Cartridge Type: MMC4

Posted on by

BeoGram 3000 (1985)

BeoGram 3000 (1985)

Beogram 3000 was a specially designed tangential record deck with a lightweight tone arm featuring the patented suspension system – Optimum Pivot Point – which prevented internal vibrations from interfering with sound reproductions.

Beogram 3000 was a specially designed tangential record deck with a lightweight tone arm featuring the patented suspension system – Optimum Pivot Point – which prevented internal vibrations from interfering with sound reproductions.

Beogram 3000 had an MMC 4 pick up for optimum sound and minimal record wear. A record sensor automatically record size and with it, the correct speed. The platter reduces static electricity and thereby dust in the grooves, and the pendulum suspension made Beogram 3000 ‘danceproof’. The search system worked both forwards and backwards and the new Active Light system was all automatic, giving you light when you needed it, for searching and changing your records etc.. A repeat function allowed you to play the same record up to 7 times in a row.

Beogram 3000 was designed to be used within Beosystem 3000. Beogram 3000 does not have a built in RIAA amplifier and relies on this being in the receiver used with it. Beomaster 3000 – which this deck was designed to work with – has the RIAA built in as do almost every receiver before this time, including the Beomaster 8000. Later equipment such as the Beomaster 7000 and Beomaster 3500 and Beomaster 4500 transferred the RIAA to the record player as this allowed a longer cable to be fitted to the record player and gave better siting options.

Posted on by

BeoGram 3300

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 3300

It’s better both for your records and for sound quality to play a record the way the master was made – in a straight line from the edge to the centre. This tangential arm record player did just that, giving a far more precise reading of the signals in the groove. The MMC4 cartridge made a vital contribution too; it was feather-weight, with a stylus pressure of only 1,2 grams, giving outstanding sound quality but minimising wear and tear on your records.

There’s more protection too – invaluable for all-night parties. The electronically controlled tangential arm was suspended so that it isolated mechanical vibrations from the cartridge. The suspension chassis was also thoroughly engineered to neutralise vibrations. So keep on dancing – the record player can take it! Beogram 3300 was part of Beosystem 3300 although may be used as a stand-alone item.

One of many tangential decks all utilising the same basic design, the 3300 was noticeable mainly for its grey finish and slightly lurid graphics. Very much a child of the 80s, it was replaced by the 3500 and 4500.

Posted on by

BeoGram 2000 (1983)

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 2000 1983

This radial-tracking record deck had a lightweight turntable (only 400g) to minimise torque at starting. The automatic cueing system was also very fast-acting, so it was only a matter of a few seconds between touching the PLAY control and hearing the music.

The tone arm had built-in anti-skating and carried the MMC 4 pickup, ensuring accurate tracking and excellent sound quality. Normal PLAY and STOP functions were entirely automatic and could be operated with the lid closed; manual buttons for playing non-standard discs were located on the deck plate. In addition to automating the setting of correct speed and cueing position for each record, the Beogram’s built-in microcomputer allowed a REPEAT function, which could be programmed for up to 7 plays of the same record.

Drive was provided by a tacho-controlled DC motor via a flat rubber belt, so turntable speed was always accurate and could not be affected by fluctuations in the mains supply.

When used with Beomaster 2000, an electronic data-link allowed Beogram 2000 to be operated by the Beomaster’s controls. Beogram 2000 could also be made up as part of the Beosystem 2000, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

Posted on by

BeoCenter 7007

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 7007

Beocenter 7007 (also known as Beosystem 7007)

Top quality sound and maximum listening comfort were the main features of this integrated hi-fi system. Records, radio, cassette tapes and a 2 x 40 watts RMS stereo amplifier could all be controlled from anywhere in the room using the slim remote handset. Without moving more than a finger you could select any sound source, adjust volume level, fast wind the tape and even make recordings. This supreme ease of operation was made possible by microcomputer technology. In addition, there were two user-programmable microcomputers which allowed you to make unattended recordings at any time within a 24-hour period, or to play any sound source automatically at a pre-selected time – day after day, if you wished.

