Forgive me if I ramble but I’ve just had a good dinner!

I’ve been a member for less than a year, and have wandered regularly around the forums (fora?) looking at bits and pieces, and thrown in a few questions (to which I have received some really helpful advice).

 I have just read Lee’s thoughts on how he arrived at where he is now, and some of the responses to it, of which Nick’s comments about being at a crossroads in his life set me reflecting on B&O and life.

I have had a 40 year relationship with B&O, and like all relationships it has had its ups and downs.  I have been unfaithful (regularly), and for a while deserted B&O completely.  And yet I have always returned and for the last 17 years or so, I haven’t strayed at all. 

Discovering Beoworld (and yes, it really does seem to be a group of people that makes a nonsense of the social and demographic  stereotyping beloved of the marketing and advertising industries) and reading the Jarman brothers’ book has made me realise there are literally thousands of people who share my interest in a brand that is often criticised as either rubbish (by the sellers of Hi-Fi magazines) or as flashy, expensive and appealing only to Premier League footballers. 

Yes we all know there are better sounding things out there for the money, but could you live with them - probably not.  William Morris said something like ‘...have nothing in your home that is not  beautiful or useful’.  Well B&O is usually both!

My Beosystem 2500 is 18 years old and yet looks as good and works as well as it did when I bought it, and the Lewis design has a certain timelessness about it, although probably not quite in Jensen’s league. 

I keep thinking about adding something newer - maybe some BL 4000s, BL 8000s or BL 3s to add to the BL 2500s and maybe a BC 9500 and a CDX to give me some examples of Jensen's work.  But the maintenance of domestic harmony rules out  ‘collecting’, at least for the moment.  By the way, any tips on strategies for convincing my lady of the benefits of having a 2500, a BC9500 and a CDX gratefully received.

I have even toyed with the idea of Meridian, which I think is the only other manufacturer with a real design pedigree (anybody else remember the Lecson Pre/Power Amp and the horn loaded speakers or seen the new Soolos?). 

But I have a real emotional attachment to my B&O.  Like all well designed things, my 2500 makes me smile every time I use it. B&O remotes, especially my BL 1000 are ergonomically brilliant, my A8s and Earset 3 complement Apple’s products beautifully and my LX 5500 is still a magnificent television in every way after nearly 20 years, even if the number of worthwhile programmes hasn’t increased with the number of channels!  I even enjoy my Beosystem 10, or at least the FM radio.

In this world where the word ‘designer’ has become a term of derision, some of B&Os products really are design classics in the truest sense of the word.  They are timeless and give pleasure in their use. And there is this whole community out there who feel something similar every time they use a piece of B&O! 

For putting me in touch with that community and all their expertise and enthusiasm, their altruistic interest in others and their sense of involvement,  thank you Lee, Dr Peter, Andy in Clitheroe, Graham, Chris  and everyone else.

Cleve

You definitely sound like one of us

Enjoy your time here at Beoworld

Puncher:

You definitely sound like one of us

Enjoy your time here at Beoworld

Hear hear!

What a smashing post Cleve!
I think that once you get B&O in your blood, there's not much you can do about it.
I glad that, whatever it is that we do, makes BeoWorld a good place for you to visit.

Andy T.

welcome to the club!

Cleve,

You're definitely one of the gang.  I enjoyed your insights (I definitely need to get the Jarman brothers' book) and your thoughts on B&O.  It's reassuring that B&O keeps "pulling you back in" (to quote Al Pacino in "The Godfather III") after all these years.  I'm sitting here perusing music on my AppleTV via BL3s and enjoying the Beo 4 as if it were a brand new toy (even though it's design is at least a decade old).

One of the Beoworld representatives in your area will be over later to teach you the secret B&O handshake.

Mark

BeoNut1:

One of the Beoworld representatives in your area will be over later to teach you the secret B&O handshake.

Mark

Is that the one where you silently pass your credit card?

Cleviebaby:

I have had a 40 year relationship with B&O, and like all relationships it has had its ups and downs.  I have been unfaithful (regularly), and for a while deserted B&O completely.  And yet I have always returned and for the last 17 years or so, I haven’t strayed at all. 

Discovering Beoworld (and yes, it really does seem to be a group of people that makes a nonsense of the social and demographic  stereotyping beloved of the marketing and advertising industries) and reading the Jarman brothers’ book has made me realise there are literally thousands of people who share my interest in a brand that is often criticised as either rubbish (by the sellers of Hi-Fi magazines) or as flashy, expensive and appealing only to Premier League footballers.

