Beocord 2400 family

(1970-1971) Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, two or four track format

Type numbers: 4132, 4133, 4138

The Beocord 1800 was offered as a simplified version of the Beocord 2400, for those who did not require the power amplifiers or the mixing facilities. It was intended for use with additional high quality equipment, such as the Beolab 5000 system. In this role, it effectively replaced the Beocord 1500 De Luxe. In most respects it was similar to the Beocord 2400, though an important difference was that it was offered in both two and four-track versions, the two-track version having an extra head for the replay of four-track recordings. Unlike the previous Beocord 1500 De Luxe, a headphone socket was provided for monitoring purposes, and sliding controls similar to those of the more expensive version were fitted. Underneath, the connections to the amplifier were duplicated in RCA phono sockets—to fill the space left but the absence of loudspeaker connections perhaps? The Beocord 1800 benefited from the same silicon transistors and die-cast chassis as the Beocord 2400, and was capable of outstanding performance when used with quality equipment and low noise tape. It was perhaps the finest of all B&O tape recorders, though does not seem to have sold in particularly large numbers. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The new range of compact, upright models included a replacement for the Beocord 1800: the Beocord 1200. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1970-1971) Stereo tape recorder, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ IPS, four track format, 2x10W

Type numbers: 4129, 4134, 4135

The Beocord 2400 represented the final version of this long running series. Externally, little had altered. The tape deck was now black (instead of silver metallic), the push button switches were now metal instead of plastic and all the bright metal parts were of a satin, as opposed to a polished, finish. The very observant may have noted that there were now two microphone sockets (to allow two mono microphones to be used as a stereo pair), a switch had appeared next to the headphone socket to allow the automatic stop system to be turned off and that the mains lead was now permanently attached (previously it had plugged in) and was stowed in a compartment in the base of the machine. Other details included a general tidying of the printed lettering and finally the level meters had proper scales calibrated in dB rather than simple “high/low” markings. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Inside however, the Beocord 2400 represented the largest change made during the development of this series of models. Although of a similar layout, the chassis was now die-cast (formally it had been made of pressed sheet) and the circuitry employed silicon transistors, a lower noise alternative to the germanium types that had previously been employed. An odd detail of this change was that contrary to normal silicon practice, PNP-type transistors were used extensively, along with negative power supplies. The built in power amplifier was now more powerful, producing 10W per channel. The automatic stop system was redesigned, and while the stop foil sensor remained in a very similar to that fitted to previous models, the mechanical tape-break switch was replaced with an optical device, which could be switched off if not required. The circuit for this, which had previously used a sensitive relay to operate the stop coil, now used a thrystor, a new type of semiconductor device that had only recently become available. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Tape heads of a new design were fitted. They were “parabolically ground” and claimed to offer better head to tape contact. Improvements in the heads and in tapes meant that excellent performance was now available using the four-track format. The luggage cabinet was no longer offered, although the standard cabinet was largely unchanged. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Despite being effectively a development of a well established range, judges at the 1969 Hanover Fair awarded the prestigious “Industrie Forme” award to the Beocord 2400 for its outstanding industrial design. It would be the last of the line however, a new model was in development that was more compact and offered the possibility of vertical operation. This would later be launched as the Beocord 1600. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.