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BeoCenter 2800

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 2800

Beocenter 2800 was a unique combination of FM/AM tuner, a 2 x 25 watts RMS hi-fi power amplifier and record player. The tuner section offered Long and Medium wave reception as well as FM. There were facilities for pre-setting the four FM stations you listen to most frequently. Ceramic filters, AFC, split-supply output and a phase-locked loop decoder were some of the features that ensured outstanding reception and reproduction of even distant stations.

The record player was fully automatic – one master switch controlled all operations. The anti-skating device was built into the arms suspension and worked automatically. Electronic Servo Drive (ESD) ensured constantly correct speed. There were sockets for tape deck, two sets of stereo speakers and headphones.

This was a compact, space-saving unit which was easy to use thanks to automatic circuits and logical controls. Beocenter 2800 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 2800, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products

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BeoGram 1500 (1978)

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 1500 1978

Beogram 1500 combined ease of operation and advanced technology in a simple, straightforward way. All its operations were controlled via a single button.

Another advantage of this totally integrated design was its immunity to external shock and vibrations. The electronic servo drive system ensured correct turntable speed at all times. The low-mass arm had built-in bias compensation, and the MMC 20S pickup tracked at only 1,5 grams.

The unique pendulum spring suspension helped make the Beogram range of record players immune to the external shock and vibrations which would cause most other record decks to mistrack and damage the record groove.

Beogram 1500 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 1500, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

This deck was the basic model of its time but the inherent design of this deck meant that the performance was extremely similar to the top of the range radial decks. Very easy to set up and simple to use, a true bargain buy in later years.

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BeoCord 1900

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 1900

Beocord 1900 equalled Bang & Olufsen’s top-of-the-line cassette deck (Beocord 5000) in terms of specifications and performance, but it but it did not have the same wide range of facilities and operational refinements.

This does not mean that the Beocord 1900 was difficult to operate. On the contrary, the slanting front panel which contained all the operational facilities made the set’s controls handy and easily accessible. The cassette eject mechanism was air damped so that delivery was gentle and controlled. Two large VU meters enabled accurate setting of recording levels.

The microphones socket was placed discreetly under a sliding panel together with a balance control which enabled signal level adjustment in both channels. All the features which characterised high quality and high performance levels in cassette decks were incorporated. These included a combined recording/play-back Sendust tape head and Dolby B Noise Reduction circuits.

Beocord 1900 used precision techniques that ensured stable tape drive and the highest standards of recording and playback. Yet despite its comprehensive facilities it was easy to use and harmonised comfortably with many different Beosystems.

Beocord 1900 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 1900 or Beosystem2400, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

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BeoCord 8000

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 8000

When you used metal tape cassettes in the Beocord 8000 you obtained the same high quality sound you were used to from a good gramophone record. Careful choice of components and materials, creative engineering and technical excellence all made this possible.

But superb sound reproduction was only one of the benefits you got from this advanced cassette deck, which replaced Beocord 5000. Of equal importance was the fact that time, through Beocord 8000, came to the cassette deck. Bang & Olufsen used it to measure tape consumption. Quite simply, instead of using meaningless digits, minutes and seconds were used instead. This allowed you to locate specific tracks of music easily and accurately for immediate replay. Just tell the Beocord 8000 where to start, in minutes and seconds and let the set’s microcomputer do the rest.

This feature also helped you plan recordings and thereby ensure maximum use of your tapes. During play, Beocord 8000 measured and displayed the exact amount of tape consumed so that you always knew how much playing time was left on the cassette. And the Beocord wouldn’t let you make mistakes: if you gave incorrect instructions, reject signals flashed on the set’s display panel. The microprocessor which made the real time counter possible was also used to provide a digital clock for timer recording. In normal use the clock did not show on the display, but it could be programmed to start the tape either playing back or recording any time within 24 hours.

The button marked ‘RETURN’ afforded great convenience during recording. Together with the automatic tape position indicator, it enabled you to edit your tapes electronically. The split-channel Peak Programme Meter eased the setting of recording levels and was extremely accurate. It indicated the actual signal that was being fed to the tape, for each channel, rather than that which was being received at input.

Underneath the brushed aluminium panel was the cassette compartment, sliders for setting recording level, an independent slider for adjusting volume level on headphones, facilities for timer programming and adjustments for secondary functions.

For example, you could instruct Beocord 8000 to make recordings of radio programmes while you are out. In short, everything was done to ensure total listening pleasure in terms of sound reproduction and convenience.

Beocord 8000 could be used as a stand-alone tape cassette recorder or as part of hi-fi systems such as Beosystem 6000 or Beosystem 8000.

