Are there any obvious physical differences between the Beogram 3400 and 3404?

There are two different 3400 models which confuses the issue. The original 3400 was a 1900 clone with the option of a CD4 board. However in the US there was a later 3400 and 3404 which have the sloping front of the 2202 etc. These replaced the 2200 and 2400 in the US. The 3404 has the remote link of the 2400 whereas the 3400 matches the 2200.

Beogram 3400 and 3404 have different tone arms.

The 3400 has a black rectangular tone arm. The counter weight is also hidden in a compartment at the back of the arm that you slide to adjust.

The 3404 has a cylindrical tone arm with a large cylindrical counter weight that you rotate to adjust.

The pattern on the platter also differs, but that's stylistic only.

Derek

Unfortunately not that simple!! The 3404 comes in two variants - the Type 5727 and 5747. Only the later 5747 has the round section arm which is also seen in the 2202 and 2402.

Would you be able to identify the model in this picture?

It has an mmc 20EN cartridge, which leads me to beleive that it is a 3404, but I can't be certain that it is the original cartridge. Then again, it does say 3400 on the front panel.

I have both the 2404 and 3404 that use the late cartridges...

The picture is of a 3400...

Are there any non-physical differences between the US and European versions of the Beogram 3400?

I am mainly interested in whether or not the US version has the ability to play quadraphonic records and a built in preamp.

All Beograms can play SQ records. The decoder is in the receiver. Very few European 3400s can play CD4 records as they need the rarely fitted CD4 module fitted. The US 3400 will not be able to play CD4 records. You should be able to tell the difference between a US 3400 and a 3404 by the fact that the 3404 will have a 7 pin DIN plug fitted.( It may have had the two extra pins unscrewed though!)

So the US 3400 does not have a built in RIAA Preamp?

No, it is designed to work with a Beomaster 2200 or 2400 which have the RIAA in the receiver. There are relatively few beograms with a built in RIAA and they all attract a healthy premium. If you want an RIAA, get an external one - much cheaper and quite possibly superior anyway. The quad decks do have the built in RIAA but when in quad mode, they do limit the top frequencies to 15kHz. Now for me, that is no problem (I don't think I can hear much over 13kHz!) but some may regard this as a disadvantage.

Thank you, your response has been very helpful. I am planning on using an external preamp, and wanted to make sure that there wasn't one built in.