B and O Turntables

I feel that just about all of the B&O 'tables that are generally available in North America, and produced after about the mid-1970s, are equal or better in performance than an entry-level Rega such as the P3 or Planar 3, and yes, I have directly compared them. That is, provided that the B&O is in good working condition . . .

Having said that, some are better than others. I'm personally using a Beogram 4004 with an MMC20CL right now, and it's outstanding - better than sooo many "accredited" audiophile turntables. But this machine dates from the late 1970s, and I've seen lots and lots of BG4004s and 4002s . . . and they usually need some skilled work to bring them back to their original performance.

The BG8000/8002 are also very good, and generally a little more consistent than the 4002/4004s, but again, restoration/repair is NOT a job for a beginner. The Beogram TX is based on the BG8000, just with a simple belt drive instead of the eddy-current magnetic rim drive.

If you're not wanting to have it worked-over and brought back up to spec, I'd recommend a later-model linear-tracking turntable, i.e. the BG5005, BG5500, or TX2 to use your own phono preamp, or a BG4500, BG6500, or BG7000 with a (very good) internal phono preamp. Most of the time these 'tables are either obviously broken, or they work perfectly.

If you're interested in a 4000/8000 series 'table, then I'd recommend Soundsmith as a great resource for repair (and of course cartridges for all B&O 'tables). But I'd definately stay away from the early-1970s models with synchronous mains-voltage motors, i.e. Beogram 3000, BG1200, and BG1900.

In any case, a good B&O turntable/cartridge will give you the best tracking performance in the business, and some of the most effective suspension isolation . . . all with virtually zero setup and the convienence of automatic operation.

If you're willing to have one repaired/restored, then I'd recommend (US models):

Beogram 4002
Beogram 4004
Beogram 8000
Beogram 8002

I would consider the TX one step down from these, and the RX two steps down. But they're still good, so if you get one at a good price, it's worth it. The RX2 and TX2 are different, newer, and probably won't need nearly as much in terms of service as compared to a RX or TX, but are in general not quite as nicely built - B&O was anticipating the CD taking over when they designed these turntables. But a TX2 is still a fantastic-sounding machine, especially with a MMC1 or MMC2.

Kirkus. Btw, I never imagine you own B&O,

I'm a huge fan of Bang & Olufsen, and own piles of the stuff . . . actually I own a B&O store. I just don't discuss their current product on Audiogon because I like to participate as an individual as opposed to a business, and want to avoid a conflict of interest. It's also a very misunderstood company in the specialty-audio community . . .

But anyway, the I've mounted MMC20CLs in other tonearms, and been very impressed (usually SME IIIs). I also used to use a TD124, and had two armboards with salvaged B&O tonearms - one from a Beogram 3000 where I used the SP12, and another from a Beogram 3400 where I used the MMC20CL. I also used the SMEIII on the TD124 with the MMC20CL. But I've never really tried them on medium- or high-mass tonearms . . .

I generally feel that my current Beogram 4004 is the best, most balanced setup for this cartridge, and it has by far the best tracking performance. On the 124, I always felt the bass was better, and there was a bit more impact and dynamics, but it seemed to give at least as much away in terms of clarity and detail.