I have an opportunity to purchase either a BM4400 or BM6000, the 80's version (can't afford both or I would).   I have read good things about both, and am looking for insight from anyone who has experience with either or both.  Both are in near-mint condition from a private collection, and would sell for about the same price.   I don't have any B&O speakers for this yet, but which ever receiver I get will be used with my Beogram 4002/MMC20CL, Beocord 5000 (1970's) and a Beocord 9004.  So, design-wise, either will both blend in and/or not at the same time.  I'm more interested in which will be more reliable, easier to repair (if needed down the road) and deliver the best sound - someday through S80's, S120's or MS150's (or______(suggestions?)).  For the time being I'll be using a pair of Definitive Technology BP-8's that sound very nice.  I'm leaning toward the 4400 simply because it matches the age of the 4002 and 5000 tape deck, and would be a nice vintage system.

Your thoughts?

i have both and love both...

if i was on a desert island, the nod would go to the 4400. a classic, timeless, incredible sounding master that everyone should have in their collection...

the 6000 is nice and has remote ability, but they can run hot, and sooner than later, the volume controls need attention...

just my .02 cents...

The 4400 is made of better materials from a a cabinet point of view. Both have their foibles and neither are that easy to fix. The 4400 has the usual red capacitor problem and the switches are prone to becoming noisy but it can all be fixed. I worry about the display on the 6000 and it tends to blow one channel. I have a 4400 so I am biased. But if you are an owner of a Beocord 5000, then you are the sort of man to laugh in the face of complexity!

I vote for the 4400 - from a sound point of view, they are remarkably similar.

Depends on what you want the overall look of the system to be. There's not meant to be anything between them to listen to (I own a 6000), so I suppose it depends whether you want the 70s vibe or a mix and match of the 70s and the futuristic 80s.

Can I put a plug in for a BM 6000 Quad though - you have a Beocord 5000 after all. Just got mine repaired and am really enjoying it (not sure it sounds as good as the 80s 6000 having said that!)

I have 2 Beomaster 6000 80's versions one palisander and one white.

They sound very close to the Beomaster 8000. They drive S80.2 - S120 and M150 Beovox speakers very good. They got Datalink for any 6000-8000 products to be connected. Optinal remote which works just as good as any other Beolink 1000.

Dillen got caps kit for the 6000 when needed. Prices are going up for used ones at least here in Denmark.

If the 6000 is serviced right it will last a long time. My white one was dead. It's been a year since Dillen went through it and everything still works and sounds like it should. They get warm yes but that's the way it performs. As for the volume problems it usally belt slipping and that can be replaced.

If you like the 4400 more then that's the one to pick.

I think they possibly sound better than the 8000 if I am honest. I am afraid the quad 6000 is not really in the same league except in looks. The 3400 sounds better if you want quad and has the stupidest frequency display ever made as an amusing feature.

I think the 8000 runs them all ragged!

My 5000, both 6000s and the 8000 are pretty much in daily use and are all in good condition. The 8000 is the one I'd keep if I had to choose between them all.

Thanks for all the feedback!  

I am going to have the chance to listen to both this weekend, but I have to say I am still leaning toward the 4400.   I have a non-working 4400 that is really beat up and missing some of the slides on the front (too ugly to fix), but I just like the look.  I prefer the look of the BM6000 quad, and hope to have one someday, as my 4002 has the CD4 circuit, but I like it only for the look.   As for the 6000, if it is anywhere near as monstrous as the 8000, I don't think I have room!  I did purchase an 8000 on eBay ("just serviced at the local B&O dealer" - yeah, right....) and the right channel was out.  But that thing was HUGE!  I did return it and was refunded.  He resold it for $9.99.  Should have bought it back and fixed it, but.....    

My favorite I have right now is my 80's BM5000 with the MCP and hand-held remote.  It's playing through RL140's, which I have wall-mounted and they really sound amazing that way.   It's a medium sized room, so the power from the 5000 seems to be adequate for them.  Wall mounting really brings out the sound, better than the floor stands - in my opinion.

I'll have to report back after the weekend on the details!

Thanks the input!

The 6000 is the same width as the Beocord 8004 etc and uses the same wooden surround. It does have a heatsink on the back as well though. The 8000 is as you say very big and very heavy! Good components weigh a lot! It was interesting when the 6000 was released that it came without a remote as standard. By the time you added the optional board and bought the remote, the price differential between this and the 8000 was really very little. So the 8000 could be described as something of a bargain!!