General Forum

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Copperly — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:08:23 GMT

Since I don't know Jack about sound systems internals, it is estimated that I will spend $1,100 USD restoring my BM 8000. I can't wait to write the check so that I have it back in working order.

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

AdamS — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:47:48 GMT

Yes, the very same. It has also featured a Beocord 2200 and Beocenter 3500 in the last year and an MMCx cartridge rebuild feature last month. This latter issue should still be in the shops if you're quick enough!

Regarding the Beogram 4000 article, years ago I bought one, boxed at my local car boot sale for £4. I repaired it and used it for a year or so and then decided that I no longer wanted it, so sold it for £50, with which I was very pleased. About two months later, that article came out and prices shot up to about £300. I was not amused - once I realised I was an idiot to have sold it (I know, I know, I should have realised sooner...), it took me ages to find another one I could afford!

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Step1 — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:17:35 GMT

Well could you please hold fire until I get an 8000 as well Adam, as I am sure any positive reviews will only launch prices to the moon Out of interest, is this the same publication that reviewed a Beogram 4000 about 10 years ago?

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

AdamS — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:02:22 GMT

Doctor:

When are we to expect the review of the 8000 in the magazine? I thought you all had one now! That and a comparison review of the 4400 would be nice!

No, David still doesn't have one yet and so the embargo still stands! Naturally Tim and I wind him up as often as we can, but I actually pointed him in the direction of the 8000 system that I now have. When he'd done nothing after 10 days, I grabbed it instead - his loss!

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

BeoTom — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:03:16 GMT

Hope they fix up your 8000 well! Keep us updated. The B&O catalog I have for the BM6500 shows it to be rated at 50 watts per channel, which, when compared to the 8000 is probably pretty realistic. Either way, it's still a very good quality, good sounding amp (IMHO), just not quite as good as the 8000!

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Copperly — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:40:22 GMT

The sound quality from the BM 8000 was great but brief. With careful shipping and packaging, it will travel to Atlantic systems for restoration this weekend.

Upon return, I will sample the system through a broader spectrum and will provide a review. My thanks to this board. B&O systems have reinvigorated me. If it is cold and rainy for any length of time where you live, a B&O is a must have.

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Doctor — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:00:54 GMT

When are we to expect the review of the 8000 in the magazine? I thought you all had one now! That and a comparison review of the 4400 would be nice!

On the heaviness, much of the weight in an amplifier is the transformer, which is extremely large in the 8000. It is rather amusing that the 8000 is rated as 100W into 8 ohms where the 6500 is 110W. Makes you realise that figures mean very little when you hear them in real life!

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

AdamS — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:50:27 GMT

I can only echo everyone else's sentiments about the BM8000 - it is wonderful piece of machinery and I have used mine a great deal more than I expected since it returned from a big restoration job. I did buy the whole 8000 system knowing that it was needing some attention, but them I am lucky enought to live about 45 minutes drive from a certain Mr. T. Jarman!

In fact, both items that went to him are working perfectly (BM8000 and BC8000). The two bits I'm doing myself (BG8000 and M150s) are still in pieces - clearly I should be ashamed of myself!

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Cleviebaby — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:59:49 GMT

Copperly:

Question: Is it because the BM 8000 had a phono pre-amp built in that it would play the BG8002 while the BM 6500 will not.

The BM6500 sure seems light to be 110 WPC

Yes, the BM8000 has a built-in pre-amp; the 6500 series had the pre-amp in the BG.

I'm not sure if the power rating has any direct impact on the weight of an amplifier, but the BM 6500 suffered from B&O's changing approach to specifications in the late 80s and 90s. It is a 50-60 WPC amplifier when measuring it to the more realistic industry standard that used to apply in the HI FI world (RMS).

As the person who bought Peter's ('the Doctor') old Beolab 8000 system (BM8000/BG8002/BC9000), I'm really sorry to read of your problems. I only hope you find someone who can repair it. Even in the UK and Europe, there aren't that many people who are experienced in working with what is very complex kit - some would say as few as three! However, I also know just how expensive it would be to transport 22kg of BM safely across the globe!

Cleve

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Doctor — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:56:01 GMT

To be fair, the answer ' I don't see why not' is a good one. The B&O range is just electronics and has the advantage of having good service manuals and are designed to be taken apart. The older equipment uses pretty standard components and those that are less common can isually still be obtained with a little ingenuity.

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Copperly — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:20:18 GMT

Got a brand new, never used, Beolink 1000 on Ebay for $170. I never heard back from SoundSmith. Calling Atlantic in the morning. Thanks

I've been to numerous audio shops around Houston. When I ask if they can restore B & O's, a couple responded " don't see why not" I just cannot digest that answer. If they've never worked on them, I'm staying away.

The BL 1000 will arrive soon. Question: Is it because the BM 8000 had a phono pre-amp built in that it would play the BG8002 while the BM 6500 will not.

The BM6500 sure seems light to be 110 WPC

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

BeoTom — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:56:38 GMT

Copperly:

I am in Texas, USA.

Gramophone in Denver states that many micrprocessor parts and transistors are no longer available to restore BM 8000's

SoundSmith is very busy and is accepting voicemail inquiries. I am awaiting their return call, but, if Gramophone is correct, could it be that SoundSmith re-engineerings and builds some of the component systems.

I am not giving up on this easily.

Hi Copperly,

I am in Texas too, and I wish we could find someone here in Texas that specializes in older B&O. Have you tried Atlantic Systems in Hanover, MA yet? As I said, they seem to have a pretty good rep, so I would also give them a call and see what they say. Unfortunately, they are not exactly "close by", but I suppose neither is the Gramophone Shoppe or Sound Smith! Again, good luck, and let us know how you make out! Hopefully you can get a Beolink 1000 remote (or other) soon, and start enjoying the 6500!

Tommy

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Copperly — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:20:04 GMT

I am in Texas, USA.

Gramophone in Denver states that many micrprocessor parts and transistors are no longer available to restore BM 8000's

SoundSmith is very busy and is accepting voicemail inquiries. I am awaiting their return call, but, if Gramophone is correct, could it be that SoundSmith re-engineerings and builds some of the component systems.

I am not giving up on this easily.

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Friedmett — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:50:08 GMT

I'm also a owner of Beomaster 8000 and 6500. In fact I got 2 of each 4 in total.

When the BM8000 is working it sounds wonderfull but the drawbacks are the space it takes. I also have CDX which actually came with the rosewood BM8000 and I do like how it sounds and work owerall combined.

Now its not all coolness and ready for listning but rather finding a repair man that can handle early '80s B&O which is time consuming and not alot of people knows how to do basic electronic skills right. Mostly its more based on can we just replace the whole part instead going trough capistors and soldering to find the faults. For a CDX/CD50 they will say the lazer is gone when in fact its not.

It's getting harder to find a BM8000 without faults that is mostly due to age or non qualified electronic service.

I think I have had my fair share of faulty B&O but its always a joy when its been serviced correctly.

Re: Beomaster 8000 and Beomaster 6500

Doctor — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:56:24 GMT

On the CD front, I used a CDX with my 8000 and it works very well. It uses the 14 bit TDA1540 DAC but sounds very warm and almost analogue. I no longer have the 8000 system but still use the CDX with my much older 5000 system.