Just got delivery of a mint condition Beogram 4000 – wow, what a beauty. I am amazed at the build and quality of materials. I can't stop looking at the thing – a design classic!

This is phase one of my vintage system (I have a bit of the new gear). Can anyone recommend me an amp and some appropriate speakers?

The only problem I have is lack of space – is it possible to link the Beogram to my Beocenter 2 and Beolab 3s? Has anyone ever done this? This would be ideal.

PS I have thought about the Beolab 5000 (not really going to save me any space though) – is there an approximate cost for the ones from Classic audio?

Mason

mason:

This is phase one of my vintage system (I have a bit of the new gear). Can anyone recommend me an amp and some appropriate speakers?

Period correct... BM4000 or ideally a 4400, S60/75 or M100/100-2

mason:

The only problem I have is lack of space – is it possible to link the Beogram to my Beocenter 2 and Beolab 3s? Has anyone ever done this? This would be ideal.

You can use the "AUX IN" on the BC2 (DIN to RCA lines w/ a RIAA kit) ...talk to Steve @ Sounds Heavenly!

I would suggest a Beomaster 4400 and M100s - the BM4000 is notr as good in my opinion. The Beolab 5000 system is wonderful but is not technically as good - things did advance quite a lot in this period. Frede can probably restore you a 4400 though - he did my 4401. However if you decide to go the 5000 route, you will not be disappointed.

i thought the beolab 5000 is one of the best amplifier made from b&o?!?

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my system-idea was simular:

oldscool-style: beogram 4002 incl. mmc 20 cl retipped by van den hul and a beolab 5000 with good speakers. any ideas?

modern-style: beogram 4002 incl. mmc 20 cl retipped by van den hul / pro-ject phonobox 2 / pro-ject pre box / option pro-ject ipod dock / beolab 4000 mk1.

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which system sounds better?

B&O designed systems to go together - if you have a Beolab 5000, Beovox 5000s and 2500s sound fantastic - as demonstrated by Frede. The beolab 5000 is a great amplifier and was one of the best of its time. Circuit design did improve though and I think the 4400 sounds even better with the right speakers.

i agree with you peter... but a complete and in mint condition beolab 5000 system incl. the beovox 5000 and 2500 speakers is nearly impossible to find... the design is great and historical the first project for b&o from jacob jensen.

i'm sure that the beomaster 4400 match perfectly with the beogram 4002(4) series. but, i don't like the design of the beomaster 4400. yes i know i'm picky, that's a part of my job as a communication designer... sorry about that. ;-)

what do you think about the second opinion: beolab 4000 with pro-ject parts?

regards

dario

A full mint 5000 system is actually easy to obtain - see Frede!  Not cheap but you get a true piece of quality.

I also think it will sound better than Beolab 4000s . I have a couple of pairs of these and like them but use them as TV speakers. I use Beolab 3s with a Beogram 4004, 5500 system and beoport which is not that dissimilar - very happy with it but it does not have the same tactile qualities or looks as my beolab 5000 system. I doubt I will have it as long either.

what will be the costs of a complete mint beolab 5000 system?

you're 5500, 4004 setup sounds intresting. the design of the beolab 3 should more look in my opinion like the beovox 2500. that would be the perfect redesign... ;-)

maybe the beolab 5000 match also perfectly with new piega speakers. what do you think about that, new speakers, old amp?

thanks for your advise

dario

I talked to Frede about mixing different eras of speakers - he reckons, and I agree, that B&O made speakers and amplifiers match each other and to act in a synergistic fashion. Therefore I wouldn't recommend it. The Beolab 5000 system is a classic and works very well as a whole. With different speakers it can sound more lively than a totally flat amplifier should.

Price - it will vary and you need to talk to Frede, but I would budget for about £3000 including speakers. You can of course simply buy the components for much, much less. You will not have an as new system though. Sound quality - read Soundproof's article - it plays music.

i started a research and saw your picture of your beolab/beomaster 5000 and beogram 4000 system. looks great!!! this is exactly what im looking for...

my beogram 4002 joins at the moment my beocenter av5. the sound is quite good... with the beolab 4000 it would even sound better and with a beolab 5000 setup it will play nearly perfectly.

do you have the contact details from frede?

thanks dario

p.s. this forum is very helpful, in my opinion the best bang & olufsen forum.

Frede's site is www.Beolab.dk - thoroughly recommended.

i've decide to join the beoworld forum as a gold-member... usefull advice must be honored. especially the vintage and beogram section is for me very helpful.

regards dario

Your support is much appreciated.

superdario:

i've decide to join the beoworld forum as a gold-member... usefull advice must be honored. especially the vintage and beogram section is for me very helpful.

regards dario

Welcome aboard Dario!

thanks to all. today i'd pick up my beolab 5000. after 1.5 h cleaning, she looks like new... ;-)

my beogram 4002 is made from rosewood and my beolab 5000 is made from teak. is it possible to change the rosewood to teak from my beogram 4002? or backwards?

now i'm looking for the right speakers... it's like a virus, b&o vintage virus... ;-)

regards dario

Hi Dario,

You can change the cabinet on your Beogram 4002 very easy. First you need to get a Teak cabinet of coarse or you can have your rosewood veneer replaced by Teak. This is not a big issue.

Your Beolab - you can also change the cabinet and remember to reolace the 3 wooden parts at the bottum of the Beolab too if you can find the replacement cabinet. You need a 'donor' Beolab.

/ Frede

thanks frede for your advice,

i think the wood cabinet from the beogram 4002 is easier to find and to chance, as a complete cabinet for the beolab 5000... does somebody have a teak frame for the 4002?

regards dario