BeoWorld recommends Sound-Smith. This is a US-based company and deals mail order through the Internet. They obtained official recognition from Bang & Olufsen in 2003 to manufacture replacement B&O combined styli/cartridges..
See above, visit their website to see compositable cartridges
The important thing to remember here is that the output from a magnetic record player cartridge is at a lower level than that of other sources and is also skewed in such a way that it would sound very tinny if played directly.
Therefore a small pre-amplifier is required which will amplify and equalise the signal. This is known as an RIAA.
The RIAA is only required in one location. Modern B&O systems do not have one in the main system so one will be required in the BeoGram or fitted externally. The BeoGram 3500, BeoGram 4500, BeoGram 6500 and BeoGram 7000 all have RIAAs fitted as standard.
Bang and Olufsen produced an excellent wall bracket for their Beogram record players in the 1980’s that seemed to disappear under the turntable, leaving the Beogram seemingly suspended in mid air. Sadly, these are no longer in production and they are now very rare.
Remove the platter, cartridge and the arm counterweight so that there is nothing of weight around. You now need to remove the lid. There are 6 screws on most radial BeoGrams that this problem affects. Three hold the lid onto the frame and three hold the torsion spring for the lid. Try to undo the ones holding the lid on as replacing those with the torsion spring is frustrating to say the least.
With the lid off, you now need to invert the deck – you will need to support the deck so the arm is not damaged. You can then remove the base which is held on with two captive screws. Loosen these – they do not need to be fully removed – and you can release the base.
You can then see the deck automatic mechanism – see the attached picture. The brass pin is arrowed. This needs to be lubricated – sewing machine oil is the best. However you will need to free this first! The amount of effort will vary but try small and work up! Penetrating oil may be required and some owners have had to disassemble the whole mechanism and use pliers to free the pin!
All are agreed that sewing machine oil will be required to ensure long service following reassembly. Only use a little though or you will attract dirt.
You need to upgrade the Software to Version 1.2 in order to rectify this problem.
This upgrade available from your nearest Bang & Olufsen dealer.
B&O recognise the problem and came up with a particularly high tech approach.. Special feet! Part number 3103347 !!
Alternatively cut two squash balls in half and use them as feet. The hum is amplified by the surface the unit sits on and de-coupling it helps – honestly!!
Clearly there will still be some hum but it does reduce a lot.
The DC supply voltage has not stabilised before the signal is sent to the speakers.
There is a service kit available if this bothers you though, and the later BeoSounds actually have a longer delay before the signal is sent so make no noise!
The main Printed Circuit Board expands when hot and contracts when cool.
Tightening the retaining screw will fix the problem, but if you are not confident with electronic products we would of course advise taking it to your local Bang & Olufsen Service Centre!
This is a problem with the power supply.
This needs to be repaired, please contact your nearest Bang & Olufsen Dealer.
Often this is because the SD card has been used in another device like a camera.
The card needs to have all hidden files deleted. The BS2 will not do this through simple formatting, so you will need to use a separate card reader.
There could be a very slight leak current in the older chargers.
Some tracks can be missed on a BeoSound 2 Personal Mp3 player when playing an SD card recorded on a BeoSound 4. Newer software on the BeoSound 4 should resolve this.
The circuit controlling the movement of the CD carriage has a built-in safety function which protects your fingers, etc. from being hit by the fast moving carriage.
This circuit depends on light/reflections, and works via opto-coupling devices built into the two small ‘pegs’ . When the glass door is opened, or if something interrupts the light circuit, the carriage slows down in speed, and finally comes to a halt. Over time dust may build up and thus reduce the light emitted to and from the opto-coupling devices.
Dust particles on the inside of the glass door may also cause extraordinary reflections which may be interpreted by the safety function in a wrong way. So, in order to prevent malfunction of the safety circuit, we recommend that you wipe dust off the two pegs on a regular basis. Likewise, when cleaning the surfaces of the BeoSound 9000, remember also to clean the inner surface of the glass door.
The question that is commonly asked when describing a BeoSound Ouverture or BeoSound 3000 is “Does it have a Large or Small Clamper?”
Most peoples reaction is “What on earth does that mean?” – so here is a quick guide to how to tell.
Basically, the clamper holds the CD in place – and in an effort to make it more stylish when in use, Bang & Olufsen decided to facelift the Ouverture and 3000 in 2001 by making the clamper larger, with a new Matt Grey finish as opposed to the previously used Milled Aluminium effect.
This almost completely obscured the CD when it was spinning, giving a very motionless and clean ‘feel’ to the unit. However, some people prefer the small clamper as they can see their CD playing. Its all down to personal choice, but obviously if you are looking to buy as new a model as possible – you ought to be looking for a large clapmer version.
We hope this clears the question up!
