Beocord 2000 family

Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format, 2x6W

Type numbers: 4130, 4131

The Beocord 2000K was a development of the Beocord Stereomaster. Although visually very similar, a number of important changes had been made to improve the quality and usefulness of the machine. Most of the printed panels had been redesigned around the newer and better transistors that were becoming available, though these panels were made interchangeable with the earlier types. Two new types of microphone amplifier were offered, both with transformer inputs. The two versions were for unbalanced and balanced microphones respectively, the latter being especially useful if long microphone leads were used. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

An automatic stop device was added to the deck so that playback or recording was halted when the tape ran out. This was operated by conductive silver foil attached to the tape. In addition, an extra sensor, built into the entrance guide, stopped the machine if the tape broke and at the end of fast winding. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

A separate level control for multiple recording and echo, concentric with the balance control, was fitted too. This allowed the playback volume through the loudspeakers be adjusted independently from the “sound on sound” recording level. A new type of level meter that was easier to read was introduced too. Internally, the most important change was that the rewind idlers were replaced with a belt. This made it possible to offer a different sized motor pulley that could be used to make the machine suitable for 60Hz mains supplies. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The next stage in the development of this range of machines came with the introduction of the Beocord 2000 De Luxe. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format, 2x6W

An updated form of the Beocord Stereomaster 610T. Technically, the improvements were the same as those made to the Beocord 2000K. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1963-1964) Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format, 2x6W

Type number: 1081

The Beocord Stereomaster was the first in a long line of excellent stereo tape recorders that featured 3 heads, mixing capabilities and all-transistor modular construction. They offered near-professional performance for the home user, though their high price put them out of reach for all but the wealthy few. Throughout the series, these machines were amongst the most expensive items in the B&O range. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

For the capabilities it offered, the Beocord Stereomaster was fairly compact. It came in a neat, wood trimmed cabinet, which was known as the “cassette” version. This confusing title in fact meant that the machine fitted readily into a space provided in B&O radiograms, it is just unfortunate that the word took on other meanings later on in the development of tape recorders. The deck was large enough to accommodate 7” spools, which would allow 45 minutes of high quality stereo recording if normal tape was used at the highest speed. The four-track version doubled this figure as the tape could be turned over, though the narrower tracks meant that the noise performance was not quite as good. At the front of the machine there was a control panel with push buttons and sliding faders, an unusual fitment to domestic equipment at that time. The tape transport was controlled by a single “joystick” lever, which was interlocked to the record switches to prevent accidental erasure of existing recordings. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Because the Beocord Stereomaster had separate heads and separate amplifiers for recording and playback, it was possible to monitor a recording “off the tape” as it was being made. In addition, there were separate stereo preamplifiers for a microphone, a record player and a radio tuner, the outputs of which could be mixed using the sliders and recorded individually or in combination. Finally, a built-in stereo power amplifier of 6W per channel (a good figure for the period) was included for playback through external loudspeakers. This arrangement allowed for great flexibility, and in addition to being able to make superb stereo recordings, the machine could be used to assemble multiple recordings onto one track and as an echo generator. A facility to use the amplifier only, without starting the motor, was provided, so that the Beocord Stereomaster could be used as the centrepiece of a complete Hi-Fi system. The pre-amplifiers were in the form of small plug-in cards and could be exchanged as the user desired. The record player preamplifier was available in two versions, one for a standard crystal pickup and one for Beogram turntables with a magnetic pickup. This density of function in a reasonably compact machine was made possible by the use of transistorised circuitry, it would not have been practical to make such a machine if valves had been used. As with all transistor recorders, moving coil meters were used to show the correct recording level. These were illuminated in white to show the machine was switched on, but changed to red if a recording was being made. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Mechanically, these machines were well designed and sturdy. A single Papst motor was used, complete with a stepped pulley for three speed drive. The speed selector included switches for equalisation, ensuring that recordings were made correctly to the NARTB standard, the same as was used in European recording studios at the time. The tape path included “slack absorbers”, which effectively isolated the tape that was in contact with the heads from jerks and other mechanical disturbances that could result from uneven reeling or prolonged storage. The die-cast head cover was easily removable for cleaning and inspection of the heads. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Beocord Stereomaster quickly gained a reputation for quality and versatility, and become a great success. The format it established continued in production well into the 1970s, the next version being known as the Beocord 2000. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1963-1964) Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format, 2x6W

This machine was technically identical to the Beocord Stereomaster 610K, the difference was that it was supplied in a “luggage” cabinet complete with a latching lid and a carrying handle. The lid was divided into two halves, each of which contained a loudspeaker. These loudspeakers were of a special Philips design that had the magnetic assembly fitted inside the cone rather than behind it, so tapes could safely be left in place without fear of recordings on them being spoiled. The cabinet was banded in polished stainless steel to protect the delicate equipment inside. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1965-1970) Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format, 2x6W

Type numbers: 4136, 4137

For this version of this long running machine, B&O really excelled themselves. Those who thought that the “De Luxe” part of the name just meant a bit more chrome trim or restyled controls would have been in for quite a surprise, for large and important changes had been made in all the important areas of the design. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Most obviously, the sliding faders had been split in two, giving independent control of the left and right channels. An extra stereo fader had been added for “sound on sound” functions, which could also be used to regulate the new “line” level input, intended for the connection of a second recorder or to a quality amplifier such as the Beolab 5000. Because of the split faders, the balance control was no longer necessary and so the design of the two rotary controls was simplified, with one for treble and one for bass. A ¼" stereo headphone socket was also added, fed from the built-in power amplifier. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The two-track model was fitted with an extra head, to allow the playback of four-track tapes. Four-track recordings could not be made with this machine however. The new head was selected using a pushbutton mounted behind the head cover. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

More refinements had been made to the preamplifier modules. The new units for record players and radio tuners featured a two-position switch for two different sensitivities. The record player preamplifier could be used with both crystal and B&O magnetic pickups, eliminating the need to offer two types. The switches could be easily altered through holes in the base of the machine. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Mechanically, changes were minimal, though curiously the belt drive for rewinding that had been introduced with the previous model was discontinued and the arrangement of two idler wheels returned. The mechanical wow and flutter performance, along with the speed accuracy, of the Beocord 2000 De Luxe was guaranteed to reach the standards required for professional use, a considerable achievement for a domestic machine. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

In this form, the Beocord offered a mix of qualities that no similarly priced machine could match. It represented the height of perfection that could be achieved with available technology and offered the quality and flexibility of a professional machine in a compact, domestically acceptable package. The next version, the Beocord 2400, would be the final model in the series. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1966-1970) Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format, 2x6W

This machine was identical to the Beocord 2000K De Luxe, except that it was fitted in a portable ("luggage”) cabinet like that used for the Beocord 2000T and the Beocord Stereomaster 610T. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.