BeoWorld North America

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

TripEnglish — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:07:46 GMT

Sorry to hear about the OP's bad experience. Either he's posted about this before or this is not the first case of a client being unable to procure a pair of Form 2 foams (or I have deja vu). It's very frustrating to hear about clients who experience the brand through some of our more careless colleagues.

A conversation as to the merits of the gear can fill a forum, but there's no question that it deserves competent, if not outright passionate, representation. To goof up on such a basic level is absolutely unacceptable. At the very least, a pair of foams could be harvested from a new pair and replaced at the dealer's convenience so that the client is taken care of.

(And on the topic of the McIntosh gear, it's friggin' awesome. Superb build, great sound, great everything. I've got a BeoSound 5 in the field working with a McIntosh setup and it's a terrific combo)

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

mediabobny — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:14:50 GMT

They used to conduct clinics at dealers that carried their products (and might still). They had all sorts of electronic test equipment on hand to measure the specifications of components - right in front of you. You could bring in your Brand X amplifier (or whatever) and see if it lived up to its specifications. I guess the point was, in many cases they didn't. In any event, I once brought my McIntosh MC2105 amplifier to one. The technical specifications claimed it was capable of 105 watts RMS per side. The measured results: 130 watts RMS per channel. That's credibility..

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

Piaf — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:50:50 GMT

As I have said, probably too often, I prefer the B&O sound, especially the Beomaster 4500.

However McIntosh is a rock solid product and they stand behind their equipment, no matter how old.

Then there is resale, it is a cold fact of life that I could sell my 500 watt 2255 amp for considerably MORE than I paid for it. You can’t say that about any B&O product.

I love the sheer power of that amp and even today the McIntosh ML-2 speakers are my favorite. They lack the crisp highs of the MC120.2 speakers, but the bass is incredible with FOUR 12” woofers, not to mention the mellow 8” mid-range.

The fact that McIntosh has never changed their look I find a comforting reformation that they had it right in the first place.

Jeff

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

cooldude — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:04:33 GMT

R Patton:

"I have looked up the website of Macintosh and you have to say that besides the specs there is not much there. Still looks like many 80ies black box systems to me. But this is my personal opinion, and I am sure they make really nice sounding amps with easy to fix proven standard components."

cooldude, You are quite right, good equipment and VERY expensive and a "look" that has never really changed. I like McIntosh in comparison to other 80's box design components (second to the beomaster box systems). Unfortunately for McIntosh has about as much wife approval factor as smoking a cigar in bed after love making.

Pitty to spend that much on equipment and feel compelled to hide it, unless you like the stacked bricks (amps) between caskets speakers standing on end , that is so common in the home setup photos you see at various "audiophile" websites.

lmao

My friend, I can't add anything to that !!!....... pretty much says it all, as far as I am concerned .

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

R Patton — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:01:45 GMT

I don't frequent any McIntosh forums, if there are any, but would guess to say that McIntosh owners do not labor over McIntosh's lack of compatability with Apple products/marketing the way B&O customers do and they seem no worse for it either.

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

vikinger — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:56:33 GMT

Just found McIntosh Liverpool address is registered office of distributor who is based near Chester. Found the UK price list here. WOW! Suddenly B&O seems so stylish and good value (although I bet those valve/ tube amps are really unbeatable for quality output.)

Graham

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

R Patton — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:35:20 GMT

"I have looked up the website of Macintosh and you have to say that besides the specs there is not much there. Still looks like many 80ies black box systems to me. But this is my personal opinion, and I am sure they make really nice sounding amps with easy to fix proven standard components."

cooldude, You are quite right, good equipment and VERY expensive and a "look" that has never really changed. I like McIntosh in comparison to other 80's box design components (second to the beomaster box systems). Unfortunately for McIntosh has about as much wife approval factor as smoking a cigar in bed after love making.

Pitty to spend that much on equipment and feel compelled to hide it, unless you like the stacked bricks (amps) between caskets speakers standing on end , that is so common in the home setup photos you see at various "audiophile" websites.

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

cooldude — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:28:19 GMT

Piaf:

I appreciate that the B&O dealer in Montreal will sell us parts, but I very much doubt that they would have anything for a Beogram 4000. For these hard to find parts Frede at Classic Audio and Martin are a fantastic resource!

As for McIntosh, they never got into televisions being primarily a stereo manufacturer, and although their look is nothing like a B&O product, their equipment is built like a tank, more accurately over-built and I recommend them with all my heart.

I failed to mention that not only did they completely rebuild my 30 year old 2255 amp “under warrantee", they also repaired my C-27 pre-amp also under warrantee…. and paid for the international shipping.

Jeff

Well that's a service nobody can beat... good for you. I hope they'll keep up that kind of service.

I have no problem here having my 70ies beomaster 4000 fixed (by an independent but specialized electronics repair center) a year or two ago. Nor just last month my CD50 (1982?) or my old beocord for that matter. They also have fixed my beogram 5500 with a dead motor and wonky power supply and messed-up timing. They also got me a new piece of glass (or is it plastic?) for my beocord as the old one chipped. I can't complain on any level.