Been there, done that... wait, as a matter of fact I'm in the middle of "returning phase" myself. This site has a lot to do with it, ehtusiasm is contageous and whereas I was just looking for some info on restoring/improving my Pentas in January, the situation has slipped out of hand since. Yesterday I received yet another pair of (well worn) CX100:s, brushed aluminum ones this time, and I had to buy them to experiment with polishing them to a mirror finish - inspired by pictures here, in another thread. Not by far the only Beoworld-inspired purchase or project during last few months, more or less catching up with what I feel I've missed since I abandoned B&O in 90's.

I'm not sure I stay brand-loyal faithful, so to speak, but a newfound appreciation to the brand has been very refreshing. However, with AV systems I use on daily basis - background music, TV, occasional movie rentals etc. - I have a strong bias towards B&O from now on. Equipment you only use occasionally (high-end listening room, dedicated home theater) don't matter that much, tinkering with an all-manual turntable the size of a pizza oven is fun sometimes, but as far as my daily dose of quality sound and picture are concerned, I love effortlessness and the aesthetical qualities of the brand.

I think you'll fit right in, all of us seem to have the same symptoms, some more, some less, and no-one around here is immune.

Henri:

Cleviebaby:

I have had a 40 year relationship with B&O, and like all relationships it has had its ups and downs.  I have been unfaithful (regularly), and for a while deserted B&O completely.  And yet I have always returned and for the last 17 years or so, I haven’t strayed at all. 

Discovering Beoworld (and yes, it really does seem to be a group of people that makes a nonsense of the social and demographic  stereotyping beloved of the marketing and advertising industries) and reading the Jarman brothers’ book has made me realise there are literally thousands of people who share my interest in a brand that is often criticised as either rubbish (by the sellers of Hi-Fi magazines) or as flashy, expensive and appealing only to Premier League footballers.

Been there, done that... wait, as a matter of fact I'm in the middle of "returning phase" myself. This site has a lot to do with it, ehtusiasm is contageous and whereas I was just looking for some info on restoring/improving my Pentas in January, the situation has slipped out of hand since. Yesterday I received yet another pair of (well worn) CX100:s, brushed aluminum ones this time, and I had to buy them to experiment with polishing them to a mirror finish - inspired by pictures here, in another thread. Not by far the only Beoworld-inspired purchase or project during last few months, more or less catching up with what I feel I've missed since I abandoned B&O in 90's.

I'm not sure I stay brand-loyal faithful, so to speak, but a newfound appreciation to the brand has been very refreshing. However, with AV systems I use on daily basis - background music, TV, occasional movie rentals etc. - I have a strong bias towards B&O from now on. Equipment you only use occasionally (high-end listening room, dedicated home theater) don't matter that much, tinkering with an all-manual turntable the size of a pizza oven is fun sometimes, but as far as my daily dose of quality sound and picture are concerned, I love effortlessness and the aesthetical qualities of the brand.

I think you'll fit right in, all of us seem to have the same symptoms, some more, some less, and no-one around here is immune.

Great post Henri . pretty much says it all for me too.... couldn't agree more.

Ps : post some pics of your new cx100's when you're done ... I absolutely love mine and hope they'll work out for you as well.  
And yes ....now looking for some penta's ready for a makeover as my next project   

I'm in  full agreement - about Henri's post, and also about wanting to see pics of repolished CX's

Thanks to you all for the comments, and I think I have just taken the final step on the road to complete addiction. 

I've ventured into the world of vintage kit and bought the late 70's /early 80s BC 4000, the BM2200 based cassette receiver, for 30 quid on eBay!  Haven't told the lady of the house yet, so not sure I'll be alive to continue this.

Rash move, this.  The Jarman brothers' book, whilst acknowledging how good this beast is, points out that it is truly complex piece to work on.  This would be fine for a competent practical soul, but I struggle with putting a plug together with any certainty. 

No doubt I shall be returning to the forum looking for help after the beast arrives.  

Anyone got a nice pair of teak S45.2s on stands to go with it?   

Cleve

Very interesting machine! I bought one on eBay for a similar pice many years ago! Lovely amplifier and very cleverly constructed. The cassette mechanism, despite what Tim says, is not one I would trust with my best tapes! I gave this one to Tim so it probably the one in the book!! One of the major problems is that cosmetic parts like the lids can be broken. Best of luck with it!

Cleviebaby:

Anyone got a nice pair of teak S45.2s on stands to go with it?   

 

You have a PM.

Craig