Colour / Finish: Rosewood

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BeoCenter 1800

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 1800

Beocenter 1800 fulfilled hi-fi standards by a wide margin. The product was also way above the average in terms of ease and operation. Experience from Beomaster 1100 and Bang & Olufsen’s integrated gramophones were combined in the special space-saving unit, which on a specification level was on a par with many separates.

The FM section had automatic frequency control (AFC), four pre-set stations and light indicators. The amplifier’s power output was 2 x 22 watts RMS with less than 0,3% distortion at full power output.

The integrated gramophone was fully automatic. The user simply chose the size of the record and pressed a button – the machine did the rest. The pickup arm was of magnesium which was extremely light. This, together with the MMC 3000, a low-mass cartridge, made this one of the very few turntables on the marker that was capable of tracking warped records. The anti-skating device also worked automatically.

The pickup arm and the turntable mechanism had a special spring suspension which made the turntable shock and vibration resistant.

Records could be played with the dust lid closed, thus protecting both the turntable and the record collection from damaging dust particles. Beocenter 1800 had connections for tape recorder, two sets of stereo speakers and a pair of headphones.

When connected to a pair of Beovox Uni-Phase passive loudspeakers, it was known as Beosystem 1800.

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BeoCenter 1400

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 1400

The amplifier section of Beocenter 1400 offered qualities which were unusual for a combination product in this price-range. Frequency range was 20-30.000 Hz, with harmonic distortion of less than 0.5 % at maximum output. Power output was 2 x 20 watts RMS or 80 watts total music. The technical data of the FM section, like those of the amplifier fulfilled the DIN 45500 high-fidelity norms by a wide margin. A wide frequency range was obtained both on mono and stereo reception. The balanced light indicator was a simple but effective aid to accurate tuning. The automatic frequency control (AFC) facility allowed precision tuning.

Beocenter 1400 – “Each unto his own taste” – especially with music.

Receiving distant stations was no problem on Beocenter 1400 owing to the receiver’s high sensitivity (better than 1.8 uV IEC). The compact cassette section had its own operating facilities: ON/OFF switch and piano key push buttons for recording and play-back functions. You could switch between chromium dioxide and normal tapes. Recording level was controlled by a handy slider on a numerical scale and light indicators: Red or green light showed overloading or satisfactory recording level. Tape-heads were of super permalloy, an extremely durable material which ensures a long useful lifetime. Wow and flutter was less than ±0.28% (JIS norm).

Signal-to-noise ratio was better than 50 dB with chromium dioxide tapes. Bang & Olufsen placed emphasis on good station separation in the AM section (long and medium waves) without sacrificing sound quality. A slider control aided radio tuning. Beocenter 1400 had sockets for a record player, headphones and loudspeakers. An extra tape or cassette-recorder could also be connected. Beocenter 1400 utilised the (then) latest electronic components: Darlington transistors, field effect transistors, integrated circuits and ceramic filters.

When combined with Beovox 1702 loudspeakers and/or Beogram 1203, the system was known as Beosystem 1400.

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BeoGram 1902

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1902

Beogram 1902 was a newly developed (1979/80) fully automatic, hi-fi stereo record player with Electronic Servo Drive (ESD) which meant that you never had to adjust speed. The Beogram 1902 did that automatically. It was resistant to variations in the mains current.

All functions were chosen via the single rectangular operating panel; Beogram 1902 did the rest. It was resistant to vibrations and shock because it rotatory mechanism and pickup arm had an efficient spring suspension. The pickup was so light that even warped records could be tracked. In fact, the arm was so light and the pickup’s diamond stylus so highly polished that it would not audibly damage your record even if the arm was thrown against the grooves.

The cartridge was the MMC 4000 which had a naked elliptical stylus. Recommended stylus pressure was 1,0g and frequency range was 20 – 25000 Hz.

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BeoGram 1700

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1700

Beogram 1700 combined ease of operation and advanced technology in a simple, matter-of-fact way. To play a record, all you had to do was press ’33’ or ’45’ and let the Beogram do the rest. At the end of play the pickup arm returned to its resting position and the motor switched off.

The anti-skating device worked automatically. Another advantage of the simple, integrated design was immunity to external shock and vibrations. The electronic servo drive system ensured correct rotary speed at all time.

The low mass, low inertia pick-up arm with its plug-in MMC 20S cartridge made it virtually impossible to scratch records.

Beogram 1700 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 1700 or Beosystem 2600, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

This is quite possibly the best value Beogram made. It has excellent sound and vibration isolation, a very simple and lightweight arm, easy to use and understand controls and is elegant both in looks and operation.

Blindfold, the sound quality is quite frankly indistinguishable from the higher models and it is far more likely to work. Weak spots are few but record support would probably be the main issue. A felt mat suitably cut could well improve record support qualities.

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BeoGram 1600

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1600

Beogram 1600 was manufactured primarily for the US and French markets; therefore in the overall scheme of things, there weren’t many of these around.  A fairly basic machine, Beogram 1600 was designed for use within the Beomaster 1600 and Beocord 1600 system when it complemented these other products nicely.  It fitted with the MMC 20E combined cartridge/stylus.

