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BeoCord 5000 (1984)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 5000 1984

A top-quality cassette recorder, perfectly matched to Beomaster 5000 as part of Beosystem 5000. When the two units were used together the cassette deck could be operated entirely by remote control.

Beocord 5000 was of very advanced design in both its technical features and in its control/operations systems. For the home recording enthusiast it offered superb standards of sound quality and precision engineering. Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX PRO recording system, Dolby B and Dolby C Noise Reduction and a 6-layer Canon combination head with a 1.8mm gap all contributed to a recording and playback performance that delighted even the most exacting technician.

For the novice or the non-technical music lover, Beocord 5000 represented a supremely straightforward way of making high-quality recordings and subsequently enjoying them in relaxing comfort.

Every possible convenience was built into the Beocord’s control system. There was a START/GO function that rewound the tape to its beginning and played it without further instruction. And an automatic ADVANCE function (tape search) that found the start of any required track from either end of the tape.

Selection between ferric, chrome and metal tapes was fully automatic, and setting the correct recording level was quick and easy using the input sliders and LED signal strength meters. You could switch instantly from one tape transport mode to another (e.g. from play to fast rewind) without any danger of tangling the tape or harming the mechanism.

The cassette tray and direct operation controls were housed in a motor-driven drawer which opened and closed at a touch. When used with Beomaster 5000, Beocord 5000 could, of course, be programmed to record or play automatically at any set time.

Connections: stereo microphone (DIN); Aux input DIN; data-link to Beomaster 5000 (one socket, 3-way switchable)

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BeoCord 5000 (1975)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 5000 1975

Beocord 5000 was a superior cassette deck with a Sendust tape head, dual capstans and a special servo drive system which secured low wow and flutter-data. Electronic recording level indicators (Peak Programme Meters) and the Fade in/Fade out functions facilitated exceptional recordings of the most demanding types of music. An automatic demagnetizing device helped ensure optimum signal/noise ratio at all times.

A Hall generator secured the most reliable automatic stop at the end of play. Because it worked electronically it was superior to mechanical systems which are always subject to wear and tear, stress and strain. Naturally Beocord 5000 incorporated Dolby B Noise Reduction circuits. You could also switch from fast forward to fast rewind, or normal play, without endangering your tapes or damaging the drive mechanism.

Despite these technological refinements Bang & Olufsen still didn’t forget the greatest advantage of the compact cassette – that of convenience. That’s why Beocord 5000 was so easy to use. The logically-arranged easy-touch buttons were clearly marked to aid simple, problem-free operation. An illuminated read-out panel told you the operational status of the deck at all times. The display could be read through the black Perspex cover which protected the cassette housing against dust. The unit had two peak programme meters which reacted faster than conventional VU meters in registering recording level and thus ensuring optimum recording quality.

There were two main design models in the Beocord 5000 range:the three head type 4705 was replaced in 1977 with the twin head 4715/4716 models.

What you need to know is that these were the only cassette deck with a B&O designed mechanism. It was designed to be to cassette decks what the Beogram 4000 was to record players. From a technical point of view, it was way ahead of its time.

However it was stupendously complicated and this hit reliability hard. The three head version hardly ever worked fully and the later two head was only a little better. Gorgeous to look at and packed with features, it will break your heart! B&O replaced this with the Beocord 8000, which had a bought in tape transport….

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BeoCord 4500

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 4500

Beocord 4500 cassette recorder housed exciting details and distinguished technology. Like Auto Reverse, so you did not need to turn over the tape. Automatic registration of the type of tape, and Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX-PRO recording system that provided optimal sound reproduction. Both in design and technology, Beocord 4500 was a direct extension of Beomaster 4500.

The cassette recorder featured Bang & Olufsen’s own HX-PRO recording system which ensures that recordings are made as perfectly as possible. With the Beolink 1000 terminal or by lightly touching the panel itself, you could select a particular piece of music you wanted to hear. The search system found it automatically whether it was on Side 1 or Side 2 of the cassette. For Beocord 4500 had Auto Reverse so you did not have to turn the tape over.

The recorder was also equipped with Dolby B and knew exactly what type of tape you were using. Beocord 4500 could be used as part of the Beosystem 4500 hi-fi system.

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BeoCord 1500 (1979)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 1500 1979

Beocord 1500 matched several Beomaster receivers in design, concept and performance level. It was also technically compatible with non-Bang & Olufsen products. If you simply wanted to record and play back cassettes without any extra refinements or facilities, this deck was for you.

The slanted control panel was logically planned and really simple to use. The VU meters and sliding input control made the setting of correct recording levels easy and accurate. The 3-digit tape counter had a memory function that helped you locate the start of a particular passage of music.

Quality recording and playback was further ensured by the super Permalloy tape head, highly stable motor/drive system and Dolby B Noise Reduction circuit.

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BeoCord 900

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 900

Beocord 900 was the simplest of Bang & Olufsen’s range of cassette-recorders.

Your only task was to choose the type of tape to put in: Cr02 or normal. Beocord 900 had large easy-to-read VU meters and recording controls were separate for left and right channels. There was a socket for a microphone and a push-button for mono recordings.

Tape-heads were made of Super Permalloy, a hard and extremely durable material which ensures a long useful lifetime. Wow and flutter was less than 0.28% (JIS method). Signal-to-noise ratio was better than 50 dB with chromium dioxide tapes.

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BeoCord 1100 (1975)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 1100

The fact that the Beocord 1100 was equipped with Dolby B Noise Reduction system immediately placed it among the market’s better cassette decks (catalogue 1977 / 78).

