The quality of the Beogram CD 5500 CD player took time to fully appreciate. For example, the elegant disc tray with its completely smooth and silent drive. Or the way that the disc drive system was mounted to isolate it from vibrations. Perhaps you were most impressed by the way that a built-in circuit in the player compensated for the tiniest faults on the disc itself (contrary to popular belief they’re not always perfect!). Finding tracks was both fast and easy – it was necessary to just ask the Master Control Panel for the track number you wanted. You could programme tracks to be played in any order, or sample each track briefly. There was a light display which showed you the length of the track you were playing and the remaining time on the disc – invaluable for recording.
Though very similar to look at to Beogram CD 50, this all-new Philips-based machine was a radical departure, both in manufacturing and technical terms. Beogram CD 5500 was the first CD player to be entirely designed by Bang & Olufsen and with the exception of the optical deck, it was entirely made by the company too. The performance and reliability of the Beogram CDX models probably influenced the choice of the Philips radial single beam pickup system and brushless DC spindle motor.
Externally, a slim aluminium plate machined out to the size of a compact disc replaced the Beogram CD 50 door and drawer loading system and it moved quickly and silently, again in marked contrast to its predecessor. The deck was on the right-hand side side of the fascia as opposed to Beogram CD 50 left-hand side arrangement, so that the loading of a cassette into the new Beocord 5500 tape recorder, which you had the option of placing below, was not obstructed. Later versions had a concentric 8cm circular recess machined into the loading plate, to accept CD singles.
With the Beogram CD 5500 there was no infra-red sensor option, and the front panel controls were even more basic, so at very least a Beomaster 5500 and Beolink 1000 terminal were needed to use it properly. On the back panel, there was a 7-pin Datalink socket for Beomaster 5500, and a single phono digital output connection, for which there was never a use within the B&O range.
The performance of this outstanding machine was never bettered, and with the exception of minor styling and software revisions, it remained virtually unchanged until the end of the separates system range with the Beogram CD 7000.
Beogram CD 5500 could be controlled via the two-way Master Control Panel MCP 5500 as part of Beosystem 5500.
Type: 5131 (1986 – May 1990)
Type: AUS 5135 (1986 – Aug 1989)
Type: GB 5132 (1986 – May 1990)
Type: J 5134 (1986 – Jan 1990)
Type: USA 5133 (1986 – Jan 1990)
Designer: Jacob Jensen
Manufactured: 1986 – 1990
Colours: Aluminium, White
Frequency range: 3 – 20,000 Hz +/- 0.3 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 100 dB / 110 dB A-weighted
Dynamic range: > 96 dB
Harmonic distortion incl. noise: < 0.0025% at 0 dB;
< 0.025% at -20 dB
Channel separation: > 101 dB
Channel difference: < 0.08 dB
Converter system: 2 x 16 bit, 4 x oversampling 176.4
Low pass filter: Digital + Bessel/elliptical analogue
Damping: > 20,000 Hx > 50 dB
Phase error between L and R 0 degree at 20 – 20,000 Hz
Output analogue: 1.3 V RMS at 0 dB
Output, signal: For digital equipment
Power supply:
5131: 220 (100 – 110 – 120 – 240) V
5132/5135: 240 (100 – 110 – 120 – 220) V
5134: 100 V
Power consumption 23 W
Dimensions W x H x D 42 x 7.5 x 32.5cm
Weight 6.3 kg
Link compatibility: Data Link
Type | Language | Type | |
User Guide | DK | BeoGram CD 5500 User Guide | |
User Guide | EN | BeoGram CD 5500 User Guide | |
User Guide | FR | BeoGram CD 5500 User Guide | |
User Guide | DE | BeoGram CD 5500 User Guide | |
Service Manual | EN | BeoGram CD 5500 Service Manual |
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