This deck was the Beogram designed for use with the Beomaster 6000.
To all intents the same deck as the Beogram 8000, it had a MMC20EN cartridge and black keys to differentiate it from its more expensive brother. Not replaced directly when the newer cartridges were released as the Beogram 6002 was belt drive rather than tangential drive.
This was a confusing product as it offered the same performance as the Beogram 8000 but was cheaper due to the lesser cartridge. It was not a big seller and it was not surprising that the range was rationalised by keeping a top performing Beogram in the Beogram 8002 and a substantially simpler deck in the Beogram 6002.
In 1973, Bang & Olufsen launched the world’s first record player with an electronically controlled tangential arm. It was dubbed a state-of-the-art product by the industry, and revered and appreciated by music lovers all over the world.
Beogram 8000 was Bang & Olufsen’s third generation of tangential arm decks.
The special benefit of the tangential arm is that it helped to secure the most authentic reproduction of sound from records because it tracked records in the same way they were cut. But the tangential arm was only one of the features that contributed to the achievement of the company’s goal. For Beogram 8000 also benefited from B&O’s unique approach to turntable design: integration, in which all components of the gramophone were carefully matched from the product’s earliest design stage.
To secure constantly accurate rotary speed a Tangential Drive system was developed. It incorporated a quartz-controlled electronic flywheel, similar to the system used in electricity meters. Like your domestic meter, the system is highly reliable and extremely accurate. It works all day, everyday, and never needs repair. You never needed to make corrections in the Beogram’s rotary speed. A digital display kept you informed of speed during play. Because the conventional motor has been discarded, there were no motor vibrations to distort the sound. A unique pendulum suspension system prevented external shocks and vibrations from affecting sound reproduction.
Beogram 8000 was fitted with the widely acclaimed MMC 20 CL pickup cartridge, which guaranteed excellent tracking and minimum record wear, thanks to its low effective tip mass and optimum groove contact. A stylus brush, mounted inside the tangential arm compartment, kept the diamond free from dust and micro-particles, thereby enhancing the gentle treatment of records.
Beogram 8000 could be used as part of a full stereo system – the Beosystem 6000 or 8000
Beogram 2202 and Beogram 2402 replaced models 2200 and 2400 and were eventually replaced by Beogram 2404 (looking the same externally as the former units) in 1983.
To play records on the fully-automatic Beogram 2202/2402 decks, it was necessary to simply press “start” and let the integrated systems do the rest. As an additional safeguard, all functions could be operated with the protective dust lid closed.
Thanks to the fine polish of their elliptical diamonds, and the low mass of the arm, these Beograms got the very best from your records without inflicting any significant wear. Careful arm geometry ensured that tracking error was kept well below the level where it could affect sound quality. Skating effect was compensated automatically. Beogram 2202 was fitted with an MMC 20E pickup, while Beogram 2402 has an MMC 20EN. When coupled to the Beomaster 2400-2 FM stereo receiver, Beogram 2402 could be operated by remote control.
Beogram 2202 / 2402 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 1900 or Beosystem 2400, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.
Beogram 2202 and Beogram 2402 replaced models 2200 and 2400 and were eventually replaced by Beogram 2404 (looking the same externally as the former units) in 1983.
To play records on the fully-automatic Beogram 2202/2402 decks, it was necessary to simply press “start” and let the integrated systems do the rest. As an additional safeguard, all functions could be operated with the protective dust lid closed.
Thanks to the fine polish of their elliptical diamonds, and the low mass of the arm, these Beograms got the very best from your records without inflicting any significant wear. Careful arm geometry ensured that tracking error was kept well below the level where it could affect sound quality. Skating effect was compensated automatically. Beogram 2202 was fitted with an MMC 20E pickup, while Beogram 2402 has an MMC 20EN. When coupled to the Beomaster 2400-2 FM stereo receiver, Beogram 2402 could be operated by remote control.
Beogram 2202 / 2402 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 1900 or Beosystem 2400, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.
An updated 2402 but with the revised lightweight arm designed to take the MMC5 cartridge.
Rather an afterthought, the 2404 was designed to work with the Beomaster 2400-2 and was fitted with the 7 pin DIN plug to allow control by remote. This was not compatible with Datalink. The last UK model of this design and interesting simply because it had the new cartridge but the old remote control software unlike the Beogram 6000 which boasted the new software and old cartridge.
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.
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.
