I just one a bid for a Beomaster 1700 on Eaby for 1 pound 75!! Its in good cosmetic condition but is untested. I couldn't resist though. Is the Beomaster 1700 consider as a good product?

There are two Beomaster 1700's.
One is a tuner only, meant for use with the Beolab 1700 amplifier, both in the front operated stacking design.
The other is a complete receiver with tuner and amplifier, operated on the sloping top with the two caterpillar bands.

The latter is in my opinion one of the most beautiful and extraordinary designs from Jacob Jensen.
Glass and anodized aluminum. A classic really and definitely one of my design favourites.
Performance may not be that special but it has a fairly good reception and a pleasant sound.

The caterpillar bands tend to slip and the same goes for the button-operated clutches they drive. Usually fixable though and at some point B&O realized the problems and even made a kit to correct it (sadly no longer available).

Martin

I have the later one with the glass. I quite like it although a friend is using it at the moment as I don't need it. I replaced the caterpillar bands which tend to break. The buttons don't click on everytime but I don't feel like fiddling with them as they work most of the time. They don't go for much on Ebay, some of them don't even sell. As Dillen says they have a nice sound.