Since he needs at least a receiver, CD Player, and turntable, AND amount of space taken up is an important factor, I think it comes down to one of the stackable systems, whether the 5000, 5500, 6500, or 7000.  They'll even include a cassette deck.  There's plenty of 'wow' factors - looks, top-of-the-line performance, motorized drawers, master control panels (or Beolink 7000's), and tangential tracking turntables in most cases.  

Arguably the best sounding of these systems would be the 5000.  It would also be the cheapest, tho perhaps the least reliable due to its 25-year old age, unless it's been fully serviced.  Depending upon budget considerations I'd recommend either the 5000 or 6500 systems (perhaps not coincidentally due to the fact I own the two).  The 6500 will look more modern with its chrome and black accents but finding a complete one with the turntable would be difficult to say the least.   With regard to speakers, get whatever you want - either B&O or non-B&O, as all these systems have built-in amps and therefore don't require active speakers.

Not that much wow though with the stacking systems though. It is a sensible choice though. Looking at what the original request was for, I would get the 9500. Plenty of wow, a CD as standard, a good radio and amplifier and as compact as any 'wow' B&O! Readily available, uses the modern remotes and even has powerlink sockets. Will also work with modern TVs.

The 8000 and 6000 systems all need quite radical servicing these days and the 6000 tends to burn out one channel in my experience. I agree it is very sweet sounding but never had a fully working one when first bought!

Having owned full Beosystems 5000, 6000 and 8000, I can see the merits in all of them. I've got to say though that setting aside the space consideration, there's nothing that can hold a candle to the 8000 set up. B&O set out to make a high performance no-limits system, and in my opinion they achieved it. The 5000 amp is nice enough, and the stacking system looks great and is no bigger footprint-wise than a 12 inch LP, so if space is your bottom line and you want passive speakers then this might be the best option. The 6000 amp sounds lovely, and the rest of the set up is similar to the 8000 in terms of record player and tape deck (plus size). Which leaves us then with the 8000 amp - which is simply the best of the bunch!

I take the points about space and the fact that most of the ones you can pick up now will need expensive repairs. There's a reason for that, and that is that owning the flagship product is a labour of love, but most owners of good 8000 systems won't part with them, so there's slim pickings for anyone who wants to join the club. Look at it this way: B&O's flagship 80s product was never going to be bought and used by people with small houses, partly because 150w p/c is too much for a tiny room, and partly because it wouldn't fit through the door. If you want one (like I did) then you should get one, and don't accept second best as nothing touches the 8000 system for performance, or more importantly in my opinion, for looks :)

Looks great in your room :)

Hey John,

What a lovely room, nice victorian? space and great outlook by the looks of it..... and the 8000 set up looks fantastic! Always looks best laid out like that with all 3 pieces .....

Great photo...

Laurence.

Thanks guys :)

Laurence - correct. It's a Victorian mansion, and sadly I only have a small part of it! Nice big living space though for my 8000 system!

When you have the three components set out in a line, I'm not sure any other system can look so good.

True defender of the Beolab 8000 system I would say. What do you do with a CDX? In line as well?

Space wise this is my Beosystem 6500. Currently Bm,CD,Cord 6500 and Cord5500 with white S80.2.

For Beolink around the house and the future it beats the Beolab 8000 system. Sound is a little less but not much. Space is the winner. If it was white edition it would be a toss but it is still a toss as I like them both design wise. Otherwise I would not had bought it.

Here we have my Attyca II stand with rosewood BM6000 and Beocord 8000 wich fits like a glove. Picture was taken before I moved the Beovox and Beosystem 6500 to the "office".

Here we have my Beomaster 8000 and Beogram 8002 on my SC60 stand. The BM8000 is to wide for CDX or Beocord 9000 to be placed next to it. Ok I do need a SC80 stand but they are rare even in Denmark.

Here is the BM8000 and Beogram 8002 on the Attyca II. 3 is a crowd.

The picture was taken in february when I moved last time. I'm not a huge fan of Pink Floyd but the 180 gram version of Dark side of the moon sounded great through the Beovox M150 speakers on volume 5.0!

Dillen went through BM8000 and BG8002 so it was safe.

White Beosystem 6000. BM6000, BG6006 and BC6000 with the CDX in the front on SC60.

Yes I did have space problems but those days are gone and when I see the pictures I do wonder how I managed to have it all in that single room.

So that was a few pictures from real life of B&O and space. That was systems what about Beovox? or Beolab?

Beovox S120 in the back and S80.2 in the front. I had the option for both pairs and could not say no. I have been using them as speaker pair 1 and 2 which was a great sounding combo with the BM6000. Highly recommended. I have tried CX100's with the BM8000 as second speaker pair and that ruled as well.

Friedmett:

True defender of the Beolab 8000 system I would say. What do you do with a CDX? In line as well?

I have my CDX in the right-hand side of my sideboard. I slide the door over to the left to cover the drawers up, and it exposes the CDX on a shelf plus the CD collection underneath. Looks great :)