I recently aquired two pairs of penta towers. Have two hooked up to a receiver. The other pair one amp clips. Thus sitting idle. Thinking of fixing amp in speaker. Love the sound of working pair. Looking for a beomaster and link. Can four pentas be hooked up using beolink input? Seems most beomasters have only two active connections. Any thoughts on 5000-7000 components and if so other than ebay is there a good source to purchase. I have previously used an a/d/s system from the mid to late eighties and would like to upgrade. I am not interested in shelling out for current product. I am happy not connecting to home theater. Also I would love a repair reco for clipping speaker if not too expensive. I am located just outside of nyc

Yes, you can use 4 speakers with only 2 active connections.
Each powerlink connector carries both left and right channels. You will need one powerlink cable with a powerlink splitter. (Available in any B&O store)

I don't think the beomaster 5000 and 5500 have powerlink connectors yet, so in your case the 6500 to 7000  or even a beocenter 9500 are perfect.

Sorry, not from NY, so I cannot recommend you a repair service, but you can always ask your local B&O store for a quote for repairs.
Some B&O dealers might have some older system for sale. There is always ebay and craigslist. 

Thank you for info.  Any quick thoughts on 6500-9500?  Failures - successes? Would start with master, link and cd then add turntable later.   

Since I got my Beosystem 6500 in march 2009 I've been using it pretty much every day.

I got Beomaster, Beocord and Beogram CD 6500. Found a Beocord 5500 for cheap but 100% perfect order so its a second Beocord.

The age which is '89-'91 from the time it came out. First with MCP 6500 and then Beolink 7000.

Not much are yet to go wrong. The Beomaster 6500 is very user friendly. Integration is still very good. Get a 1611 converter (For ML use) and you can go with MCL or Masterlink of choice. Remotes to be used: Beolink 1000, Beo4, MCP6500, Beolink 7000 and Beolink 5000.

You can use 2 pairs of passive speakers or 1 pair of Beolabs as it has 2 powerlink options. I did not know about the splitter option so thanks.

B&O wireless does not work with Beosystem 6500 but any new Beovisions can be linked.

As it can be stacked the space used is not much.

My system is working with the MCL 2047 kits and linked with a 1611 converter. I only have passive Beovox's but active speakers can be connected in link rooms(if you have active kits in the link system) and of cource the main system + Beovisions with powerlinks.

The sound is pretty good. Not that much far from my Beomaster 8000. Yes its true!

Failures is best to find if you do a search here on Beoworld and see what comes up.

My system was listed as having defect speaker outputs. That brought the auction price down and I got it fairly cheap. It came with the classic Timer off message. Hold the right front side and push on the left. The Beomaster now opens speaker output pair number 1. Its been playing since I got it.

The 6500 and 7000 systems are basically very similar in all aspects.
Most of these systems are usually still in working order and if you start with a beomaster you can build it into a full system at your own pace.
I bought my 7000 system second hand on ebay 2 or 3 years ago (from 4 different vendors) and all worked without any problems.
This year I did have the belts on the tapedeck changed and the record deck and cd player calibrated ....Not that there was anything wrong with them. 

The 9500 is an all-in-one system amp/receiver/tape/cd player ... and is therefore more prone to defects.

All of these system can be repaired without any problems.

Any thoughts on the beosystem 4500 as compared to 6500.  Do either system have significant limitations in respect to each other.  Combatibilities with periferals etc. the beo link issue confuses me a bit.  Converters are needed (Freidmett).  What should I be on the lookout for.

Limits compared?

The Beomaster 6500 is rated 2*110 watts 8 ohm.

The Beomaster 4500 is rated 2*55 watts 8 ohm.

Nobody really belives that the Beomaster 6500 rates that high in output power but that whats B&O states.

Maybe the amp is better built in the 4500? People here don't rate the amps in 5500,6500 and 7000 as anything special. 5000 is the best they say.

Beomaster 4500 takes more space if you want all 4 units.

You can hang the Beomaster 4500 on a wall.

You can get Beosystem 6500,7000 in white!

Both systems have the 2 way conncetion for Beolink 5000/7000

Beolink:

It depends of what you would like to link to.

You can do MCL which both 6500 and 4500 has built in. Its a choice of active or passive speakers + is there any Beovisions to link to.