I also know, at the dealers, I don't have to bring in anything needing fixing that's not under warranty (they'll take a beocenter 9500 or ouverture though, but I guess nothing much older..) I know service at B&O is deplorable at best.

Frede and Martin have my highest respect for the excellent info, threads and replies they provide on this site. Truly an asset to Beoworld and Bang and Olufsen. I learn from them every day.

I have looked up the website of Macintosh and you have to say that besides the specs there is not much there. Still looks like many 80ies black box systems to me. But this is my personal opinion, and I am sure they make really nice sounding amps with easy to fix proven standard components.

Sound is one thing (I am not in tube amps or anything exotic like that) but design and interaction is also a strongpoint factor as I totally love the beolab designs, the cd changes on be BS9000, the welcoming doors of the ouverture, the wings of the BC2 the use of beo4 and masterlink system etc. And on a personal note there is also the fact my wife would kill me if I brought in big cases of amps and wardrobe size speakers etc .....

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

Piaf — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:55:01 GMT

I appreciate that the B&O dealer in Montreal will sell us parts, but I very much doubt that they would have anything for a Beogram 4000. For these hard to find parts Frede at Classic Audio and Martin are a fantastic resource!

As for McIntosh, they never got into televisions being primarily a stereo manufacturer, and although their look is nothing like a B&O product, their equipment is built like a tank, more accurately over-built and I recommend them with all my heart.

I failed to mention that not only did they completely rebuild my 30 year old 2255 amp “under warrantee", they also repaired my C-27 pre-amp also under warrantee…. and paid for the international shipping.

Jeff

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

cooldude — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:04:47 GMT

Hi,

I am located in Montreal. We have at least 2 to 3 repair companies around that have people that are well experienced with B&O.

The official dealers are very reluctant to sell spare parts if they can't do the repairs in the first place. (excuse being the quality of work, use of original parts and warranty issues etc .....whatever...)

However the company that does some of my repairs has no problem selling me spare parts if requested. I even did send some parts through to somebody in the US as it's sometimes even harder over there to get B&O specific parts than here in Canada.

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

vikinger — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:24:25 GMT

Piaf:

McIntosh is another matter. Their products are superbly made, even today, and they stand behind them. My 1979 McIntosh 2255 amp failed and McIntosh offered to repair it at the factory.

So if I was looking for a new amplifier it would unquestionably be a McIntosh, PERIOD.

Jeff

Interesting comment on McIntosh....... particularly as I've found that their only UK outlet is in an adjacent Liverpool suburb!

Although they do make complete systems they are more of a high quality amp manufacturer (using valves if you want them!)

Aesthetics are very different to B&O, yet the equipment appearance will still appeal to many.

Graham

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

Piaf — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:33:08 GMT

Michael,

I too LOVE my B&O equipment, but as there are no B&O dealers of any kind on Vancouver Island, the closest dealer is in Vancouver, a ferry ride away, 1 ½ hours and expensive, plus that dealer has no repair facilities, only some guy who answers his phone when the spirit moves him. As such when something breaks, I need to repair it myself with the great help of BeoWorld…. or ship the item to Martin. (Who is just the best!)

McIntosh is another matter. Their products are superbly made, even today, and they stand behind them. My 1979 McIntosh 2255 amp failed and McIntosh offered to repair it at the factory.

They first offered to sell me a new one at cost and it was a fantastic deal, but I decided to have them repair my old one.

When my amp returned there was no bill, they said “It shouldn’t have failed in the first place, so we are repairing it under warrantee.” A 30 year old amp fixed under warrantee, now THAT is customer service!

The B&O sound is unique and to me superior to many others, as such I “covet” a Beomaster 4400 or 8000, but either is now so old as to be in serious need or service.

So if I was looking for a new amplifier it would unquestionably be a McIntosh, PERIOD.

Jeff

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

Friedmett — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:51:59 GMT

I can recall the days of early 1990's. B&O was just quickly in, god that is expensive, and then out again. I can't recall seeing some of the B&O I own these days in the shops though I did have the opportunity.

I got more trouble with the audio than video department in picking out new B&O. I'm still highly in love with my collection of pre 1992 audio. I'm very happy that Dillen is living in Denmark in order to keep it working right. Beovisions are cool and repair shops got not problems in doing service on my '98 AV9000 IMP as long as I pay the price for the repairs.

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

Peter — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:53:43 GMT

mfirst:

I follow this forum since it is interesting and I am still the owner of lots of their stuff - but like many former members (Mr 10% anyone?) the love affair is gone.

Not sure where you got that one from - Mr 10% posted today.

Re: Moving on... bought my last B&O anything...

Peter — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:41:07 GMT

Agree with the above - generic chips programmed with the correct software is the way forward as it will be more reliable, much more compact and cheaper whilst still offering similar performance. Of course when it does break, you have to get a new one so it is likely that the 70s and 80s equipment will be the last to be serviceable in the distant future.

Don't know if anyone is still making it the old way!