BeoWorld North America

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:26:37 GMT

More BG 4002 saga.

I'm looking for a qualified B&O tech in Northern California / San Francisco Bay Area to repair my BG 4002.

Have any of you folks had any experience with anyone in my area?

Thanks, Craig

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:24:15 GMT

Where can I access the the service manual on this site?

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

Peter — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:27:59 GMT

I am sure it will be able to be fixed! The common thing to break is the wheel on the screw thread by tightening it too much - it splits. Super glue should fix it.

The service manuals are on site but to be honest, cut your losses and call in an expert. These are complex decks and not simple to repair. They are however worth the effort as they perform well and are the most beautiful record player made in my opinion.

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:33:49 GMT

Well I may have bollixed the whole thing. I opened up the deck and found that the screw drive for the tone-arm transport seemed gummed up, old lubricant. I decided to take the screw drive out, clean and lubricate it with mineral oil. I may have screwed up the alignment when replacing it, though it seemed right. Somewhere along the way in the repair I must have bumped the tone-arm because it was at a skewed angle. I tried to push it back into place but I think I broke something in the tone-arm suspension. I'm not usually all thumbs, but I think I f****d it up. The little belt that drives the screw drive is spinning, but won't turn the screw (machine threaded rod). I don't know how to get into the housing of the tone-arm suspension to see if I broke it. I feel like a first class idiot.

• Do I need the Service Manual?

• If I need the Service Manual, where do I get one?

• Does anyone know a repair tech in the San Francisco Bay area?

• I think I'm still getting (was getting) rumble from the drive motor through the signal from the cartridge. If so, is it worth trying to get this unit fixed? This is starting to look like a $600 repair.

• Menahem, I don't think I have the skill or patience to start replacing components on the circuit boards. Maybe you could give me the name of the tech in Chicago you mentioned. (But I think I'd be into $100 just in shipping charges)

- Craig

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

yachadm — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:38:16 GMT

Take a look at my post

http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/thread/94148.aspx

In restoring mine, I came across just about every fault that could be in this deck, short of total mechanical breakdown.

It's best read with the turntable open in front of you, so you can check everything I wrote about.

Check the 2nd article down ToneArm not lowering, where I mention replacing a Diode, and the 3rd article down on that page - 33/45 Speed Problem - diode and capacitors.

Your problem may be electronic, or the actual plastic gear on the motor axle may be cracked (the gear which has the rubber belt).

I had to build mine up with epoxy.

Don't give up, and keep us updated

Regards

Menahem Yachad

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:07:07 GMT

Well I'm starting to feel despair. I replaced the RCA connectors and that cleaned up the sound considerably. I still have some low frequency rumble, but maybe that's just the turntable. I've isolated it from the desk it is on with some high density foam squares.

My problem is I started digitizing some records, and only after 2 complete sides, now the tone arm fails to move to the LP. When I press STOP, it tries to return, I hear the motor straining, but it will not move without external help. The drive mechanism to move the tonearm seams unable to do its job.

I'm feeling like I bought into property where I want to build a house only to find it has a sink-hole.

Is there any way I can repair this myself? Any advice appreciated.

I feel now that I should have just bought one of those USB turntables.

Craig -- dumb aspiring audiophile.

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:46:49 GMT

Yachdem,

Thanks for your response. I have come to the same conclusion as you, that the deck should be quiet. My CD and my tape player are dead quiet at the same level.

I can't afford to send this deck to Chicago, but there is a pretty good tech here in Santa Cruz. I was just going to ask him to check the ground, but now I'll suggest that maybe capacitors are suspect. Any particular part of the circuitry to focus on?

Also, do you see any value in converting the deck back to the DIN connector? Or should I just leave it with RCA connectors?

Craig

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

yachadm — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:02 GMT

Hi Craig

That hum is absolutely not acceptable.

I've restored a couple of these magnificent units, as well as of other makes, and no way should you hear any type of hum at all.

These are SILENT decks, and the silence is a rare pleasure. What you do hear, is pure music.

That said, the problem may NOT be in the cabling, but somewhere else in the circuit. Capacitors are a perennial problem in this unit.

But for the vendor to fob you off with the b.s. excuse that it's some kind of normal, is absolutely unacceptable.

If I was in the US, I'd be happy to look after it for you, but there's a friend of mine in Chicago who may be able to help you. He was a TEAC/TASCAM technician for over 35 years. I'm not going to post his details on the forum, but if you're interested send me a PM.

Menahem Yachad

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

Peter — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:46:38 GMT

I must confess the odd crackle does not bother me. I however get no hum when playing a record!! Still think you have a problem! I use Grado RS1s with my BG4004 via a BM5500 and Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 headphone amplifier.

