Hello dear forum members!
I was looking to fiddle around with BeoSystem for a long time now and finally got my hands on a 2500. Usual problems as not closing doors and not spinning tape, already ordered a replacement, so I am hopeful on that front. However there is a problem with CD, it shows on the screen, I can see how many minutes there are left, I can skip between tracks but there is no sound from the speakers. I can't check tape deck for obvious reasons, but radio functions without problems, plays loud and clear. Previous owner told me that there was a BeoLink 5000 previously, but he has recycled it since it has broken. I did my research on this forum and it appears that there are some options, which could be locked and unlocked only from remote. My question is if someone has encountered something like this before, if so, could it be locked to some setting from remote? I initially didn't think that it could be laser failing, but could there be a probability of this being a problem or some capacitors on the board? I have had something like this one Sony CMT-EX 1 once and cleaning lens has helped, however I cant get to it without disassembling the unit first, so I thought I would first ask knowledgable people here :)
Thanks a lot in advance!
Best regards,
Denys
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BeoSystem 2500 CD spinning and showing information but no sound
13 replies
Hi and welcome to Beoworld!
That's a strange fault, and I suspect that there is nothing wrong with the laser since it is tracking and displaying on the screen. I am not aware of any functions on this model that are only available from the remote, or indeed 'lockable'.
I would look first at the audio signal connections from the CD Servo PCB to the CD Interface PCB, and also from Interface to Pre-Amp PCB. If the laser unit has been repaired in the past it could simply be a case of a disconnected plug.
Do you have the service manual? This should help you to identify the correct boards and connections to check. Also, is the CD linear tracking (straight path across disc) or the older curved tracking version?
Location: Warwickshire, UK
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Hi there!
I have service manuals in German and English. German version just looks nicer and it is not a problem for me since I can speak German. I haven't yet started to study the manuals (they appear to be 90+ pages), so not really familiar as of now. If you could hint me to exact chapters which could be useful to checking those connections - I would greatly appreciate it.
My thoughts about this function being locked with remote came after researching some posts abound BeoSystem 2500 I found on this forum and archived version, where some problems like timers were discussed. Was not sure if this could be the case so thought that asking wouldn't hurt. My version is the one with curved tracking, guaranty papers mention June 1992, so this is somewhere in the middle of production to my understanding. It says Type 2601 on the back of the unit with another sticker saying Type 2201, my guess was that this Type number is in relation to the BeoSystem as a whole and not BeoCenter itself, though I would be happy to know more =)
Since I had basically the same issues on Sony CD player I thought that dirt or dust on the laser could be to blame as well, how deep of disassembly is needed to clean the laser itself and not the lens which is seen from the front side?
I am excited to get this thing fixed, lubricated and enjoy it in its full glory. It is my first experience with B&O and I am so far really pleased with feeling of the unit and speakers =)
Best regards!
UPD. I have found the thread where you and Madskp seem to have closely related problems to my unit. Read through those threads and all those mentioned in them, appears that this CD problem could be not that small as I thought. At least now I have a bit of understanding on what should be done and in what order. In. my head looks something like this: replace all the belts, clean the laser eye, probably put it in test mode and check for errors, check all the possible connections and try to spot any cold solder joints while doing that, if the problem persists - then I will need to dig deeper and search for some failing caps. Seems like a small side repair in the sea of more complex ones I have already lying around is not so easy after all, but I will do my best =)
If your BeoCenter 2500 has the curved laser then it is more like the one that is the subject of my later thread here: 
Location: Warwickshire, UK
My B&O Icons:
Hi once again!
I first decided to change the tape belt and have some problems with it. While cleaning the previous belt which basically became a black goo which covered whole assembly, the two metal spinning parts fell out and i can't figure out how to put the white plastic cogs with black lever together in a way that they should be. Could someone help me on that?
thanks! Login to view image Login to view image Login to view image
I have had a bit of a search but can't find any info specific to those white cogs. A similar tape deck was also fitted in other B&O systems so you may be able to find something related to (for example) BeoCenter 9300 tape deck. There are a few photos (and videos) online but nothing showing the white cogs exposed.
Not sure if the third photo in this post helps (actually refers to BC8000):
Location: Warwickshire, UK
My B&O Icons:
Login to view image Login to view image Login to view imageGot to work a bit more on it today. I didn't manage to get the right black cover off yesterday, with a bit more power it popped off today, it was way more stiff than other one for some reason. Nothing which brings me closer to the laser just yet. I am not sure that my version is the same one as the one mentioned in your post, or i just didn't get to the servo board. Tried a test mode today, everything works as it should in my understanding, all commands work normally, tries to focus and moves freely, plays disk and no errors, but still no sound. I suppose it could be this 47uF 16V capacitor you mentioned in your thread, but honestly i still feel like the problem comes from dirty laser eye. Since i still didn't get to laser servo board i can't say for sure about connections, but the one i saw (ribbon cable which goes to a perpendicular board on the main one on the right) is fine. I will still get a bit deeper into it since i need to go back to this damn tape cogs. Will keep you updated on how it goes, here are some photos in a meantime. It is overall a nice experience fixing it, problem with the deck is such a stupid thing to happen lol.
I really don't think that your problem is related to the laser or the 47uF capacitor, because if faulty I think this would prevent your laser from reading the CD at all, whereas yours plays and shows track data; the latter can only come from the laser reading digital data correctly. The CD audio output is also digital data until PCB8 carries out Digital-to-Analogue conversion).
You haven't included a photo of the front unfortunately so I can't compare, but this is what my BC2300 looks like (PCB8 exposed on the right):
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I would look initially to see if there is an audio output from the board shown above. I have annotated the PCB with a red circle and from looking at the service manual I think this is where the audio output leaves PCB8 - there is probably a small (2-pin?) connector (P65) behind the red circle which take the CD audio to the pre-amp/input selector - probably black wires.
If removing PCB8 to investigate, be careful of the ribbon connector about half way up on the left hand side. This receives the digital data from the CD laser assembly, and should also be checked for security.
Location: Warwickshire, UK
My B&O Icons:
Thought i would quickly open it up and see for myself. I attach more photos of the unit. I have not disassembled it further as of just yet, Login to view image Login to view image Login to view image Login to view image Login to view image Login to view image
There is indeed a 2 pin connector at the place you marked, it seems to me like it has never previously been taken apart, so it would wonder me if any connections would be to blame. Should i check the voltages on those pins you marked when i get unit connected enough again?
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