[simonharries]

Hi all,

I just wanted to drop by and say ‘hi’.

I’ve been looking at getting a vintage B&O set up for a while now but am actually getting my finger out to sort something out.

Thinking, initially about a Beogram 3000 coupled with a Beomaster 3300 and MCX 35 speakers. Would that seem a fair place to start? Not too worried about CD or Tape yet – will see how I get on playing my vinyl to start with.

One last thing – am I right in thinking that there used to be another (Scandinavian?) brand, similar to B&O, back in the 70s/80s, or am I making that up?

I’m looking forward to reading through these pages and learning more about vintage B&O. Thanks in advance

[Hiort]

Welcome to the forum @simonharries 🙂

I think the pieces you mention is as good start as any, when it comes to vintage B&O. The BM3300 have built in RIAA amplifier, and that is always convenient. I don´t have any experience with the speakers you mentioned.

You may use the tape input on the Beomaster to add e.g a digital source like Airport Express to enable playing over Airplay.

I recently acquired a Beomaster 1900 to join my old Beogram 2200.

I purchased the Beogram new 1979/80 when I was a kind, but could not affort the Beomaster 1900 at the time. So it took more than 40 years 😉

Remember that the Beomaster that are this old may have problems with e.g leaking capacitors. There are lots of people out there that do that type of restoration if needed. All cables you may need can be sourced from Steve at Soundsheavenly. (Link on this site)

 

 

[Tignum]

Hello simonharries, be aware that the BeoVirus can hit hard! I trust you will be googling hard to find out what you best buy. You might find threads like these https://archivedforum.beoworld.co.uk/forums/t/28505.aspx that will give good insights. From this and other threads I am left with the impression that Beovox 45-2 is seen as a very well performing and not too large speaker, and that the X35 is to be avoided https://archivedforum.beoworld.co.uk/forums/t/21875.aspx. I had a Beomaster 1900 with S45 for some time, quite nice, but eventually went on to more convenience with a remotely controllable Masterlink/BeoLab based setup. Regards, Johan

[simonharries]

Thanks Hiort – that’s very useful information and the set up you show there looks great. Maybe I’m setting my sights too high – always wanted a tangential deck and the BM3300 just fitted with that.

I was going to add a WiiM Mini to the setup so I can use the system from other sources – hence not worrying about CD/Tape yet.

Can I ask what speakers you’re using, please? Am open to suggestions but the ones I mention are being sold along with the BM3300 and the size suits my needs.

Only other thing – is there a remote that works with the BM1900? That would be handy too.

Thanks again

[simonharries]

Hi Johan

Thanks for your reply and the info regarding the speakers. I’ll see what I can find – mostly looking on eBay at the moment.

I’ll have a look through the threads you linked to – I’ve been looking at a vintage B&O set up for several years but only recently decided to pull the trigger – I should have been on this forum a long time ago, learning about all the different combinations.

Looking forward to sharing my ‘new’ set up soon!

Cheers

[Hiort]

simonharries wrote:

Thanks Hiort – that’s very useful information and the set up you show there looks great. Maybe I’m setting my sights too high – always wanted a tangential deck and the BM3300 just fitted with that. I was going to add a WiiM Mini to the setup so I can use the system from other sources – hence not worrying about CD/Tape yet. Can I ask what speakers you’re using, please? Am open to suggestions but the ones I mention are being sold along with the BM3300 and the size suits my needs. Only other thing – is there a remote that works with the BM1900? That would be handy too. Thanks again

I think a tangential recorddeck is a good choice, and would love to have one myself. They have been quite expensive though.

I have purchased a pair of refoamed CX100 bookshelf speakers. Super solid in aluminum. They are decent in my small homeoffice. Im sure the speakers you mention have better punch.

The BM1900 cannot be remote controlled. I also have a Beomaster 3000 that have a dedicated remote.

[simonharries]

Thanks again Hiort.

That BM3000 looks mint – hard to think it could be nearly 40 years old!

I’ve managed to get a BM3000 with remote now (£170) and a Beogram 3000 (without cartridge) for £140. Both in good condition and fully working.

New (non OEM) stylus is ordered too so last thing to get are the speakers – when I started out I had no idea that the cartridge would cost around the same as the main parts of the system!!

Am waiting to get a response to questions on a pair of CX100 – but if they don’t work out I think the S45-2 mentioned will be the next one to try.

I should have done this years ago.

[Hiort]

Nice 🙂 Looks like you found some good prices and gear. Yeah, stylus are really expensive. I sent my old stylus (from the Beogram 2200) for “re-tipping” to a guy in Germany that do that work.

The B&O virus is really contagious 🙂

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