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

camshaft — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:31:30 GMT

Hi Craig,

As for the cleaning, deionized water is fine, or even distilled. I use reverse-osmosis simply because I have a RO system in my house. For records that haven't been played in a long time, or ones that I just bought used, I do the following, which is a tried and true method by many vinyl junkies:

Mix about 1 part rubbing alcohol (the purity/percentage doesn't matter really, but it can't have any additives like oils) with about 3 parts of your chosen pure water. Then add a single drop of dishwashing detergent to the mix (I make about 1 to 1.5 cups). Buy a cheap plastic spray bottle and fill it with your cleaning mix. Then find a 100% cotton undershirt that's been washed a bunch of times to soften it. Spray the cleaning solution onto the record and wipe around in a circular motion with the t-shirt. Make sure you let the records dry before playing them!

For the quick 5-second cleanings before playing a record, just use a record brush. The Hunt is a good one, and pretty popular. It has carbon fiber bristles on the edges, and a soft felt pad in the center.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73714

Hope that helps!

Austin

edit: I should have mentioned that completely submerging and washing the records as you mentioned is also fine, and is more thorough than what I advised, but you definitely don't have to do that, so don't both unless you want to.

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:53:19 GMT

OK, you guys are really helpful, thanks.

My goal may cause audiophiles to cringe, but I want to digitize my vinyl collection so that I can finally get rid of those LPs that I seldom want to listen to, but can't bring myself to get rid of, such as a recording of Handel's Converti a due cori by the English Chamber Orchestra. I have about 60 LPs that I'd like in iTunes, but don't want to pack up when I have to move again.

I've been told that the hum I hear in headphones coming from the turntable is just something that should be expected from a turntable, and that it is not a ground problem hum. I've been hearing this when I have no LP on the tt, and just bring the gain to over 50%. They say, (several people say) I should hear what it sounds like playing an LP through speakers. OK, I'll check it out after I get my speakers repaired.

I'm running my Proton 1100 preamp into the line in of my M-Audio Audiophile 2496 sound card in my dual processor G4. Do any of you have recommendations for capture software? I have Roxio CD Spin Doctor, Audacity, and Abelton Live Lite 7. Should I record at 44.1, or 96 KHz? Any recommendations for removing the pops and crackle of the LP?

One friend recommended cleaning each CD in soap and water using Dawn Dish soap and rinsing in de-ionized water. Another says just use the cleaning solution and corduroy brush which is standard for LPs. Another says submerge each LP in de-ionized water and get an ultrasonic source like those used to clean jewelry to get all the dirt out of the grooves. --- HOLY SMOKE I thought this would be a fairly simple process. --- Should I use a post-recording software to remove clicks and pops? Any suggestions?

You audiophiles should know that while I will digitize most of my vinyl, I will keep some of the LPs and buy new ones to listen on the Beogram 4002. Though my ears are a bit blown out, I think I'll still appreciate raw vinyl.

- Craig

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

tournedos — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:06:25 GMT

No, the transport screws can remain open (and they have to, if you plan to take a look at how the belt is running or do other adjustments).

The cartridge just pulls forward. Wiggling it a little sideways can help. They can be quite tight, so I try to leave them alone as much as possible.

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

craig_c — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:33:05 GMT

Again, thanks!

Before opening it up, is it necessary to engage the lock-down screws on the bottom of the turntable?

And, removing the cartridge, do I pull it forward? Does it twist? I'm in new territory here.

-Craig

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

tournedos — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:39:45 GMT

I'll add one warning about the lid - if you remove it, turn it open (up) first. The torsion spring that is supposed to keep it in upright position has a lot of power, and will bang the hinge back with horrific force if you manage to detach it from the turntable chassis in closed position! (yes, once I had my brain switched off and did just this. Luckily I did't break any fingers, or worse yet, the lid itself)

While removing the covers, the cartridge can remain fitted if you are extra careful. It's easiest to start with the rectangular piece, lifting the side edge up a little and then sliding the panel to the right.

About the grounding, try it first with the extra wire anyway before taking the turntable to the shop, you can do that without disassembling anything. That way you'll be sure that the problem is the ground wire (I'd be very surprised if it wasn't, though).

Oh yes, and unplug the power before starting! The live parts can be pretty much exposed in the rear left corner of the chassis, but you don't quite know where when doing this for the first time.

Re: Beogram 4002 - new owner questions

Peter — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:58:48 GMT

The 4002 is the easiest deck in the world to open up!

Remove the cartridge.

The wood trim around the three sides of the deck will be able to be pushed forward from the back. It has slides on that hold the metal panels in place. Once it is slid forward, the panels simply lift off. The panel around the platter, the platter and the plate under the arm are all just removable. To remove the switch panel, the illuminated speed display simply pulls out and then there is a single screw which once undone releases that panel. it is attached by a number of electrical push on connectors.

Refitting is simply the reverse.

Removing the panels makes changing the belts a doddle. The lid is held on by two sprung screw bolts which when loosened from underneath allow the lid to slide backwards and off. All the circuit boards are removable by identifying and unscrewing the retaining screws. I have dismantled mine easily and it went back together and even works! And I am completely useless!