Release Date: 1973

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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 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 1000

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1000

superbly designed, tastefully styled

The turntable and overall design was by Jacob Jensen; the tonearm and MMC cartridge principle was by Erik Rørbæk Madsen. Beogram 1000 was the recommended turntable for Beomaster 1000.

The First Beogram?

Beogram 1000 was the very first Bang & Olufsen turntable to be designated with the suffix ‘Beogram’. Before its introduction, earlier decks did not, strictly speaking, hold this product name.

This player has extremely low vibration and rumble – a decisive feature for playback of stereo gramophone records, due to the fact that the stylus must be sensitive to vibrations in all directions.

The Beogram 1000 has antimicrophonic suspension that takes up acoustic and mechanical vibrations from the support and prevents the stylus from leaving the groove. In practice, this means that mechanical vibrations from the support or from persons walking or dancing in front of the Beogram 1000 cannot make the stylus jump in the groove. Such vibrations will be absorbed in the antimicrophonic suspension and will not reach the turntable or the pickup.

Equipped with the world-famous B&O ST/L-15 pickup unit; heavy turntable designed as a stroboscope disc; built-in hydraulically damped pickup lift operating y means of a rocker button. Specially engineered speed selector (78, 45 and 33.3 rpm); built-in special centre insert for 45 rpm records. The Beogram 1000 is available in two versions: Beogram 1000V (for 240/110 volts AC) and Beogram 1000VF (for 240/110 volts AC with built-in preamplifier.

Choice of teak or Brazilian rosewood finish and with a practical transparent acrylic dust cover.

And so ends the brochure speak! The Beogram 1000 was heavily based on earlier decks and, despite what B&O said, was not that resistant to external forces. It also was not able to be played with the lid on and indeed the lid had a cut out at the back to allow the pick arm to protrude. It allowed reasonable play back and was reliable but performance led to B&O looking elsewhere for a turntable for the Beolab 5000 system.

Mounting Options

Wall Bracket / Shelf for BeoGram

A universal shelf that will support all Bang & Olufsen turntables from the past 30 years. Including three cable entry points to allow you to bring cables from below the shelf or through the wall.

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BeoGram 1001

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1001

The Beogram 1001 was a slightly updated Beogram 1000. The major change which you may notice is the lack of the name on the front of the cabinet. You may then notice the lack of a 78 rpm setting and finally the cartridge changed to the SP14 rather than the SP6/7. Performance was however just the same – surprisingly good but poor isolation from external vibration. The lid was just as useless as before and did not allow it to be left on during playback.