Can anyone help me learn more about the Beosound 4000.

 I have an opportunity to pick one up from a family member for a good price, I think but I know little about the unit and can find very little on line including at this site.  I also checked on Beocentral and the official Bang & Olufsen Website.  I would like to know how long it was in production, what features it had over the 2500 or overture and lastly what reliability factor it had.  Any suggestions would be welcome.  Thanks Pete

The first thing you need to know is that the 4000 is the same thing as an Ouverture.  It's called Ouverture in Europe and 4000 in the rest of the world.  It's the successor to the 2500 and offers Masterlink connectivity plus an improved CD mechanism.  It lacks 2-way remote capability, which the 2500 had, but only certain remote controls such as Beolink 5000 will enable this.  It's considered reliable.  Test all functions - could be the tape deck needs a new belt.  You can read up on it on this site here.

Thanks Bob, that explains a lot.

 As for the improved CD mechanism you refer to, am I correct that it was the mechanism with the vertical tracking lens versus the arc tracking lens of the 2500?

 An if so, do you know if they made any 2500's with the new vertical tracking lens?

 Pete

 

Yes.  But I have seen 2500's with the vertical tracking lens.  Possibly repaired units(?)

The transition from 'curved' to 'straight' mechanisms in the 2500/2300 was a running change made during the normal course of production.  The issue is that a 2500 would have to be at least 13 years old at this point; if you're looking for that design and need a tape player, you really ought to go with a 4000/Overture.

Russ