Hi, has anyone had this problem before:

My Beogram CD 4500 spins and reads CDs fine but the output is just a hiss with slight variations in the hiss level.  There is no music playing.  I know it's reading the CD because when I put in a "dummy" CD, it doesn't read it.  Also, the motor moves when you change tracks etc.  Plus I can see the laser is on (when no CD is in).

Any ideas what it could be?  Any clue would help.  Thanks.

I also have a beogram cd 4500, but I am sorry to say that I cannot help you here. My beogram has a few odd noises but no hissing. I will let you know if I come across anything that might be of service to you.

By the way, would you happen to know how to properly utilize the digital output on the BG CD 4500? Do you know if it has any benefits over the provided DIN/multi-pin connector?

Thanks for the reply.  I haven't tried the optical output but that just gave me an idea.  I'm guessing that it should connect with an optical input on other stereo components.  I'm going to try that output with a different brand receiver and see if that works.  I'm also thinking of getting a DIN to RCA connector and trying this CD player on a different receiver to make sure the CD input on the 5400 receiver is not malfunctioning.  I'll update how this works in a few days.

No problem. In a way this is similar to what I have... A hybrid of components haha. I will soon be purchasing a plethora of RCA adapters myself. I am curious as to how this pans out for you.

So here's an update on the digital output of the CD player.  My mistake, it's an RCA, not an optical.  I connected it to a different receiver with it's own DAC and it works with that.  Then I connected a different CD player to the B&O receiver and that worked fine too.  So the problem must be with either the muting circuit (from what I've read on this forum) or the DAC.  I'm going to subscribe to get some manuals and try to solve this soon.

Glad to hear of your progress. I think i noticed it was an RCA but I need not bother with it as my multi - pin connector is without flaw. Before you go to such lengths with the manuals, check out the official B&O forum. I myself have attained a few manuals from they're community downlads site.

C_K:

So here's an update on the digital output of the CD player.  My mistake, it's an RCA, not an optical.  I connected it to a different receiver with it's own DAC and it works with that.  Then I connected a different CD player to the B&O receiver and that worked fine too.  So the problem must be with either the muting circuit (from what I've read on this forum) or the DAC.  I'm going to subscribe to get some manuals and try to solve this soon.

I seem to recall my CD4500 had an optical out. When I telephoned B&O to find out how I could make use of it via my Beomaster I was told I couldn't as the CD4500 had the socket only, there were no electronics behind it!  

Interesting. At any rate there is an RCA output that I believe says "digital output" above it. I am not near it now so that may be slightly incorrect.

evman140:

Interesting. At any rate there is an RCA output that I believe says "digital output" above it. I am not near it now so that may be slightly incorrect.

Yes you're correct, my memory was playing tricks. It did say digital output above the socket, not optical.

Didn't change the result that it was useless though! A bit disappointing at the time to say the least for what was an expensive piece of kit. 

The only thing that i see as odd is the fact that all my other CD players (Non B&O) of the same era have both left and right RCA signal jacks/outputs. Why doesn't this carry over to the BG CD 4500?