B&O system upgrade ideas
Discussion
Looking for a little help from someone who obviously knows more than I do !!!
I have an old B&O 5000 system which has a 5005 Turntable and single CD player.
Speakers are B&O Beosound 8000's
Basically the system is getting on a bit bit still sounds great via the CD but the Vinyl sound quality seems to be deteriorating. I assume the MMC4 cartridge is on its way out. These seem to be about £200 for a reconditioned one or £400 new.
This got me thinking about updating the system.
I would like to keep the speakers as these fit into our room nicely and I think they are still quite highly regarded.
Are there any decent turntable / cd / Amp combinations which I could use with the speakers, Budget not massive say £1k give or take but dont mind going for used. Or am I better to just get a new stylus?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
The Beosystem 5000 is one of B&O's best efforts and you will struggle to better it for an outlay of £1k, in my opinion. I have a house half full of B&O and if I had to get rid of most of it, the 5000 system would be the last thing out of the door (probably... 
).
I'd get the MMC4 re-built personally. Audio Origin in Southampton will do it for you for £129 and I've heard good reports of their work. I've not used them myself but do need to as they're only just down the road and i have about 5 MMC4s that need re-tipping!
).I'd get the MMC4 re-built personally. Audio Origin in Southampton will do it for you for £129 and I've heard good reports of their work. I've not used them myself but do need to as they're only just down the road and i have about 5 MMC4s that need re-tipping!
Deranged Rover said:
The Beosystem 5000 is one of B&O's best efforts and you will struggle to better it for an outlay of £1k, in my opinion. I have a house half full of B&O and if I had to get rid of most of it, the 5000 system would be the last thing out of the door (probably... ).
I'd get the MMC4 re-built personally. Audio Origin in Southampton will do it for you for £129 and I've heard good reports of their work. I've not used them myself but do need to as they're only just down the road and i have about 5 MMC4s that need re-tipping!
Thanks for this, Will look into them and let you know if i go down that route. ).I'd get the MMC4 re-built personally. Audio Origin in Southampton will do it for you for £129 and I've heard good reports of their work. I've not used them myself but do need to as they're only just down the road and i have about 5 MMC4s that need re-tipping!
Tony1963 said:
So the very things that the OP wants to keep, you suggest he gets rid of...
The amp and other kit if in good condition will work just as well as new kit, where as getting small (relatively) speakers to perform well has moved on a lot. So just the correct advice, but down to OP to make the choice. Maybe worth borrowing some kit and see what works best for him? The BeoLab 8000's are an active speaker (as well as a piece of art). The OP is right to keep them. I will never get rid of mine.
I agree about replacing the cartridge.
If you'd like to upgrade the system further for steaming etc I'd suggest https://soundsheavenly.com/12-bang-olufsen.
Steve is very helpful if you have any questions.
I agree about replacing the cartridge.
If you'd like to upgrade the system further for steaming etc I'd suggest https://soundsheavenly.com/12-bang-olufsen.
Steve is very helpful if you have any questions.
Gotama said:
The BeoLab 8000's are an active speaker (as well as a piece of art). The OP is right to keep them. I will never get rid of mine.
I agree about replacing the cartridge.
If you'd like to upgrade the system further for steaming etc I'd suggest https://soundsheavenly.com/12-bang-olufsen.
Steve is very helpful if you have any questions.
Couldn't agree more on both fronts! I agree about replacing the cartridge.
If you'd like to upgrade the system further for steaming etc I'd suggest https://soundsheavenly.com/12-bang-olufsen.
Steve is very helpful if you have any questions.
Steve is a top chap and a pleasure to deal with, and my Beolab 8000s will never be sold either - they're currently performing rear speaker duties in the lounge.
I bitterly regret getting rid of a 5500(?) system. If it ain't broke, don't even think about replacing it. Even the turntable is of reasonable quality IMO and the CD player is excellent. A good service/overhaul would be most cost-effective IMO.
A retip of the cartridge should see you good for a few years. Having the whole lot's electronics serviced and, if necessary, recapped would be sensible and a good clean-out of the mechanical bits (especially the belts for the auto-tonearm) would be prudent.
A retip of the cartridge should see you good for a few years. Having the whole lot's electronics serviced and, if necessary, recapped would be sensible and a good clean-out of the mechanical bits (especially the belts for the auto-tonearm) would be prudent.
siwil1 said:
Ok so the consensus is to keep the system and get it serviced, Which is the conclusion I had come to after a little play on a few sites.
Any recommendations for a place to service the whole system, Ideally East london / Essex for ease of transport?
Thanks for all the replies so far.
From memory, mine was outsourced from the B&O in South Hampstead to a chap in Watford. If you ask the Chelmsford or Colchester B&O dealer they might have someone to point to. Any recommendations for a place to service the whole system, Ideally East london / Essex for ease of transport?
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Failing that, I can recommend London Sound - http://www.londonsound.org/index.htm . Mike Solomons there has repaired old Hifi stuff for me in the past (I have a weakness for Tannoys the size of small houses
). He's in Harrow. But he won't touch CD players - he put me on to someone else in Hendon. (I can look up the name if you need it).Forums | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff