Beocenter 2 buying considerations

14 replies
MA
Madskp
Gold
1759 posts
Posted January 31, 2024 at 08:36 GMT ? Edited May 4, 2024 at 22:05 GMT
#688574
I am a little tempted to buy a Beocenter 2 (yeah I know the Beovirus), but but I have some considerations that I like to hear if others have experience with. If I wan't to go the cheap route most units on our local "Ebay" here in Denmark are sold as the head unit and the socket unit seperatly, and as of now I only find one socket unit for sale. I noticed in one add for a head unit that the seller mentioned that he has the pin code. My consideration here is if the pin code is only for the head unit or if the socket unit is using the same pin code and therefore need to be with the head unit the pin code was set for? Also could there be other dependencies between the head unit and the socket unit I will have to think of? Quite a few of the adds for the head units mentions that reading CD/DVD's might be problematic. Are there any known cure to this other than replacing the laser? Any other things that I have not thought through? Thanks in advance for all inputs    

Location: Denmark

B3
B3OHACK3R
Bronze
157 posts
Posted January 31, 2024 at 20:54 GMT
#707300
As far as I know the pin code is stored in the socket unit. I have two BC2 here. One with pin code enabled, the other came disabled. I remember connecting the "pin code" head unit to the other socket unit (several un-powered hours in-between). It then didn't ask for the pin code, so... Watch out for sticky soft touch paint on the head unit. Also worth checking the display for signs of wear. The VFD technology used has a limited life-time. If people let it running 24/7 or enabled the standby clock some pixels will be worn out heavily and pretty dim while other will still be bright. While it still functions then it will just look bad. The wing mechanism tends to stop working properly. Usually caused by a slowly failing rubber belt.
MA
Madskp
Gold
1759 posts
Posted February 1, 2024 at 11:15 GMT
#707303
Thanks for the info. very good points

Location: Denmark

B3
B3OHACK3R
Bronze
157 posts
Posted February 1, 2024 at 14:47 GMT
MA
Madskp
Gold
1759 posts
Posted February 10, 2024 at 13:23 GMT
I have now bought both the heat unit and the socket unit from the same seller. I ended up paying a resonable price for both including shipping. The Head unit was advertised as having difficulties with playing CD's. I have yet to test this as the door mechanism as expected also has some issues which is certanly the rubber band giving issues. Also the CD clamper might need some adjustments as well as the clamper mechanism which dos not seem to reach the bottom and has problems getting the CD to land on its spindle. This might also be related to a rubber band for this mechanism. The display is not having issues, and the PIN code that was set is now disables so hopefully that might not give me issues. The coating on both the head unit and the socket unit is still in ok condition, but it might be a matter of time. The CD tray was also coated in this and was very sticky, This I have now removed to preserve the discs I put int it. To be continued

Location: Denmark

MA
Madskp
Gold
1759 posts
Posted February 21, 2024 at 16:31 GMT
#707779

Location: Denmark

Rolf2
Rolf2
Bronze
492 posts
Posted February 22, 2024 at 23:35 GMT ? Edited February 25, 2024 at 13:14 GMT
Hi Madskp,
congrats to your "new" BC 2! I acquired one last year, and after seeing it in flesh and touching it, it is one of the most tempting and beautiful B&O systems imho. The metal surface and the sliding wing mechanism are only two out of a lot of nice features. Sure, the connection possibilities are limited, but I find it really, really worthwhile. My nephew, beovirus infected ?, picked it up at the seller, and I gave it to him to extend his setup (together with the accompanying BL 4500 in blue).

Location: Germany

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beosound.png Beosound.png
Beosound-9000.png Beosound-9000.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoremote-Halo.png Beoremote-Halo.png
Beoplay-H9i.png Beoplay-H9i.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-A8.png Beoplay-A8.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
MA
Madskp
Gold
1759 posts
Posted February 23, 2024 at 18:14 GMT ? Edited February 23, 2024 at 18:14 GMT

Location: Denmark

Capt’nGerard, formerly known as Gaea
Capt’nGerard, formerly known as Gaea
Gold
154 posts
Posted February 24, 2024 at 23:41 GMT ? Edited February 24, 2024 at 23:43 GMT
My mother’s BC2 has the clamper somewhat sticking to the sticky plastic underneath, so the clamper has sometimes difficulties opening. I used a q-tip with silicon spray to relieve the stickyness of the clamper seat. I replaced the belts and used the Kose trading video to remove the wings

Location: Netherlands

A.K.A Capt’nGerard on the Discord
Rolf2
Rolf2
Bronze
492 posts
Posted February 25, 2024 at 13:11 GMT ? Edited February 25, 2024 at 13:13 GMT
#707880
Could you explain, how you plan to approach this, please? Mine is in a very good technical condition, cosmetically the soft touch on both units is starting to get sticky.
I am using Isapropyl alcohol and toilet paper. Had to rub the spot three times to get this result which I think is far better looking than the dusty, scratchy and sticky surface. It takes some time and rubbing, but I think it is worth it. You might wan’t to start on the back to see if you like the surface underneath. If you know how to take of the wings it might be worth doing that to eliminate black spots on them when doing the edges.
Thank you for explaining and giving advice. I found a Youtube video, recommending Isopropyl as well for cleaning BL 3´s with sticky gray lacquer. Good to have your confirmation that this is the way to work on it. Guess it will be all the same for cleaning products with sticky soft touch coating, e. g. BC 2 table charger / dummy, BeoMedia 1, etc.
Yes mine is playing DVD’s, but for the short test I did the controls did not seem that responsible and the interface was horrible looking. Well it’s a long time since I used a DVD player, so might just have gotten to used to streaming movies. I might Hook it up to my BC6 as a DVD player just because the functionality is there, but guess I’am not gonna use it much for other than testing purposes.
I´m installing those older B&O units for the sake of having the functionality as well. Watching them play, using their features. To know they can be used, in case I can take some of my time enjoying it, also linking them to modern era B&O.

Location: Germany

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beosound.png Beosound.png
Beosound-9000.png Beosound-9000.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoremote-Halo.png Beoremote-Halo.png
Beoplay-H9i.png Beoplay-H9i.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-A8.png Beoplay-A8.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
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