I have to get these from the USA and they are very expensive.

 So, I have joined this forum purely to pick your brains.

 Where would you guys get a stylus?

Is this old piece of kit worth keeping? Is there a market for this sort of retro stuff?

 Any comments would be very much welcomed as this is a new world to me.

 Cheers

 Peter

Worth keeping? Well that depends on whether you plan to use it or not. Most B&O systems sound reasonable even when compared to modern stuff but the lack of a CD player means that you will have to add a suitable stand alone device to get full use out of it nowadays.

It's not worth much on the open market and the cost of a stylus is likely to be in the region of £100 +. Check out www.sound-smith.com who are the only manufacturers of suitable stylii/cartridges and are based in the USA.

The Beomaster 2200 was a particularly fine receiver and will outperform most modern equipment - lots of power and smooth sounding. I agree with Graham that it is not worth a great deal second hand but for a vinyl fan, it is well worth keeping.

Just as a matter of interest, does the Beomaster still have the user manual with it? This is one we are missing on site!  

Welcome to Beoworld! 

B&O no longer make cartrdges. Brand new cartridges for B&O systems can only be bought from a company called Soundsmith in the USA that makes them by hand, hence they are over £100 each.

 If you are planning to keep and use the kit it is a sensible investment.You can buy second hand cartridges on eBay but the risk of getting a dud is quite high.  If you are looking to sell thenn you won't get your money back so sell without the cartridge.

There is a market for B&O kit this age but not a huge one. It seems to operate almost exclusively via eBay so do some searches and you will see what you might get. 

Off the top of my head  I would say you are looking ar £30-50 for the amplifier and £20-30 for the turntable. I could make a guess at the price for the speakers if you let me know the model number from the back.

Given the relatively meagre financial rewards for selling and the fact that there are some really nice B&O products from that era I always recommend people to keep their systems and enjoy them. Add an inexpensive CD player and you have a really nice system!

Where are you based? 

Simon 

I'd keep it but then again I'm also biased towards the retro stuff

If you are a vinyl fan then it is worth more in terms of listening pleasure than the likely resale price IMO. I agree with previous comments re:- soundsmith cartridges.

Chris.

I agree with Peter regarding the Beomaster - it sounds sublime (I have 2!)

Cheers

Nigel

Thank you to all of you that have posted replies.

I like the look of the kit so I think I will keep it, better get in the loft and see if my records are beyond redemption or not.

 In answer to your specific questions, no there is no manual in the boxes we have, and we live near Milton Keynes.

 Kind regards

 Peter

I have a good MMC20S cartridge that you can have for the cost of a couple of drinks if you're interested. I believe that this was the cartridge originally supplied with the Beogram 1500.

Cheers,

Ben.

ben12345:

I have a good MMC20S cartridge that you can have for the cost of a couple of drinks if you're interested. I believe that this was the cartridge originally supplied with the Beogram 1500.

 

Cheers,

Ben.

Yes, the MMC20S was the original cartridge for the Beogram 1500. Nice turntable I used to have one. Also had a Beocenter 4600 which used the internals.

Craig

ben12345:

I have a good MMC20S cartridge that you can have for the cost of a couple of drinks if you're interested. I believe that this was the cartridge originally supplied with the Beogram 1500.

 

Cheers,

Ben.

Now that's an offer you can't refuse.

Hi Ben,

 how do we get in touch please?

Peter

peter.hurley@aspleyifa.co.uk

Hi Peter,

Please check your junk mail/spam folder..... I replied to your email last night.

Thanks,

Ben.