Well guys it is here.  A bit grubby around the front panel, but the cabinet itself is really nice - no damage to the corners or missing veneer.

The stereo light lights on phono and tape, but not on strong FM, so my diagnosis so far (without having looked inside yet..) is the stereo decoder was never fitted, or has died - has anyone got one available by any chance?

Also, the bass knob is missing, treble knob is a nasty plastic thing, so I also need 2 of those. The tuning knob has an index on it - has it been swapped for one of the bass/treble knobs?  Can someone email me a pic of the knobs close up so I can check this?

Finally, the index strip on the radio dial (the rail with the slidey black things on it ) has the right hand end broken off - has anyone got a replacement strip from a broken dial/fascial, or a complete panel?

I realise these radios are quite rare these days, and those that have got one either want to keep it because it is nice, or are trying to fix it up, like me.  But if someone has some "spares" kicking around I'd be very happy to purchase these from you, and  get this radio in A1 condition, like when John first bought it, only better if I can find an FM mux board. It will be getting a full strip down and clean, and then I'll take some pictures.

 Other than the bits mentioned above, it works great. So, what do I think?  WONDERFUL!  What a sound!! Playing 60's music through it on AM and it almost brought a tear to my eye - and I was born in 72! FM is really strong and clear and playing with the bass and treble a bit shows just what a fabulous sound it has.  If you regard it as a radio, then it the best sounding radio I have ever heard, without a moments doubt. What a unit!

 

Hi Ray

I'm listening to the radio at home today as I'm not feeling too fresh. Have been alternating between AM for Radio 5, and LW for Test Match Special on Radio 4 - all through my lovely Beomaster 900M + Beovox 1000s. Was my first piece of B&O, and probably my favourite (depending which day you ask me on!). You've got a great receiver there!

Let me have your email and I'll send you a photo of my 900M. Think the buttons are the same on the M as the K.

John 

The Beomaster 900K, 900M and 900RG is basically the same radio, at least it's the same chassis but there are A LOT of different versions.
Designwise, there are two different "looks".
- The grey one (like yours with the station memory ruler), dial completely flush with the wood surround.
- The black one, where the dial is behind an extra window protruding apprx 5mm from the wooden cabinet.
The Beomaster 900K has grey or black speaker grills, flush and protruding respectively.

I agree that it sounds like your Beomaster 900K doesn't have the MPX module installed.
There are some modules out there but expect them to cost a bit.

Three different knobs are used for the bass/treble/balance and tuning;
- Volume has knurled grip and index point
- Bass and treble has index point but smooth sides
- Tuning has the knurled grip but no index point
Depending on the version, the shaft diameters are different. Some are 4mm others 6mm.
Furthermore, some versions have light polished aluminum knobs (that by now are almost all oxidated to some extent), others have chromed brass knobs (heavy!).
To add further to the confusion, both 4mm and 6mm knobs are found as alu and chrome.

The built-in pressure chamber (in 1964 !) speakers sound wonderful, I agree but try
connecting a pair of newer or larger external speakers and you'll be even more surprised.
The amplifier has a unique and superb sound.

Martin

Good Heavens!
Why do you think there were so many versions Dillen?  Was it evolving, or was it something to do with the availability of parts?

Andy T.

Hi Martin

 Thanks for your message - there's a lot of information in there, and you have cleared up the knob situation for me:

Currently, the volume control is fitted with the correct knob, milled edge and index point. Bass and treble are now knobless, and the tuning control is fitted with one of the tone knobs (index point, smooth edge).

The knobs are covered in general dirt, as is the whole front panel, but under this the knobs are certainly chromed brass - they're much brighter than the buttons, though have the same coating of grime.

With regard to the demux module, I will verify tomorrow whether it is installed and faulty, or simply not fitted.  How much is 'a bit' in your estimation?

I'll have to link it to some speakers (maybe my RL45) tomorrow and have a listen.

Thanks again
 

Well I got a few hours spare today and stripped it down.  As suspected, there's a space where a panel would fit in at the top right, in a holder above the main board, and a valve-style socket that currently has a shorting piece in.  This is clearly the space where the stereo decoder would go, and so I now know I definitely need one - any offers?

 What is strange though, is that at some point there has been a board there - there is solder on the chassis tabs that would ground the board, so it looks like the board has been removed.

