I have a new issue with my Beocord 9000. Several weeks ago I noticed a muted growl when the Beocord was functioning. This continued even in the stop mode until the 9000 goes into its “sleep” mode.

 

Having owned several fine British motorcars, I am accustomed to listening for sounds of trouble, and quite frankly, this “didn’t sound expensive….”

 

As such today I was very surprised when the 9000 began playing a double speed. I would have expected a slow play with either a lubrication or motor issue. Changing tapes had no effect.

 

So what do you guys think?

 

Jeff

Piaf:

 

Having owned several fine British motorcars, I am accustomed to listening for sounds of trouble, and quite frankly, this “didn’t sound expensive….”

So what do you guys think?

 

what is you definition of fine?

If it is important to you, a 1937 Hooper bodied Sports Saloon Rolls-Royce 25/30, a 1963 Standard Steel Saloon Silver Coud III, a 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur, and a 1984 Rolls-Royyce MPW Corniche Drophead Coupe.

Nice car collection ! 

The Beocord may suffer from an unstable power supply.
Check for cracked solders at the rear where the cables from the voltage regulators come in from the cooling fin and anywhere else on the regulator and rectifier boards.
Check also for oxidation at the transformer edge connector.

Finally.. capacitors or the motor itself (unique to the Beocord 9000).

Martin

Piaf:

If it is important to you, a 1937 Hooper bodied Sports Saloon Rolls-Royce 25/30, a 1963 Standard Steel Saloon Silver Coud III, a 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur, and a 1984 Rolls-Royyce MPW Corniche Drophead Coupe.

Very fine indeed! I always fancy getting a Silver Cloud  and still may! Love to see a picture of the Hooper bodied 25/30.

I am afraid the manual for the 9000 on site is not that great as it is a supplement.

Peter,

 

In regard to a Silver Cloud, if ever you take the plunge, buy the BEST car you can find as there is nothing in this world more expensive than a “cheap” Rolls-Royce. The first series with its 6 cylinder engine is virtually bullet-proof, but it also comes with the “one-step lubrication system, which squirts oil on all the parts that require lubrication…. Messy! Very messy. The later cars had grease points which was a big improvement.

 

Also avoid the early Silver Cloud II’s as they had engine problems. Most will have been worked out by now, or the car wouldn’t be running, but still.

 

For my money, I’d look for an unusual bespoke Silver Cloud III as opposed to a Standard Steel Saloon. Especially one of the long wheelbase models with all that lovely room in the back.

 

I’d be happy to post a picture of my 25/30, but I don’t know how to do so on this site.

 

In regard to the Beocord 9000, I thank you for your learned advice, but don’t you think this sounds more like a mechanical problem as opposed to an electrical one? I mean everything works flawlessly, press “Go” and the 9000 does everything right.

 

This unit has had a muted growl for weeks prior to this double-play issue. And even with the fast speed, the sound quality is pretty good, if a bit like Alvin and the Chipmunks.

 

Jeff

I'd probably go for the Bentley S3 - but probably not at the moment. I would always get a good one rather than do up a cheap one  - I agree a false economy!

I agree with Martin on this one - probably the power supply.  I doubt it is mechanical - I think a mechanical problem would just cause it not to work!

jeff,

thanks! -wouldn't say it was "important." i was just curious as it seems that most people on here have very similar interests outside of b&o. (cars, camera, computers, etc...) -as we are both in north america and i have always been a big fan of british cars, "fine" or otherwise -i thought this may well be one of those shared interests.

sincerely, 

Peter,

 

The S-3 is a wonderful choice, especially in a LWB, and the later cars, say ’64 or ’65 had nice stops for the windshield wipers…. kept them from smacking the bonnet, from time to time. The 6 ¾ Liter engine is absolutely indestructible as long as there is oil in the sump.

 

As time went on the more common S-1 evolved in to the much rarer S-3, as people favored the Rolls-Royce over the Bentley.

 

You might consider a Continental S as they are superb vehicles! However, I would probably go with the Continental R…. just personal choice.

 

Jeff,

 

Yes indeed, collectors are collectors. My obsession with cars is even worse than my insanity for B&O products, which is bad enough!

 

Jeff

I will probably wait till my retirement as I will then get the time to use it! Not too long! I only managed 150 miles in my GT6 last year! A friend of one of my partners has a blower Bentley but I want something that is comfortable and quiet - neither of which it qualifies as!

