any thoughts on why beocenter 9300 launched after beocenter 9500 assumes a "lower numeric code - beocenter 9300"

at the cusp of deciding between 9300 and 9500 i would be glad if somebody could help me in the purchase decision 

cheers

pattabhi

I own a 9300 from new and I will never part with it. Although they appear very similar, the Beocenter 9300 and 9500 are different.

• The Beocenter 9500 is more or less a Beosystem 4500 in one cabinet, without the Beogram of course. While the 9300 is actually an Ouverture in disguise with an amplifier. I believe the amplifier in the 9500 is better, although I never compared it head to head with a 9300. That said, my 9300 was connected to Beolab 3's for the last year...
• The 9300 has a different CD mechanism, which is supposed to be a bit faster than the previous versions. I can't really tell how much faster it is, I've owned a 9300 since new and it's been a while since I've seen an 9500 and again, I never compared them head to head.
• The 9500 has two communication and a connection for an equalizer, facilities the 9300 lacks.

Only the later examples had the later, so called improved (linear) CD mechanism. Most 9300 appear to have the same CD as the 9500.

I am yet to be convinced that the CD performance or indeed the amplifier is any better in one or the other!

Since 2 way communication does nothing for me, I would probably buy a 9300 from as near to 2001 as possible on grounds of age, reliablity and spares availability

The tape deck in the 9500 is much better specified and the programming on the 9500 can be more complex when used with a two way remote. I think the amplifier is basically the same. In short, the 9500 is better specified but the 9300 is younger. I prefer the mirror finish of the 9500 but would be happy with either. 

For what's wurth, the 9500 has a Digital/Analog converter with 16 bit 4 times oversampling and the 9300 has the bitstream technology.

Peter :

The tape deck in the 9500 is much better specified and the programming on the 9500 can be more complex when used with a two way remote. I think the amplifier is basically the same. In short, the 9500 is better specified but the 9300 is younger. I prefer the mirror finish of the 9500 but would be happy with either. 

Agree about the tape deck, totally forgot about that, as I (almost) never use it. The 9300 has the mirror finish too, at least mine has.

I've had a 9500 for almost 10 years (bought it new) and sold it some years ago.

The reason of selling it was the lack of compatiblity with beoport's netmusic and netradio.

It was, imho, the best designed beocenter, but if you want to upgrade, then you're a bit limited.

Earlier 9300's had polished panels and the later ones had matt panels.

Listened to both, connected to Beovox S45-2. They sound very different, perhaps because of a different amplifier. I only listened through beovoxes, so I can't tell if the difference remains when played on Beolabs. Living in 2010, differences in spec's concerning the cassette section are not important to me.  Great design however, one of the B&o classics, although I think it's a very large beocenter of which not so much is used when connected to beolabs, in that case there's more drama/appearance than actual content. (no need for an amplifier or cassette, only usefull parts are the CD-player and the radio).

a later 9300 would be better I think, it also uses the Beo4 remote, and just like the Ouverture is a classic, in fact the BM9300 and Beosound Ouverture have a lot in common with each other components wise !

What about two-way communication? I'd go for a 9500 if I had the space and budget for one + a Beolink 7000. That's got to be one of the all-time great B&O setups. If you read Tim Jarman's comments on the 9500 vs. the 9300 you'll see that the accountants had as much to do with the spec of the 9300 as anyone else - makes it a bit of a poor man's 9500, which is why the 9500 probably always seems to sell for the most dosh and the quickest. A bit like the BM 5000 being the better amp than the 5500/6500/7000 etc. I guess.....

I think it's what somebody would like. For an old time classic I would go for the 9500 with Beolink 7000 as John mentioned however as a better integration to newer links for sure a 9300 has a better future.

Personally since I want everything linked together I'd go for the 9300 but heart is on the two way communication so much missed these days.

The 9500 works fine with a Beo4 and will link as well as a 9300. I wouldn't really recommend either as a good match for a modern system though. However they do both have timers in which is very useful! 

Beobuddy:

I've had a 9500 for almost 10 years (bought it new) and sold it some years ago.

The reason of selling it was the lack of compatiblity with beoport's netmusic and netradio.

It was, imho, the best designed beocenter, but if you want to upgrade, then you're a bit limited.

I have a 9300 and use the Ridax cable to my Mac and thus can use Net Music from my Beo4 and listen to all my iTunes music, internet radio etc. that way from anywhere in the house. (Cable transmits tape controls to computer, sound goes into Tape2 input; Aux input is from TV- it's nice to have essentially two aux inputs, I don't think the newer centers have this.)

Not sure if the 9500 have the MCL capability like the 9300 does.

It is just the same. 

If you are thinking of buying one then I'd go with those recommending the 9300. It does not have the two-way remote control but its more recent internal components mean you will, hopefully, enjoy it for longer. I think B&O can still provide most of the spares for the 9300 and I'm not sure that's the case for the older models (CD in particular).

hey thanks very much indeed for your valuable feedback/suggestion. i now have enough data points aiding my decision.

this would be first B&o media player that i would own. while i have a bs2, bs3,bs6, mx 4002 (thanks to lifestyle) and the most recently acquired beolab1 none of them besides mx4002 could be hooked to beolab1.

added to the agony my non-B&o media center (Bose 3-2-1 GSX) does not have an line out.

kindly advise if it is a cardinal sin to hook a power packed beolab 1 to a bs2/bs6. needless to mention i run into a risk of spoiling my drivers.

cheers

pattabhi

joeyboygolf:

Earlier 9300's had polished panels and the later ones had matt panels.

Are the later 9300 matt panels exactly the same as the 9000 brushed panels or is it a different finish? Thanks, js

Different finish.

9000 had brushed aluminium the 9300 has matt.

Is there a way to fit 9000 brushed aluminium panels to a 9500? Is there a genius to do that here?

I am so nostalgic of my first 9000 but I don't want to miss the 9500's bidirectional IR and PowerLink connections...

Thanks and regards, js

js:

Is there a way to fit 9000 brushed aluminium panels to a 9500? Is there a genius to do that here?

I am so nostalgic of my first 9000 but I don't want to miss the 9500's bidirectional IR and PowerLink connections...

Thanks and regards, js

I would say that this is perfectly possible and relatively easy. The job will require some thin, sticky double sided tape or glue and a bit of patience.

I have just removed the required plastic moulding from the underside of a scrap 9500 CD door and this could be very easy to fit to the underside of a 9000 CD door, in the correct location.

I have never liked the panels on the 8500 and I do have one such animal in my day room, I have a set of 9000 panels.............

Hi Graham, you've got a PM.

Kind regards, js

The French forum has several remarks about beocenter 9500 CD part broken and irrepleaceable.

I want to use passive speakers (beovox) with it. Did anybody notice a significant difference between the two models?

Be seing you

François