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BeoGram 1500 (1967)

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1500

Beogram 1500 is the acclaimed Beogram 1000 3-speed stereo record player equipped with a built-in stereo output amplifier delivering 2 x 8 watts of audio output. The Beogram 1500 has no built-in loudspeakers but may be se with external speakers e.g. the Beovox 800 or the Beovox 1000.

The Beogram 1500 has jacks for radio and for tape-recorder – the Beocord 1500 de Luxe would be particularly suitable. If you use the Beogram 1500 in connection with an FM tuner e.g. the Beomaster 5000, you have a small but complete hi-fi system.

The Beogram 1500 has separate adjustment knobs for volume (with built-in balance adjustment), bass and treble. Pushbutton panel for control of on/off, tape recorder, radio, and gramophone. All these functions are conventionally placed on the top of the instrument. Built-in voltage selector for switching between 110, 130, 220 and 240 volts AC. The Beogram 1500 is very elegantly designed and has a transparent dust cover

In the real world, this is a Beogram 1000 with a rather nice 8W per channel amplifier attached. There are two types with the later ones using the same amplifier as the very upmarket Beocord 2400 reel to reel deck. Surprisingly good though the isolation of the deck was no better.

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BeoGram 1202

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1202

The Beogram 1202, although looking very similar to the earlier Beogram 1200, was an entirely new record deck and was far more sophisticated than the earlier model. It continued with the multi-peg system of record support – possibly the decks greatest weakness – and also lacked the hinged lid of the Beogram 3000 to which it was otherwise practically identical. This is the 1200 type deck to own!

The operating system was simplified from the 1200 though the same arm and motor were used. The suspension was however far better – imagine this deck as a Beogram 3000 with a silly platter and a less useful lid and you will not be far wrong. It is however the best of the ‘peg platter’ decks. Very collectible.

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BeoGram 1200

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1200

Beogram 1200 – Types 5213, 5214, 5216, 5217 – was Bang & Olufsen’s first ‘designer’ system. The design ‘kinship’ which emphasised the interdependence between B&O’s various products, became a characteristic of B&O for many years. Beosystem 1200 was one of the first products selected by the Museum of Modern Art for the museum’s permanent collection (not exhibition) in 1972. The system components were designed by Jacob Jensen.

In 1969 the Danish Society of Industrial Design awarded Bang & Olufsen and Jacob Jensen the ID prize for the Beomaster 1200 radio/amplifier, Beogram 1200 turntable and Beocord 1200 cassette recorder for unusually beautiful and user friendly design. The jury emphasised in particular the Beomaster 1200 receiver which pointed in a new direction for the design of radios.

In 1972 the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) chose seven Bang & Olufsen products designed by Jacob Jensen to be included in their Design Collection as representing excellent examples of the Museum’s criteria for quality and historical importance; design, in fact, which had influenced the twentieth century. Beogram 1200 was one of those seven products.

The 1200 series represented the logical continuation of the line of development and design which put B&O at the forefront of manufacturers of entertainment electronics.

From an audio point of view, this was an advance in some ways – isolation from vibration was slightly better though still not up to the later decks. The peg support for the records was however not so clever as the excellent mat of the 1000 and 1800 offered far better cushioning. It did however look wonderful. Close inspection of the studs reveal that the inner studs are slightly shorter than the outer ones. They do remove for cleaning so do make sure you put them in the right places!!

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BeoGram 1102

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1102

Beogram 1102 was a fully automatic, hi-fi stereo record player with electronic servo-drive and high specification level. Operation was easy and straightforward. All functions were controlled by pressing the rectangular operating panel and if dissatisfied with the pitch of the record, speed could be adjusted by depressing the panel and rotating the little thumbwheel.
The pickup was an MMC 3000 with a spherical diamond. It tracked records at a stylus pressure of 1,2 grams. In order to fully exploit the pickup’s outstanding qualities, B&O constructed an extremely light magnesium pickup arm which, together with its unique suspension, ensured low inertia and thereby good conditions for correct contact between stylus and both walls of the record groove – at all times. Even warped records could be played satisfactorily.

Despite high specification levels, Beogram 1102 and 1902 automatic record-players are extremely easy to operate. All the technicalities are hidden under the surface.

Bang & Olufsen’s Electronic Servo Drive ensures that the rotatory speed of the Beogram 1102 and 1902 was always correct despite variations in the mains current supply. This is so because the system has a special feedback circuit which effects automatic corrections to compensate for these inherent variations

Beogram 1102 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 1100, together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products

Beogram 1102 UK price in 1978: £97.00

These decks are beautifully made and offer super sound quality for almost no money. Much easier to maintain than the tangential decks simply because they are very simple! Excellent isolation from external vibrations – strongly recommended – and they were when new by Hi-Fi Choice! Simpler than the earlier 1100 – and better for that! A DC motor replaced the AC motor fitted to the 1100 and was electronically regulated with speed adjustment done through a potentiometer as opposed to the complicated measures used in earlier decks. This method would roll out across the range of Beograms.