I've given all the switches and pots a good going over with cleaner, and all the crackles (of which there weren't many) have gone.

I've cleaned the dial, the knobs (well, the 2 I have... again, any offers?) and the case - it looks MUCH better now. The outside was really filthy with years of grot and nicotine staining  - the water was yellow!  The cabinet has really cleaned up, and it won't need sanding down anywhere.  I used a green washing-up pad and some washing up liquid, and under the grot were some white paint splatters that were previously hidden, and then under them the veneer is lovely and clean.  The only blight is the nicotine staining to the speaker grilles, but I think some T-cut will take care of that, and the broken end to the index marker strip on the dial.

Despite the grotty exterior, the chassis was unbelievably clean for a 60's radio - thanks to the sealed pressure-chamber design none of the usual dust can get in.

It's all back together, and working great, except for the 2 bulbs that illuminate the dial and tuning meter, which are just 6v LES bulbs, and I'll be going to Maplin tomorrow.

 I've taken a lot of photos, but I don't want to fill the forum with them. I'll be putting them on my site (when I've got it working again...), but until then if anyone is interested I can email them to you.

 So guys, if you have any of the bits I need, please get in touch.

Cheers

PS: Now to start on the Beogram 1000 I bought to go with it that doesn't select speeds properly....

 

rayfenwick:

 I've taken a lot of photos, but I don't want to fill the forum with them.

Ooh, you don't want to be doing that Ray

Can't wait to get mine back, it's in for repair at the moment.

Hi Ray,

I was watching that too out of interest on eBay.  The 900 series do sound good - nicely rounded sound I think.  My first piece of collectable (older) B&O came from Martin Dillen in 2002.  My 900 is still mint condition and sounds wonderful after Martin's fettling.  The 900RG that came wirth the system I bought in Holland recently also sounds fantastic - my step daughter loves it (she's 10 and a budding Beofan).  I may have a basket case 900K with some knobs you need.  I'll see if I can find it.

davefarr:

Hi Ray,

I was watching that too out of interest on eBay.  The 900 series do sound good - nicely rounded sound I think.  My first piece of collectable (older) B&O came from Martin Dillen in 2002.  My 900 is still mint condition and sounds wonderful after Martin's fettling.  The 900RG that came wirth the system I bought in Holland recently also sounds fantastic - my step daughter loves it (she's 10 and a budding Beofan).  I may have a basket case 900K with some knobs you need.  I'll see if I can find it.

 

Hi Dave

Thanks for your email. Yes, I love my 900K, listening to it now, and the fact it was Wyndham's is just that little bit of icing on the cake
I've decided to put together a little vintage system based around it, with a Beogram 1000 (which looks almost new) and I'm watching a Beocord 1200 reel-to-reel that looks great too.

 I'd be very interested in your basket-case 900K if you can find it - There are a few other bits I like besides the knobs if you have them - I'm sure we can work it out between us .

 
Meanwhile, here's a reassembled picture.  As you can see the cabinet is really lovely, just the yellowing of the speaker grilles lets it down, but I'm going to have a go at them soon.

Cheers

Thanks John

 It's not as pretty as your 900M, but I'm hoping to get it there :)

The yellowing doesn't look so bad there, but I'll sort it :)
 

Jandyt:

Well done with reassembling your picture Ray, I can't even see the joins!

I guess I asked for that  

davefarr:

Hi Ray,

I was watching that too out of interest on eBay.  The 900 series do sound good - nicely rounded sound I think.  My first piece of collectable (older) B&O came from Martin Dillen in 2002.  My 900 is still mint condition and sounds wonderful after Martin's fettling.  The 900RG that came wirth the system I bought in Holland recently also sounds fantastic - my step daughter loves it (she's 10 and a budding Beofan).  I may have a basket case 900K with some knobs you need.  I'll see if I can find it.

 

Hi Dave

You know, you really should buy this to fit into the space in your RG - that would be a real collectors item if you had the full system  

Hi Ray,

the RG is complete already.  It came with a Beocord 2000 in mint condition including some manuals and paperwork (schematics etc) that I'm about to submit to the site for inclusion in the 'products' section.  The whole RG system was 120 EUR.  The sound from the speakers is awesome and fills our large open plan room with a warm, round sound.  I've conneted a couple of extra speakers (S45's I think) too which expands the sound.  Fortunately, I could remove the legs (bolted rather than wood dowels)so it would fit in the car for the drive home.  I smiled like a Cheshire cat all the way home and even more once I played it for the first time.  It still put some modern units to shame!.  This doesn't show it at its best but gives you an idea of my growing collection:

I've now got approx 350 items at home, hence the extension to the house!.

