Beomaster 2400 together with Beomaster 1900 were two advanced FM stereo receivers. They had identical technical specification and performance. Both were easy to use and easy to live with.

Beomaster 2400 had the additional convenience of a cordless ultrasonic remote control module by which you could operate radio, amplifier and Beogram 2400 or 4004 record decks from a distance. Both receivers had touch-sensitive controls for operating the features and functions you used every day. All the secondary switches and adjustments were protected beneath a hinged lid, but an illuminated readout panel showed you the set’s operational status at a glance.

Equipped with the slim remote-control module you could select between four pre-set radio stations or record player input, adjust the volume up or down or put the System into Stand-by. The illuminated panel with its large display allowed to to easily see the state of play from anywhere in the room. The phase-locked loop decoder ensured a wide separation between stereo channels and remained stable over a very long lifetime. When a stereo broadcast was received, a symbol ‘S’ lit up automatically on the fascia of the set. Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) kept the selected radio station spot on tune, and a muting circuit cut out inter-station noise during tuning.

The stereo amplifier produced 2 x 30 watts RMS of high-fidelity output and had DIN sockets for the connection of two pairs of speakers, a record-player and a tape or cassette recorder.

A headphone connection was provided beneath the front edge of the unit. Controls not needed every day were situated beneath a hinged lid. These included tone and balance adjustment, FM pre-setting, loudness, AFC and MONO/STEREO switches, and a switch for selecting a basic initial volume level. This facility allowed you to choose the volume at which the amplifier began to play each time it was switch on – no matter how controls were left the previous time. On its primary control panel Beomaster 2400 had no knobs or buttons. The panel functioned electronically and needed only the contact of your finger to activate it. However, the ultrasonic remote control would have proved more useful. The set’s sophisticated indicator system would tell you instantly that your commands had been obeyed.

Beomaster 2400 was superceded by Beomaster 2400-2 in 1980.

Beomaster 2400 together with Beomaster 1900 were two advanced FM stereo receivers. They had identical technical specification and performance. Both were easy to use and easy to live with.

Beomaster 2400 had the additional convenience of a cordless ultrasonic remote control module by which you could operate radio, amplifier and Beogram 2400 or 4004 record decks from a distance. Both receivers had touch-sensitive controls for operating the features and functions you used every day. All the secondary switches and adjustments were protected beneath a hinged lid, but an illuminated readout panel showed you the set’s operational status at a glance.

Equipped with the slim remote-control module you could select between four pre-set radio stations or record player input, adjust the volume up or down or put the System into Stand-by. The illuminated panel with its large display allowed to to easily see the state of play from anywhere in the room. The phase-locked loop decoder ensured a wide separation between stereo channels and remained stable over a very long lifetime. When a stereo broadcast was received, a symbol ‘S’ lit up automatically on the fascia of the set. Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) kept the selected radio station spot on tune, and a muting circuit cut out inter-station noise during tuning.

The stereo amplifier produced 2 x 30 watts RMS of high-fidelity output and had DIN sockets for the connection of two pairs of speakers, a record-player and a tape or cassette recorder.

A headphone connection was provided beneath the front edge of the unit. Controls not needed every day were situated beneath a hinged lid. These included tone and balance adjustment, FM pre-setting, loudness, AFC and MONO/STEREO switches, and a switch for selecting a basic initial volume level. This facility allowed you to choose the volume at which the amplifier began to play each time it was switch on – no matter how controls were left the previous time. On its primary control panel Beomaster 2400 had no knobs or buttons. The panel functioned electronically and needed only the contact of your finger to activate it. However, the ultrasonic remote control would have proved more useful. The set’s sophisticated indicator system would tell you instantly that your commands had been obeyed.

Beomaster 2400 was superceded by Beomaster 2400-2 in 1980.

This was a variant of the Beomaster 4400 but which had a black fascia instead of the aluminium front seen on the Beomaster 4400. It seemed to be designed mainly for the US market but numbers made seem to be few and it has attained almost mythical status amongst European collectors. Bang & Olufsen themselves have not got one in their collection and in fact did not even have a picture.

However the enthusiast is not so easily thwarted! Thanks to the superb investigating powers of Frede Kristenssen of Classic Audio, we present the Beomaster 4401!

A more detailed description will follow once the model has been serviced, but essentially it has the same design and performance as the Beomaster 4400.

Two of these receivers are known to exist and examination would suggest that these were design studies taken to a production level. Some evidence of prototype wiring is present but clearly the parts are anodised in black.

Investigations have not completely uncovered the status of this model. There is one line of thinking which suggests that a number of these were made – in the region of a thousand with the majority going to the United States. However other insiders at B&O suggest that only a handful exist and it would seem that they are now in the hands of enthusiasts.

Reports of a matching Beogram , the 4001, are not backed up by any official data and unlike the Beomaster 4401, no service manual has yet been found.

In use the Beomaster 4401 is no different from a normal 4400. Except in this case the 4401 was restored by Classic Audio. This means that this Beomaster exceeds all the factory specifications.

How does it sound? Very modern despite it being over 30 years old. Lots of power and superb dynamics and extremely neutral. Many Beomasters have a warm slightly veiled sound but this one is a clear as a bell. It works equally well with small and large speakers and is easily able to control the bass on Beovox M100s which are a bit of a handful.

The tuner is a delight, pulling in weak stations with ease though the pre-sets are no easier to use than those on the Beomaster 3000. The geared wheels on the Beomaster 2200 are vastly better.

Connections are limited to DIN sockets – the useful RCA sockets are no longer there. This receiver also was the last to feature ambiophonics and a switch to activate the rear channels was fitted to the rear of the unit where most users would never see it!

In this users opinion, this is the best receiver made by B&O. The later Beomaster 8000 was more powerful but the 8000 is prone to going off specification very quickly due to the use of a particular type of capacitor. Therefore an 8000 in proper fettle is a rare beast indeed.

The 4400 is therefore a hidden gem; clothed in the skin of the lesser 3000 and 4000, it hides its splendour till called upon to play. Buy one now – these are true bargains!