Peter,

 

When you do retire, you really might want to take a look at one of the Continental S models. They do not have nearly the panache of the Continental R and are priced accordingly. That said, I find them delightful in looks and driving comfort.

 

You also have the benefit of living in the UK which means there are no shortage of mechanics/shops to keep a vintage Bentley on the road.

 

Jeff

I agree, though the special bodied ones do have a certain fascination! I also rather like the idea of a DB4 - the curve of the boot line under the rear window is one of the most exquisite shapes I can think of in a motor car. We also have the advantage of an Aston Martin restorer in the area - one of the mechanics used to service my cars when I was younger but he has moved up to greater things! I always preferred the DB4 to the rather flashier 5.

Peter,

 

Aston Martin, one of my most favorite cars, although I have never owned one. If I ever manage to win the lottery or some other such improbably fantasy, I would like a 20 car garage with a house attached. So you can see where my priorities lie.

 

At least I have a full Rolls-Royce/Bentley showroom setup ready to go, with the gigantic illuminated transparency display, the nearly a large Bentley Turbo R and the all time favorite the 4’ tall dealer paint chip, leather, carpet, headliner, Everflex roof material 12” samples. All on pull out trays, and the cabinet locked with a genuine RR/B Yale key.

 

OK, back to reality. For once I got it right; it was not an electrical fault on the Beocord 9000. The main drive belt is disintegrating and lumps of it have deposited on the drive wheel. When I opened the unit up the main belt was in the wrong position having moved up one, hence the double seed play.

 

I have asked my source who made the repair of the Beocord 8004 possible if they have a set of belts.

 

The sheer volume of debris would indicate at least one set of previous belts disintegrated and were replaced without having cleaned up the drive area. It is that BAD! At least this is an EASY fix.

 

Jeff

oh dear, i just got back from the "weekend" and the thread headed into one of my favorites -amoc'er here! my favorite 4-wheeler.

regarding rr: i suppose i can name drop a little as both parties are deceased... my wife's uncle was a longtime rroc'er/rr historian and a veritable walking encyclopedia of particularly the hooper cars -highly regarded.

2nd party was my neighbor growing up (2) homes away... if not the single largest private collection, certainly one of the more significant.

all beautiful, though never having gone that way personally. always was a bit more sporting and went the "b" or the aforementioned newport pagnell route.

peter: 4 or 5 to me! the 6 is where i started to have some issue!

enjoy gentlemen!

Hello Martin,

Although I think my belts are in reasonable shape, do you have a belt set for the Beocord 9000?

With all the debris cleared out, this Beocord sounds virtually like a vinyl record playing, which is to say exceptionally good!

The only downside is the "whirring" sound, although considerably diminished, is still there. With the cassette tape stopped and nothing moving there is this "whirring" sound until the Beocord 9000 goes into its "sleep" mode.

Any thoughts about this noise and do you have belts for this unit?

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

That noise will probably be the motor. They will never be completely quiet but shoudn't be too audible either.

Yes, I have belts in stock.

Martin

Hi Martin,

 

I’d like a set of belts just to be on the safe side. Perhaps you could send me a PM with the price and your email address again, so that I can pay via PayPal.

 

The noise is not loud, but it is likely louder than it should be. My Beocord 8004 is absolutely silent. However with ANY volume at all, it cannot be heard.

 

When the Beocord 9000 is stopped is when the noise is clearly evident, if not particularly offensive.

 

I am rather pleased with the 9000 with its overall excellent performance and the exceptional sound quality, which is slightly better than the excellent 8004.

 

Jeff  

My 9000 is completely silent unless I put my ear actually on it when I can hear the capstan motor - just! Less convinced that it sounds better than my old 8004 - now given away - but the go faster stripe meant I had to keep it!!

Hi Peter,

 

No doubt about it I have a noisy motor. It makes a whirring noise, not loud, just present.

 

May I assume that there is nothing to do until the motor fails or gets obnoxiously noisy?

 

Another question would be why the motor continues to run when the tape transport is stopped? Is this a fault, or done for some reason by design?

 

Once in the “sleep” mode and all the LED’s extinguish, the motor stops. However even pressing “STOP” the motor comes on. Is this normal?

 

Jeff

It is the capstan motor - this rotates even when the tape is stopped. Normal! No doubt it is wearing - it probably has had a harder life than mine!