It had all the facilities you needed for recording compact cassettes and replaying them through an existing amplifier system. The combined record/playback head was made of Super Permalloy, an extremely durable material which ensured a long useful lifetime and had excellent magnetic properties. Other refinements included an electronic auto stop at end-of-tape and a switch for selecting between chromium dioxide and normal (ferric oxide) tapes.

The setting of correct recording levels was by way of individual controls used in conjunction with VU meters for left and right channels. Beocord 1101 was technically identical to Beocord 1100 but had a different exterior finish.

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BeoCord 1101 (1975)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 1101

The fact that the Beocord 1100 was equipped with Dolby B Noise Reduction system immediately placed it among the market’s better cassette decks (catalogue 1977 / 78).
It had all the facilities you needed for recording compact cassettes and replaying them through an existing amplifier system. The combined record/playback head was made of Super Permalloy, an extremely durable material which ensured a long useful lifetime and had excellent magnetic properties. Other refinements included an electronic auto stop at end-of-tape and a switch for selecting between chromium dioxide and normal (ferric oxide) tapes.

The setting of correct recording levels was by way of individual controls used in conjunction with VU meters for left and right channels. Beocord 1101 was technically identical to Beocord 1100 but had a different exterior finish.

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BeoGram 4000C

Bang & Olufsen BEOGRAM 4000C

The original iconic turntable which set the standard for all record players that came after – reimagined for contemporary use.

Launched in the 1970s, the Beogram 4000 series turntables defined the aesthetic of an era: becoming a classic with music lovers, collected by art museums and included in design history books

We wanted to revisit the Beogram turntables to celebrate how there are unchanging values which make a product beautiful and unique. Values that have held true at Bang & Olufsen since 1925.

Now, with the Beogram 4000c Recreated Limited Editions, we meticulously source and restore original units. These editions honour our rich heritage, celebrating timeless values while adapting to the modern sound systems.

The Beogram 4000c Recreated Limited Editions is the first instance of Bang & Olufsen’s Classics Initiative: in the near future we will be revisiting more of our most iconic products, reimagining them for now and coming decades.

Innovative looks, innovative technology

The innovative tangential tonearm was striking in its day, and part of the reason the original Beogram was an instant classic. But it wasn’t for looks. The way the tonearm was built made it able to play vinyl at an angle that was as close as possible to the way the record was cut. This made it truthful to the original recording, staying honest to the artist’s intentions.

Jacob Jensen

When Jacob Jensen designed the Beogram 4000 Series turntable in 1972, he was looking to the future of audio design. His aim was to completely rethink the turntable to achieve a better-performing product that would stand the test of time. ‘No-one should care about how bridges are built – the point is to find out how to get to the other side in the best possible way,’ he explained.

The collaboration between Bang & Olufsen and designer Jacob Jensen is legendary, and set one of the most influential standards for product design

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BeoCenter 3500

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 3500

A combination system with the quality and specifications of “separates”

Beocenter 3500 was built upon the Beomaster 3000 and combined a top quality FM tuner, an automatic record-player and a powerful stereo amplifier. The tuner had six pre-set stations for instant selection, plus a large manual tuning scale. There was an illuminated tuning indicator and a signal-strength meter to assist easy, accurate tuning. The powerful amplifier produced 2 x 40 watts RMS of high-fidelity output and was equipped with switchable filters.

There was a comprehensive range of connection facilities including sockets for two pairs of loudspeakers, headphones and a tape recorder with monitoring. The record-layer was fully automatic with one master-control for operating all functions. You only have to select the control position applicable to the size of the record, and touch a button. Beocenter 3500 was an ideal, simple way of enjoying high quality sound from records and radio. It was fitted with a robust hinged dust cover which protects records during play.

Features:

In the high-fidelity amplifier section, emphasis was placed on specifications, frequency correction and connection facilities. The LOUDNESS feature permitted switching between an objective or a subjective linear reproduction and the LOW and I-II filter controls gave a sharper regulation of frequencies in addition to the normal bass and treble controls. The LOW filter helped reduce rumble resulting from poor records. The EH filter reduced hiss. There were sockets and push buttons for two pairs of loudspeakers. The headphone socket was on the receiver’s front. The tape connection facilitated AB monitoring. All input signals could be adjusted at the receiver’s base to give equal sound intensity on all programme sources. The FM section had six pre-set FM station selectors.

A light indicator assisted accurate tuning and an illuminated meter registered the signal strength of a station. The FM section was extremely sensitive (better than 1.4 uV I.E.C.) and harmonic distortion was a mere 0.4%. Field effect transistors, ceramic filters and integrated circuits were used. The built-in record-player was perfectly matched to the rest of the unit, from a specification point of view. The fitted pickup cartridge, the SP 10A (later SP 12A) had a spherical naked diamond and a stylus pressure of 1.2 grams. Frequency range was 20 – 25000 Hz ± 3 dB and distortion was lower than 1%. Wow and flutter was less than 0.09% and rumble was better than 60 dB.

The record player section was easy to operate: you simply selected the size of the record you intend to play – 7″, 10″ or 12″ – and press a button. The record-player automatically selected the correct speed – 33 or 45 rpm – and lowered the pick-up into the first groove. When the record ended, the pick-up arm returned to its resting place and the turntable switched off. The turntable and pick-up arm had a pendulum suspension which made the record-player section insensitive to vibrations. Deep furrows in the turntable made it easy to pick up records. A stroboscope and a spindle adaptor for centreless records was provided. Beocenter 3500 was fitted with a hinged dust lid which was easily removed by a sliding action.

Beocenter 3500 had an extra Phono input. This was a ‘hang over’ from the Beomasters of the time which allowed two Beograms to be connected to the music centre. However, Phono 2 needed an RIAA pre-amplifier as it required a line level input. This feature became ‘Tape 2’ in later models.