With MCL you find the Xtra speaker kits active or passive. With Beovisions its the Xtra tvkit.

My setup is the 6500 aux goes to the Beovision AV9000 in one room. That takes a 1611 converter so the 7 pin aux cable fits with the ML of the AV9000.

The seocond passive speaker pair goes with MCL cable to the link rooms and I got a Beovision LX5500 in the bedroom so there will be a Xtra tvkit on the MCL cable and Xtra passive boxes in the other rooms.

You can't go wrong with either Beosystem. If you like the Beosystem 4500 design better make some room. I'm sure its loud enough anyway.

Major difference between the two is the space they take up.
The 4500 is quite big and very specific in design (Only looks good when installed in one line and hung up on a wall imo...)
The 6500/7000 however is stackable or more easy to place.

I find that both sound very similar (The 5000 sounds pretty much the same as the 6500/7000... they are not that different)
And yes I have a beosystem 5000! And I am very hard pushed to hear any difference in sound quality... However the only place I would hear a difference is in the phono input which is better on the 5000.

If you use beolab speakers (Penta or other) the amps are bypassed anyways so there power is not an issue as the amps in the speakers are used.
If you want to use regular (passive) speakers or build a Master command link to add more speakers in different rooms, the 6500/7000 with the bigger amp is a really good choice.

Connection-wise they are fairly similar. 

The beolink is mainly to connect different B&O items together.. like B&O tv's , computer to play mp3's etc ...  in order to control it all with one remote, and is very dependant on your setup and what you plan to do and add to your system... 

As you have a 5000 system is there any drawback using active pentas.  I believe there is no power link (as was reported before in this discussion.)  Does this make a difference. Display on speaker etc.  They are hooked up to an a/d/s amp now with their amps powered on.  Would they operate in the same way? Would you suggest an mcl2 kit for this system. I may want to add two rooms (pair of speakers in each.) Can you bridge a power amp (B&O?)  to this system for passive additional speakers.

I may be leaning towards a 5000 system as there seems to be more "for sale" activity and a nicer price.  If it can meet my needs.  For right now I am happy to run my home theater with a theatre in a box system seperate from this system and appropriate for blu ray and non B&O TVs.

Also you mentioned hook up to computer for mp3 listening.  How is this done.  Would I need any converter or would I simply hook computer through tape2 input.  Any thoughts on Ipod connection vs. computer connection.  The Apple downloads I know are downloaded as smaller files.  How do you deal with this new technology with older components? I hear that there is a computer program that tricks the computer and downloads music as a less compressed file for better reproduction?

you have all been very helpful to me.  As a novice, this forum is a great help.  I am eager to get started and appreciate all your help with my many simple, i'm sure annoying, questions.

There are some draw-backs using the 5000 system with active speakers like the penta's.
The beomaster will basically replace the amp you use now. 

The 5000 series has never been designed for active speakers and has no powerlink or speakerlink outputs.
You can however connect your penta's through the line-out plugs of the amp.
Or connecting them through the 3pin speaker connections should work as well
There have been several models of the penta's and you should check which connections they have (You can check on this website)

In all cases the display on the pentas will likely not work. 

Yes you can extend the number of speakers with an MCL82 link. (NOT MCL2!!!) The commands of MCL82 are not compatible with the later MCL2.
You will need an white box with an ir-receiver in each room. All of them connected to the Speaker2 plugs of the Beomaster 5000.

The amp in your beomaster will power these boxes and also power the passive speakers connected to them...works a treat.... 

I still suggest you still into the later 6500 series as they make it easy to hook up your penta's with either powerlink or speakerlink.... 

Yes there are a lot of 5000 series systems being offered out there, hence the low prices.  Do not forget the 5000 series also requires its own type of remote (Only MCP5000 or terminal 5000) and are often hard to find in working condition. (especially on ebay!!!)

FYI : I have been planning to sell my full beosystem5000 for sale, fully reconditioned and upgraded, also 1xMC82 extra room  kit and a terminal5000 remote.

For Ipod : there is a simple cable you can buy. Works ok. Not my favourite way to listen to music. 
There is also ways to modify an existing ipod dock so you can control it with the beomasters remote (http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/ipod.htm)

For connection your computer : either a headphone plug to tape2 input cable (easy and cheap)
Or if you play music from computer alot and want a bit more control  http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/beopc.htm 
It's a mix of a special cable with special software.
I use a dedicated mac mini with itunes and I can easily flip playlists and skip songs etc. with this setup.

