I've always wanted to own a Beolab/Beomaster 5000 system - goes back to my childhood in the late 60s when my father owned one.
Last year I surfed the net and came across Classic Audio in Struer, run by Frede Kristensen. I was later to find out that he's worked 25 years for B&O. He is a committed Beolab 5000 enthusiast, considering it one of the finest amplifiers made, and he has dedicated himself to restoring older units to "as new" condition.
He refurbishes the entire set - amplifier, tuner, Beovox 5000 and Beovox 2500 tweeters - should you want that.
I ordered a system from him last year.
He assembles new units using components from as many as three older sets. Once he has a good start-out platform, he then checks every single component, exchanging those who are not up to par. He also restores the fascia, dials, etc. (To the point of being able to have new fascia silk printed, when required).
Once Frede is through assembling a unit, he puts it through 500 hours of tests and monitoring, before a final certification test where all components and output are calibrated to the initial factory specifications. During the rebuild process I could keep tabs on progress by accessing a web-page established for my specific unit, where test results, stages in the rebuild, etc., were documented.
I picked up my Beolab 5000 and Beomaster 5000 just after Easter. Frede Kristensen appreciates it if you are able to make a personal pick-up, though he will ship. Talk about B&O enthusiast's Nirvana. His workshop and listening room give you the impression you are dealing with a Swiss watchmaker working on Patek Philippes.
When I entered his listening room, he had my system connected to Beovox 5000/2500 loudspeakers, and I was struck by the natural sound, perfectly weighted. I supplied him with one of my reference CDs, and had to admit that my initial plan of not using the loudspeaker set created for the system had to be rethought.
In a thread in the previous forum Peter indicated that the Beolab 5000 had an excellent bottom resolution to the sound. You're telling me! After listening to the unit at home I'm literally awestruck by the vocal sound from this amplifier. It has also made it painfully clear that my Beosystem 7000 amp needs to be recalibrated. The Beolab 5000 puts the 7000 to shame when connected to my speakers.
Frede showed me a plastic bag containing the hundreds of components he had replaced when calibrating the Beolab 5000 - components that did not measure properly. Even given that the 7000 is younger I'm sure it would get up to snuff with a similar refurbishment.
A McIntosh tube amp also got a run for its money by the Beolab 5000. I'm actually using the latter more now!
Frede Kristensen is in the process of refurbishing a dozen pairs of Beovox 2500 tweeters. He sends them off to have them professionally resprayed, with a new logo screen printed. Meanwhile he is restoring the small drivers, checking their parameters, preparing for final assembly. He'll do similar work with other B&O units, but has a penchant for the Beolab 5000/Beomaster 5000 set, with speakers.
It's always a pleasure to meet B&O enthusiasts, in this instance the pleasure is all mine whenever I switch on my completely as factory new system! And no, I do not get any kickbacks from Frede - just expressing the delight his dedication has brought into my life.
Here's a picture, shows the condition of the woodwork and fascia.
