Beograms: tangential or radial?

6 replies
matador
matador
BronzeModerator
2424 posts
Posted June 13, 2022 at 06:45 GMT
#686281
Hi guys, Let's have some controversial talks here! We almost all love Beograms and lot of us certainly have both tangentials and radials. But if you had to keep only one which would it be? A 5000 or a 5005, a 4000 or a 3000,  and all the others… I'm lucky enough to have both and I find myself switching them because when I use one I want to see the other: the concord arm is a beauty, but the slim 400x is a legend. And because I'm not that specialist, I can't hear a difference; to me it's mostly a matter of look (and available cartridge). And you? why one or the other, what model, for sound? For look? Tell us!

Location: Paris France

AdamS
AdamS
Bronze
642 posts
Posted June 14, 2022 at 13:01 GMT
#692356
I currently own:
  • Beogram 3000 (1960s Acoustical version)
  • Beogram 2000 (1980s)
  • Beogram 5000
  • Beogram 4002
  • Beogram 8002
For sound, I'd keep the Beogram 8002. Looks-wise, I know the 4002 is iconic and I do love it but, personally, my favourite looking is the 1980s Beogram 2000 - I prefer its sleeker plinth and conventional full perspex lid compared to the Beogram 5000.
GE
geoffmartin
Bronze
112 posts
Posted June 15, 2022 at 06:34 GMT
#692371
I use my 42VF often - but that's because it can rotate at 78 RPM...
PLEASE READ before sending me a Personal Message. If you have questions about or problems with B&O equipment, these should be directed through your dealer and/or B&O's Customer Service department. I cannot be a "short circuit", bypassing these communication channels. Thanks -geoff
chartz
chartz
Bronze
240 posts
Posted June 15, 2022 at 11:57 GMT ? Edited June 15, 2022 at 11:59 GMT
#692373
The tangentials are my favourite decks. The Beogram 4000 would be my first choice. Then the 8000, then the classic 1800 (radial). The later 5005 series I find a bit flimsy, but they are reliable and much easier to service.  
Jacques
SO
sonavor
Bronze
265 posts
Posted June 16, 2022 at 01:05 GMT ? Edited June 16, 2022 at 01:08 GMT
#692381
Because I caught the Beovirus many, many years ago (okay, decades ago) I have a pretty large collection of Beogram turntables.  I can't bear to part with any of them as they all perform satisfactorily for me. As was mentioned earlier, the cartridge and stylus are a big (biggest) factor in the resulting sound.  The platter stability and tonearm do play important parts of course but you have to begin with a good cartridge to start comparing the various turntables with. Like Jacques (chartz), I prefer the tangential Beogram models.  My first one was a Beogram 4002 back in the 70's.  I purchased a Beogram 8002 in the 80's.  Since then I have been lucky to acquire Beogram 4000, various types of 4002, 4004, 8000 and 9500 tangential models (all restored).  I have two restored radial Beogram turntables.  A Beogram 3000 (Thorens + B&O) and a Beogram 5000. My favorites to listen to are the Beogram 8002 and Beogram 4002.  Specifically the ones I purchased in the 70's and 80's.  I still have them and they perform like new, having had a bit of restoration work. My favorite B&O cartridges are the MMC 20CL and the MMC-2. I am just as happy listening to the other models however and what I think that means is Bang & Olufsen designed and built really good turntables that hold up over time if taken care of. It's too bad B&O didn't retain their cartridge/stylus business and were still producing them today. -sonavor
vikinguk
vikinguk
Bronze
4309 posts
Posted June 17, 2022 at 10:23 GMT
#692402
1203 radial turntable. Mine's from 1973 ish. Beefier looking arm than later models, but with SP14 it's somehow very futuristic looking, even 50 years on. Graham
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