Personally the computer solution is better (I don't use an ipod that much) as it holds all my music (now over 200 GB) in lossless format.
Later you can add an extra usb dac to that setup in order to get the best digital sound available..... and that will rock those Penta's ;-)

All itunes files are compressed (MP3 codec) and some detail has been lost. What detail is lost cannot be recovered.
Though itunes do now offer higher quality downloads, the rule is simple : the better the quality, the larger the file will be. Best is to rip in a lossless type of file which will give you full cd quality. 

Any thoughts on 5500 series the only reason I ask is that it was mentioned along with the Beocenter 9000 in the Penta 1 user guide.  I realize there is less power than 6500 and the mcp is still an issue.  I believe the link 1000 works though. Do B & O poweramps ever come up.  mcl2 I beleive for this one.

The 5500 is a very close predecessor to the 6500 with the added benefit of having many more inputs (they are mirrored in DIN & RCA/phono). Don't read too much into the output specifications as B&O basically used a different rating system when the 6500 was released and there really isn't much to choose between them. It doesn't have powerlink connections though it has speakerlink (which was the predecessor to powerlink) so isn't a straightforward connection to MK3 penta's, you would need a powerlink/speakerlink converter cable. MK 1 penta's have speakerlink connections, MK 2's have both speakerlink & powerlink with the MK3's having powerlink only.

Yes a 5500 will work with a Beolink 1000 (but NOT a Beolink 5000) as will the 6500/7000 but you really want a MK1 or 2 version (remote) as these have the reset button which is necessary to cancel the "loudness" function (in the absence of a MCP) if you activate it. I personally think it is a better amp than the 6500/7000 but that's just my opinion although there are likely to one or 2 issues creeping in due to age.

Chris.

The 5500 is very similar to the 5000 series. 
Only basic difference being the newer remote control protocol (allowing the use of not only the MCP5500 panel but also the later beolink 1000) and use of the (then newer) MCL2 for link rooms.  

The power is irrelevent as your main speakers (penta's) have their own amps. Off course all the beomasters are more than able to power several link rooms easily. 

What do you mean with B&O poweramps? 

cooldude:

What do you mean with B&O poweramps? 

Lab 150/200s??

I think the referrence is to the Beolink Passive or MCL2P?

Just picked up beomaster 5500 w/mcp may not work and a 1000.  Not sure if it has reset button.  May have to pick up a later edition.

Any thought on record decks.  I believe 5000-7000 have same dimensions for stacking. Are there any significant benifits to any of these decks and/or their respective cartridges.  My record collection is not huge but there are alot of older out-of print options out there.

Also, any recomendations (sources) for cables component connections and speaker (My active pentas came with (4) 6" cables - black end reads either b&o left or right and has nine holes other grey side has one rca and one four din plug how do you attach to speaker wire and a four din plug to receiver - am I missing something.  Not sure what I will get with the receiver.

Need an ipod cable (best source).  Later, I will most likely go with rebuilt dock unless there is a cheaper solution to the english model "cool dude" sited.

What about mcl2 would like to pick one up but don't want to limit options.  Is there a best approach.  I will have one set of the penta 1's directly connected to receiver.  May hook up the other set of pentas in another room.  That is if I am able to convince my wife they are as beautiful as I think they are.  If not, one room in wall/ceiling and one room smaller speakers maybe a smaller active set to offset receiver wattage limitations.

The Mk 1 & 2 Beolink 1000's were the early versions - it is the Mk3's & onwards which lack the reset button.

The Beomaster 5500 has an inbuilt RIAA pre-amp so you want a record deck which lacks this. The Beogram 5000 radial tracking deck & its derivatives (2000 & 1800 etc...) will stack & work perfectly well & will match cosmetically. The 5000 is the most refined in this series. For a tengential tracking Beogram you are limited to the 5005 & 5500 (they are identical in all but name) for a correct cosmetic match, the 6500 & 7000 won't match & also have inbuilt RIAA which would need disconnecting - oh and they tend to cost a whole lot more than the aforementioned decks.

For cables I would look no further than one of Beoworlds sponsors - Steve at Sounds heavenly - his link is at the foot of the page. Highly recommended, excellent quality and guaranteed to supply the correct cables.