Regards,

Dave.

Hi Dave

Looks gorgeous, really!  At the moment the flat in Moscow is about empty, and I'm living in a tatty spare room at my mums, with WAY too much stuff.  I look forward to having some beautiful B&O in the flat, and doing my best to show it off well.

A bit off-topic, but guitars too huh?  I don't have  Strat at the moment, but have a lovely 1989 Gibson Les Paul '57 Goldtop, with p90  single coils and I changed the tuners from Klusons to NOS 1977 gold Schallers, and replaced all the other hardware for Gibson gold stuff, so it is now an exact replica of Jeff Lynne's guitar from the 1973-1981 period.

I also have a 1977 Ovation Pacemaker 1615-4 12 string (same month as Jeff Lynne's), a 1980  Ovation Custom Legend 1619-4 which I've added a gold Bigsby so it is now a replica of a guitar Jeff Lynne used around the time of Traveling Wilburys, a 1988 Gretsch TW1 Traveling Wilburys guitar (spotted a theme yet? )

Latest addition is an Ovation Applause soprano ukulele, which I'm learning to play.

Hi Ray,

the cream Strat is a US made 1967 model.  The red one is a Mexican.  I've also got a Hagstrom Super Swede (which some players reckon is better than a Les Paul) though I've not yet got a Gibson LP (I will in the future though I hope).  I saw from another thread that you also seem to collect watches - is that right?  I've a few RADO watches at home at the moment.  My best one is the DiaStar Chronograph (maxi) - it's beautiful but the batteries for it only last about 18 months and it's really expensive to get them replaced (especially as last time the dealer broke the whole mechanism!).  I basically got a new watch from them after that as it was factory replaced.  We seem to have similar collectors tastes.  Here is one of my best B&O items:

I also collect classic cars:Lotus Elan Sprint (1973), Renault Alpine A310 (ex Lotus/DeLorean development car), another Renault Alpine A310 (6 headlight model), Daimler 250 V8 (1969), Fiat Dino 2400 (Ferrari engine of course) (1972).  Just as well we have plenty of space!.

 One of my honeymoons (I've had a few!) was a 3 week trip to Russia many years ago.  4 days in Moscow, 2 weeks at the Black see coast and 3 days in St Petersburg.  Fantastic place, I loved it.

Sorry to jump in here Dave - I think there are quite a few of us here who like old cars and old watches - I guess it's something to do with a love of design?

Love your classic car collection - are they all left-hand drive with you living in France? Always fancied an Elan, but never had the chance to drive one myself. For my part I've now got a 72 MG BGT in the garage, and a nice mid-70s Breitling Trans-ocean chronograph on my wrist. Would like to add more to these collections, but the B&O demon keeps winning out and it's this collection that is expanding exponentially!

davefarr:

Hi Ray,

the cream Strat is a US made 1967 model.  The red one is a Mexican.  I've also got a Hagstrom Super Swede (which some players reckon is better than a Les Paul) though I've not yet got a Gibson LP (I will in the future though I hope).  I saw from another thread that you also seem to collect watches - is that right?  I've a few RADO watches at home at the moment.  My best one is the DiaStar Chronograph (maxi) - it's beautiful but the batteries for it only last about 18 months and it's really expensive to get them replaced (especially as last time the dealer broke the whole mechanism!).  I basically got a new watch from them after that as it was factory replaced.  We seem to have similar collectors tastes.  Here is one of my best B&O items:

I also collect classic cars:Lotus Elan Sprint (1973), Renault Alpine A310 (ex Lotus/DeLorean development car), another Renault Alpine A310 (6 headlight model), Daimler 250 V8 (1969), Fiat Dino 2400 (Ferrari engine of course) (1972).  Just as well we have plenty of space!.

 One of my honeymoons (I've had a few!) was a 3 week trip to Russia many years ago.  4 days in Moscow, 2 weeks at the Black see coast and 3 days in St Petersburg.  Fantastic place, I loved it.

Hi Dave

Some lovely items there, I'm envious, not leastly of the space for everything! One day I'd like to live somewhere big with some space, but it'll be a flat for quite a while...

