Hi all

My Dad's old JVC system has finally packed up and I thought I'd get him something less embarrassing He used to have B&O in the 70's so now is the opportunity to re-establish the friendship.

His needs are:

• Radio

• CD

• Cassette Player (not used too much but needed)

• An aux to connect the old JVC turntable to (hardly used but he'd like to have the option)

It's to run on passive speakers initially but eventually some Penta Lab 3's that I have at home and will get to him when I can.

I have suggested either a Beocenter 9500 or a Beocenter 2500. Now, I know all about the 9500 but have never had anything to do with the 2500.

Can the 2500 be used with passive speakers?

I'm in the UK and my father is in SW France so whatever I get him will have to be posted over. Which model do you guys think would be the best to send him or are there any other model suggestions.

Many thanks,

Steve

Steve

2500 = no passive speakers, hence the small size. I suppose you could get one of the MCLP2 amp thingies, but not worth it IMO. Would definitely go for the 9500, though you'll have to get a pre-amp I suspect as if I remember correctly there's not one on board as it was built into the 9500 turntable (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

The 9500 has a RIAA built in. The later 9300 does not and is to all intents a 2500 in a box with an MCL2P amplifier! I would get the 9500.

j0hnbarker:

Steve

2500 = no passive speakers, hence the small size. I suppose you could get one of the MCLP2 amp thingies, but not worth it IMO. Would definitely go for the 9500, though you'll have to get a pre-amp I suspect as if I remember correctly there's not one on board as it was built into the 9500 turntable (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Wrong!

The BC9500 has PHONO input with RIAA built in. There is no RIAA in the 9500 turntable.

Your main problem will be carriage. The 9500 type do not travel well, particularly the glass keyboard and display.

2500 or Ouverture have better chance of survival in transit, MCL2P are cheap if you keep your wits about you on eBay which will allow use of passive speakers. This would be my choice from a purely practical point of view.

I stand corrected Graham

Doesn't that make the 9500 a more attractive option then? The 2500 is a bit of a non-entity in comparison. Steve's dad could hook up some passive speakers to the 9500 in the meantime, and be able to use his existing JVC turntable, whilst still having the ability in future to connect the Penta 3s Steve has for him in the UK. Travelling probs aside, I'd be more tempted by the 9500 than the 2500 + MCLP2 combo.

given your requirements and enough space I would take the Beocenter 9500.

It has everything and the weak point of later Beocenters or Beosound systems is the missing amplifier for your passive speakers. You would need an additional beolink passive which just adds another unit to your shelf. 

If the speakers are not important I´d go for a Ouverture - quite cheap already and already with ML connection for future enhancements. Regarding the turntable it depends if yours has a built in pre-amp - then you can easily connect it to AUX. Otherwise you need a small pre-amp in between.

Thanks all.

My concerns about posting a 9500 did concern me which probably is the main reason why the 2500 was brought into the equation. My heart's with the 9500 but head with the 2500. Any opinions about reliability of the two?

Ok, given the advice above I'm going for the 9500. It's a bit more 'plug & play' than the 2500 would be and meets his needs.

I'll pack it as best I can - probably triple box it or something which will make it huge. I don't want this to happen

Appreciated,

Steve

Let's hope it arrives OK!

In the event that it arrives with the glass smashed or the sliding doors off track and the drive strings tangled up, what will your recommendation be then?

Yes, you're right. Travelling problems aside, I too would go for the BC9500, my favourite Beocenter.

However, in the event that one of mine develops a fault that I can't fix, I can take it down to TJ who can fix them blindfold. Not so easy from the South of France and the local dealer will undoubtedly insist that they are obsolete and unable to be repaired!

The Ouverture, on the other hand, can travel in the B&O box and packaging (available from dealers for about a tenner) and is still on the "serviceable" list, as far as B&O are concerned as is the Beolink Passive or MCL2P. They are ultra reliable anyway but should it need service then it is less of a problem.

