I am looking at putting an amp/tuner and speakers in the dining room and wondered what you guys would get with roughly £100. Dont go telling me all the bargains you have had, I am looking for things that I could expect to buy for around that price. One example is an 80's BM6000 with one of uniphase range, but as I have a BM6000 already and dont really need that much power, I would prefer something else. I dont really want one of the 80's "Japanese" systems and although the BC7000 series are terrific, I actually just want a tuner/amp.

So what would you buy to make a good sounding, cheap little set up. 

BM5000 or BM5500 if you can stretch to it. Either S45's or RL's. BM5000 is operatable from the front panel (although you can't adjust bass/treble without the MCP) but doesn't work with current remotes and is the better amplifier, BM5500 will work will current remotes but I'm not sure you can operate it front the Beomaster itself. BM5500 has MCL, BM5000 does not.

How about a 70s Beomaster 4000 or 4400 with some Ssomethingorother series speakers? 

£100 is plenty to get a serviceable vintage system.

If you just want a tuner/amp and speakers you have plenty of choice. A Beomaster 1900 (or similar)  and a set of S45-2's would come well within that budget as would amost any Beomaster from the late 70's/1980's. I also have a Beolab 1700 Amplifier and Beomaster 1700 tuner which cost about £10 each plus postage in my study and they sound pretty good to me. The amount I paid is the going rate!

I also have a soft spot for my Beovox S30's (The ones with the resin back). My father has used his daily for the last 32 years and never felt the need to upgrade. They sound especially good with classical music and are a more discreet size than many of the Uniphase speakers.

Simon

The 5000 or 5500 option I dont really like as I think that as a stand alone unit the BM5000-5500 are pretty plain looking. I was thinking more in the way of 70's early 80's. How hard are these to get hold off http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=331 and are they expensive.

Speakers will deffinatley be uniphase or earlier and foam rot I can deal.

The 1700 series, hmm i hadnt thought of those.

If remote control is not important without doubt I would go for a BM2200.

They go for pennies on ebay, because of their construction are cheap to fix, and they sound sublime. Peter I know likes them.

Cheers

Nigel

beaker:

The 5000 or 5500 option I dont really like as I think that as a stand alone unit the BM5000-5500 are pretty plain looking. I was thinking more in the way of 70's early 80's. How hard are these to get hold off http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=331 and are they expensive.

I got two of those for 39 euros last year - both needed work of course, and the other one was rather just for parts (keys missing, and some other cosmetic problems). I can heartily recommend this model though, it has a very good DC coupled amplifier and the looks are great.

I would expect you to get a working wood coloured one for well under £100, but it may take some time as these are not very common. The white ones will be much more expensive. Check the physical dimensions, though!

dining room...

not having any idea what it looks like, i assume it doesn't get a lot of use except for special events... elegant?

hmmm... bm2400 w/ a pair of wall mounted p30's or p45's...

P-series panel speakers would be my choice, providing that they fit in the budget. I have a pair of P30:s at the beach sauna at my summer cottage and while they're not exactly high-fi, they're unobtrusive and perfect for background music. A Beomaster from the same era would IMO be a nice match, depending on whether you need remote control or not.

BM2000 is a great amplifier - also think about the 2200 which is another one which goes for nothing and is one of the best - same electronic design as a 4400 just not as powerful. That and some S45s or P45s would make a great set. Just given away some P45s and a BM3000 for nothing!

Not so keen on the 1700 - either sort! The early one - why not just get a 901 - better looking and more plentiful and the later 1700 has cheap plastics inside which mean that the controls break.

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320347274945&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

Simon

wirralsimon:

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320347274945&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

Simon

One of your neighbours Simon? Droool - I'd love a Beogram 1200 for the collection.....

I'd love one too! But I'd probably not use it much as I's just use the turntable on my Beosystem 5000 so it would be a waste.

If the turntable is in good nick and working order it's probably worth the £99 on it's own.

Simon

I have a very nice 1900-2 on ebay at the moment which I'm not expecting to go for a lot of money. 

Cheers

Nigel