Cars?  I like so many, but my collection (just a dream at the moment) will be big Citroens... that je ne sais quoi... DS, SM, CX, XM (I've owned 3 of those...) and a C6. Love 'em.

And yes, Russia is wonderful, and though I've only seen a tiny part of it I look forward to seeing lots more when I am based there. When I get married next year we're doing it in Paris, spending a few days there (last time I was there it was only fleeting) and then down to the south coast.  I had a week in Cannes about 8 years ago, but was ill and didn't appreciate it much, so I want to go back. 

Don't apologise, the more the merrier.  All part of the community (not care in the community!).  The Daimler and Elan are the only RHD cars, all others are left hookers.  The Renault Alpine A310 was bought via eBay.  I flew from Basel/Mulhouse to Manchester airport and collected it at 10.00pm in the multi storey car park.  Drove it to my parents in Sale to stay overnight, then drove it back to France the next day.  It was quite a journey.  A big risk as it was unseen but the history behind it makes it unique and more valuable than the relatively small sum I paid for it.  The Elan is probably with me for life as I'd hate to part with it.  What is it with us collectors?

I meant to add this one too:

j0hnbarker:

Sorry to jump in here Dave - I think there are quite a few of us here who like old cars and old watches - I guess it's something to do with a love of design?

Love your classic car collection - are they all left-hand drive with you living in France? Always fancied an Elan, but never had the chance to drive one myself. For my part I've now got a 72 MG BGT in the garage, and a nice mid-70s Breitling Trans-ocean chronograph on my wrist. Would like to add more to these collections, but the B&O demon keeps winning out and it's this collection that is expanding exponentially!

 

I think you're right John.  I appreciate things that are designed with something other than a budget in mind. Things that have been made better to look at and live with.  I'd rather have a Citroen than any of the bland Euroboxes, and if I was buying a new car (which I am not) I'd buy a Citroen C6, even knowing the depreciation is tragic. 

The latest watch I am after is a 1950s Russian chronograph that's identical to the watches worn by Gagarin, Titov etc. I can't really afford it, but hey, you only live once....  

Hi Ray,

 the first thing that drew me to B&O was the design, not the sound.  I know what sounds good to my ears but am not an audiophile.  I knew in the 1980's when I bought my first full system that B&O had a good reputation for sound but it was the sleek design and flashing lights that first hooked me.  Though not shown at its best in this picture (below), this was the first system I bought in about 1986? from the store in Wilmslow, Cheshire.  Beocentre 4000, Beogram CDX and deck all on its own stand with X35 speakers and active am 10 antenna.  I've still got it (as is in the picture) though the alu panels fell off, the CDX doesn't play any more and a cat urinated on the deck and speakers!  I won't get rid of it though - I have cleaned it up by the way.

Hi:

I really like Jaguar's and have been breaking them for a few years with a friend of mine in the London area. I have an interest in a Jaguar dismantlers if anyone has Jaguars and is looking for parts. However, the purpose of me replying to this thread was not to unashemedly advertise myself but to say that I seem to like stuff from the 1950s era that was made decently. I really like the Jaguar Mk X or 420g and once I have passed my test (having failed three times on silly things), I am getting me one. It will probably cost me a bomb to insure and be like parking an aircraft carrier. However, I want one.

I don't know what it is with me and the 50s. When people think of "ordinary" furniture from this era they are quite rightly repulsed - formica, chipboard, etc. However, if you ever have a chance to buy "proper" furniture from this period, you really should. I once had a 1950's cocktail cabinet which had a drop down unit which once pulled down would cause two little shelves to fold out with a lemon squeezer and ice tray in them. The veneer on this was really rich and the unit really heavy. Of its time but not God awful like the cheaper stuff mentioned above.

 Now the real point of me joining this thread was so I could ask where I could get a Grand Prix radio from. I really like the look of it and think it will make a nice yet contrasting addition to my room. At the moment it is all rather complicated - Beovision 1 connected to Xbox and graphics card on my PC which I then use to stream media. As I can't leave things alone and like messing around with them, it would make a refreshing change to buy a Grand Prix, stick it on the shelf and just use it for what it is meant without trying to upgrade its sound board, runnig cables from it etc!

I really would like one so if anyone has any idea where I coud get one from that would be awesome.