I recently purchased a 9500 off ebay and the seller had it packaged very nicely.  He wrapped the unit especially the panels in TIGHT thin bubble wrap many times.  Then he double boxed the unit.  Arrived in spectacular condition. 

the Ouverture sounds really good with the Penta 3's though  :-)

the Ouverture on a stand, and a Penta 3 either side looks superb IMHO

classic B&O -   but then I would say that would't  I  

the Ouverture has ML as well -  and they are only around £300 to £400 now, so have come down a lot price wise in the last 24 months

How are you getting the Penta 3's to him ???

It would be really nice to setup the Ouverture and the Penta 3's for your Dad at the same time, be there with him for those first few CD's and Cassettes that he listens to !

You could of course purchace the 9500 from any of our familiar companies ending in -AV, and let them worry about packaging, delivery, and what to do with the pieces afterwards if need be

Seriously, if the Pentas are going to be taken over at some time - you're not going to post them, are you? - I'd consider doing that together with a 2500 (or similar). No need for the MCL2P then, and some dough saved to compensate for the delivery trip.

tournedos:

You could of course purchace the 9500 from any of our familiar companies ending in -AV, and let them worry about packaging, delivery, and what to do with the pieces afterwards if need be

Not a bad idea at all!

Seriously though - the 2500 will soon make it onto the 'non-serviceable' list in the short-term, just like the 9500 has/will do. With this in mind, I'd go for the absolute classic Beocenter 9500 design. Much more iconic than the 2500 IMO :)

He's 78 years old. I don't want to give him the system & Pentas at the same time for fear that it might be too much....my mother would kill me

I will eventually take the Penta's down by car but probably not until late summer this year. We normally go by air. Right now he's all excited when I mentioned it, bless him, so want to get the system over sooner. Boys & our toys - not affected by age apparently! He'll still be reading the manual by the time I get over there with the Pentas.

I am concerned about reliability but what the hell.....he'll have to become a Beoworlder. Or Tim could be offered a free holiday

Enjoy the 9500 an Iconic bit of B&O.....I think the look never ages and be nice if something like that was made again!

Loved the touch controls,Which still does not look out of place today!

The BC9500 was my first Beo twenty years ago. I still have it. It works like at the first day. No repairs necessary. Today it is places on a sideboard in the home office of my wife. She added Beolab 5000 in blue and it looks and sounds beautiful. There is also a Beolink 7000 located on the wall charger/LCS7000. Everything with 2 way communication - my favourite standalone system.....

Stefan

hi steve,

i would go for the beocenter 9500 with a beolink 7000 incl. floorstand. with these setup you can use the 2-way remote system of the beocenter. if you don't need the 2-way-gimmick i would recommend the beocenter 9000. the alu-parts are also not so "bling-bling"... ;-)

anyway, both of them are iconic and one of the last true jacob jensen design masterpieces. 

best wishes

dario

9500! A masterpiece (the whole series).

burantek:

9500! A masterpiece (the whole series).

True!

the 9500 wins everytime for me personally, its always worth simply unscrewing the 2 glass panels (1 screw under each ) and packing them separately for transit and tight bubble around the unit to give the brushed/mirrored panels some extra support inside the box

I've got a Beosystem 2500 and a BC 9500 and I like them both.  I bought the 2500 new nearly 20 years ago and it hasn't missed a beat.  It's a very early model with a good Phillips chip (TDA 1541) running the CD player.  The 9500 is beautiful and gives the option of running both active and passive speakers. 

I use both with a Beolink 5000 remote which gives two-way access to both systems which is really useful and may be somthing your grandfather may need.

The thing that would sway me towards the 9500 (transportation problems excepted) would be it has a better and more adaptable and flexible tape deck and it would offer plug in and play for an old JVC turntable without a preamp.

Cleve

Well thanks very much for all input. Really helpful.

This morning I bought this 9500

I sent the seller a polite email stating my concerns about damage in transit. He just telephoned me, really nice guy and he is very aware of what needs to be done to get it to me safely. In fact he has had it from new, comes with everything including the original box, packaging & manuals. He will add loads more additional packaging too. He apologised for not having the original receipt!

The only issue with this unit is the loose glass and he is going to temporarily selloptape it down (& the top glass panel just in case) for transit.

I'll have no problems refixing the panel and might remove them for the trip to France as Jay mentions though as it's in the original packaging it might be better to leave them in situ.

Fingers crossed.

Steve

Well done Steve - think you got a steal there :)