A further advantage was easy access to cassette recordings: just key in the appropriate counter reading (address) and the cassette would fast wind to the required passage of music. Ferric, chrome or metal tapes could all be used and Dolby B Noise Reduction was included to ensure clean, hiss-free recordings.

The automatic record deck had an ultra-lightweight arm carrying the MMC 4 pickup cartridge. The radio section covered Long, Medium and FM bands with facilities for pre-setting 6 favourite stations.

The recommended speakers were the Beovox S55 . Speaker pedestals or the SC70/ SC77 hi-fi cabinet could be added optionally if required.

Posted on by

BeoGram 5005

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 5005

This good-looking tangential record player had a unique tone arm suspension system among its many outstanding features. Optimum Pivot Point (OPP) was designed by Bang & Olufsen to give you the most faithful possible sound reproduction. The pendulum suspension isolated all vibration at the back of the tone arm so that the sensitive stylus tip was completely unaffected. It also had electronic Servo-drive and was fitted with the MMC 4 cartridge. The stylus pressure was 1,2g.

Facilities: search function – backwards and forwards; repeat playing of records; Datalink for connection to Beosystems.

This was the first of the lightweight tangential decks which were to become the mainstay of the Beogram range. The expensive tangential drive system of the 8000 was dropped and even the tangential arm mechanism was considerably simplified. They did however look the part and allowed far more control using a remote than the earlier radial 5000. Many owners of Beomaster 5000s ‘upgraded’ their systems with this deck but would miss the overhead light built into the lid of the 5000 and, dare one say it, possibly lose some sound quality.

Posted on by

BeoGram 5500

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 5500

If you wanted to treasure your record collection, you couldn’t do it better than with Beogram 5500.

The electronically-controlled tangential arm played the record at the exact angle that the original master was cut. This allowed the ultra-sensitive MMC 4 pick-up to give the most precise possible reading of the signals in the groove. And with a stylus pressure of only 1,2g, this extraordinarily gentle touch added years to the life of your precious records.

Beogram 5500 was a tough customer though; dancing feet wouldn’t shake it up, courtesy of the special chassis suspension and short, rigid tone arm. You also could enjoy features such as the automatic registration of record size and speed; plus full track search and record repeat facilities, via the Master Control Panel.

Beogram 5500 was aesthetically balanced to match the rest of the components within Beosystem 5500 and could be controlled with the rest of the system through Master Control Panel 5500.

The 5500 was essentially exactly the same as the 5005 but re-badged to match the Beosystem 5500. As befitted what was regarded at this time as the midrange system, it sported an MMC4 cartridge.

Posted on by

BeoGram 8500

To complement Beocenter 8500, a dedicated record player – Beogram 8500 – was designed specifically for this particular hi-fi centre.

The technical aspects of Beogram 8500 were identical to Beogram 9500; it was only the finish that was different which was coloured soft grey to complement the rest of the system.

Posted on by

BeoGram TX2

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram TX2

This tangential record player was a classic example of Bang & Olufsen’s attention to detail. It had automatic registration of record size and speed, and seven repeat functions. The turntable was based on Beogram 5005.

There was also the benefit of Bang & Olufsen’s patented chassis suspension and special tone arm design, which prevented vibrations from reaching the cartridge during play thus enhancing your pleasure and protecting your records.

The US TX2 had a 110V transformer but had no switching for other electrical voltages. As a comparison, most European models had an inbuilt transformer to allow for switching between other voltages.

Posted on by

BeoGram RX2

Bang & Olufsen Beogram RX2

This fully-featured radial record player brought an extra dimension to all kinds of music systems.

It was ideal for those who love partying, with automatic anti-skating to prevent distortion, and Bang & Olufsen’s special chassis suspension which made the record player virtually ‘dance-proof’.

There was also automatic registration of record size and speed. Fine quality sound reproduction was provided by the lightweight tone-arm.

This deck was the last of the B&O radial tracking decks and was closely related to the excellent Beogram 5000. This is an excellent choice as a source for vinyl in a modern system requiring very little in the way of set up yet offering good audio performance.