Chris..

adamwardell:

Just picked up beomaster 5500 w/mcp may not work and a 1000.  Not sure if it has reset button.  May have to pick up a later edition.

Any thought on record decks.  I believe 5000-7000 have same dimensions for stacking. Are there any significant benifits to any of these decks and/or their respective cartridges.  My record collection is not huge but there are alot of older out-of print options out there.

Also, any recomendations (sources) for cables component connections and speaker (My active pentas came with (4) 6" cables - black end reads either b&o left or right and has nine holes other grey side has one rca and one four din plug how do you attach to speaker wire and a four din plug to receiver - am I missing something.  Not sure what I will get with the receiver.

Need an ipod cable (best source).  Later, I will most likely go with rebuilt dock unless there is a cheaper solution to the english model "cool dude" sited.

What about mcl2 would like to pick one up but don't want to limit options.  Is there a best approach.  I will have one set of the penta 1's directly connected to receiver.  May hook up the other set of pentas in another room.  That is if I am able to convince my wife they are as beautiful as I think they are.  If not, one room in wall/ceiling and one room smaller speakers maybe a smaller active set to offset receiver wattage limitations.

Congratulations on getting a B&O classic  ;)

Any BL1000 should work with it. If the MCP is working use it for initial setup as it is the easiest way.

Record decks beogram 5000,5005 and 5500 all match the design of your beomaster. You'll find more info and specs for these on the beoworld website. All of these work with the B&O mmc range of cartridges. Ranging from mmc5 to mmc1. 
Most will prefer the sound of the MMC2 cartridges. Non of these cartridges are in production and you'll have to source either secondhand originals or new models from Soundsmith. Old ones can be fixed to new standard. Non of these options are cheap.

For the correct wires for your Penta's. Either get them from your B&O store or from 'Sounds Heavenly'  (sponsor of this site)
Both will get you the correct cables and they are available in different sizes. 
(hard to tell as I don't see what wire you have) 4pin din should plug in the speaker1 plugs of your beomaster the other side in your penta's. 

Ipod cables are easy to find on ebay etc. standard headphone plug (for ipod) to din plugs (going into line input tape2 of your beomaster.) 
Ridax's solution works great as well and will give you basic control of your ipod through the BL1000 remote.

The penta's connected directly will have little influence to your receiver, leaving more than enough power for mcl setup. Enough for a couple of rooms with passive speakers anyways... don't worry. The receiver powers 4 cx100 speakers without any problem in my MCL.

adamwardell:

Any thought on record decks.  I believe 5000-7000 have same dimensions for stacking. Are there any significant benifits to any of these decks and/or their respective cartridges.

Adam,

Welcome to BeoWorld.

I may have a BG5500 I would be willing to let go of in the states that would match your new BM. If you have an interest, I could evaluate it and let you know.

Regards,

please let me know

adamwardell:

please let me know

No problem.

I will pull it tonight and test it for you.

cooldude:

Ipod cables are easy to find on ebay etc. standard headphone plug (for ipod) to din plugs (going into line input tape2 of your beomaster.)

This is actually even easier for BM5500 - it has RCA connectors in parallel with the tape2 DIN, so a similar cable you would use for any amp will do.

But since the beovirus seems to have caught, it may be more futureproof to get the DIN cable anyway as it will then fit just about any B&O receiver And then you could use tape1 input as well which is easier to select with the BL1000.

Re: iPod and some of the other posts...

Are you a PC or Mac guy?

Do you have a wireless network?

Which iPod(s) do you have?

I have a PC. Have wireless modem (verizon fios) and computer has wireless capabilities.  Not using wireless with anything right now. May hook up my printer wirelessly.  I have a Ipod 32G Classic has video - about 1 year old.

adamwardell:

I have a PC. Have wireless modem (verizon fios) and computer has wireless capabilities.  Not using wireless with anything right now. May hook up my printer wirelessly.  I have a Ipod 32G Classic has video - about 1 year old.

OK. Well stick with what the others have already stated, preferably a 5 pin DIN to minijack cable...

The direction I was headed with my questions: get the cable, but also try an Apple Airport Express (using the cable). You would jack the AE into your new BM, and control your iTunes library from an Apple Touch iPod w/ the free Remote.app!

Perhaps something to chew on!