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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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BeoCenter 4600

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 4600

Beocenter 4600 was a multi-way combination unit incorporating a 2 x 25 watts RMS AM/FM receiver, an easy to use hi-fi cassette deck and an automatic record player. The lightweight arm had built-in bias compensation and carried Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20S pickup cartridge with spherical diamond stylus.

The AM radio covered long and medium wavebands. Outstanding reception quality and high selectivity was secured by an Automatic Gain Control circuit, active noise suppression and hybrid filters.

The FM tuner was highly sensitive. Four stations could be pre-set for subsequent instant recall. The hi-fi cassette deck had all the features and qualities normally expected only in a separate deck:

* 3-digit counter with memory function

* electronic tape stop at end of play

* Dolby B Noise Reduction

* chrome or normal tapes could be used

The super Permalloy tape head was hard-wearing and had a long, useful lifetime. The record player too was automated: all functions were controlled by a single button. The anti-skating device worked automatically too. Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20 S pickup cartridge with a spherical diamond was an integral part of this unit. Two Beovox S40 speakers complete this system if this was your choice.

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BeoCenter 5000

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 5000

If space was limited in your home but you still wanted top-class sound reproduction from your hi-fi, Beocenter 5000 was the perfect answer. It offered high-technology performance from radio, records and cassettes, yet measured only 72 x 38 x 9,5cm. Each sound source could compete on merit with more expensive ‘separates’. The three high-performance components were integrated together into a single unit to give the best of all possible worlds.

The 2 x 40 watts RMS amplifier meant high power with minimal distortion – less than 0,1% at full output. The automatic record deck had a low-mass, low-inertia tone arm carrying an MMC 20E pickup and a precision-built electronic servo drive system for perfect speed accuracy. The cassette recorder was capable of the highest performance levels as it included Dolby Noise Reduction circuits, metal tape facility, automatic ferric/chrome selection, Sendust tape head and 4-digit electronic tape counter. The radio covered Long, Medium and FM bands, with five pre-set stations offering instant, press-button tuning.

Beocenter 5000 offered the same musical facilities and powerful 2 x 40 watts RMS output as Beocenter 7002. The two models were identical in the matter of sound quality too, but only the Beocenter 7002 had Bang & Olufsen’s very advanced timer-track location and remote control systems. The black anodised lid of its cassette compartment further differentiated Beocenter 5000 from the 7002.

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BeoCenter 7000

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 7000

Beocenter 7000 upon its release, represented one of the most advanced hi-fi centres on the market. One touch produced instant music from a record, cassette tape or an FM or AM radio station. Illuminated symbols on the set’s communication panel confirmed instructions or rejected mistakes and kept you informed on the set’s operational status at all times.

in short, Beocenter 7000 offered two-way visual communication in high-fidelity.

The cordless remote control module put you in command of most of the functions from anywhere in the room. You could select any programme which would also switch on the set. You could regulate the volume – 2 x 40 watts RMS – make cassette recordings, and switch off the set. Comprehensive memory and timer facilities enabled you to program the set’s microcomputer to operate within a 24-hour period. It could record an important radio programme while you were out, and even instruct the Beocenter to wake you up with an early morning broadcast.

Each of Beocenter 7000’s three sound sources had the quality and performance level normally found in much more expensive separate units. The record deck had Electronic Servo Drive for absolute speed accuracy and its operation was fully automated. Stop, start or pause could be controlled via the remote control terminal. The cassette recorder had a Sendust record/replay head and a double-gap erase head that could even cope with metal tapes. You could locate any point on the tape simply by asking the set’s microcomputer to search for this required counter reading. The radio had facilities for pre-setting 5 FM and 1 AM stations which could then be selected instantly at the touch of a button.

Beocenter 7000 was designed by Jacob Jensen. In 1979 three more of the designer’s creations for Bang & Olufsen were included in the Design Collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York including the Beocenter 7000 music system.

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BeoCenter 3300

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 3300

Beocenter 3300 combined a powerful AM/FM stereo receiver with an automatic record player. Technically identical to the Beomaster 2200, the receiver section offered programmes on FM, long and medium wavebands and up to 2 x 40 watts RMS amplification with low distortion levels. It also had the same logical operation facilities.

The record player had a spring-suspended rotatory mechanism and an electronic servo drive system which ensured accurate turntable speed – even during variations in the mains current supplies. A special pendulum leaf spring suspension made the arm and platter immune to external shock and vibration which causes most other record players to mistrack and damage the record and sometimes even the stylus.

All functions of the record player were operated by touching a single button. The start/play/stop cycle is entirely automatic and moves, lifts or lowers the arm much more delicately than could the human hand. The MMC 20E cartridge carried an elliptical diamond stylus.

Beocenter 3300 had sockets for a tape deck, an extra record player, headphones and two sets of stereo speakers. The unit could be made up as part of the Beosystem 3300, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.