Beogram CD X family

(1986-1987) Compact disc player

Type numbers: 5121, 5122, 5123, 5125

A compact disc player designed to work with any Beomaster or Beocenter with a Tape socket, or a turntable connection designed for use with a Beogram with a built in RIAA preamp. Despite the sleek looks, the CD X is really a Philips CD104, a conventional looking boxy machine, and was built in the Philips factory in Belgium. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Despite being based on 14 bit architecture, the pre-eminence of Philips in the digital audio field at the time blessed the CD X with superior performance figures to the Japanese based Beogram CD 50, though it lacked the latter’s remote control and Datalink possibilities. The claims of universal compatibility with earlier systems are certainly true, it even works perfectly with the Beomaster 900! For those users with no spare sockets left, the CD/Tape adaptor (see accessories section) allows one to “break in” to the tape recorder lead and connect the CD player. This unit fits under the side of the CD X, and has a little push button to select between the two sources. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1988-1989) Compact disc player, Datalink

Type numbers: 5141, 5142, 5143, 5145

The Beosystem 3300 was the first range of models in this line to include a compact disc player as an integral part of the system. Unlike the Beosystem 3000, which could use the matching Beogram CD X through the TP2 connection, the Beosystem 3300 had a socket specifically for a CD player with Datalink, and because of this the CD player could be operated by remote control. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Beogram CD 3300 itself was a variant of Beogram CDX 2. The two models differ technically only in the control panel, and even then the two versions were so similar that the same printed circuit board was used for both, the components fitted determine the model. The most obvious difference of course was that Beogram CD 3300 was fitted with Datalink, and so as well as a different control panel the signal lead was fitted with a 7 pin DIN plug instead of two RCA connectors. Other than in these details and differences in colours and trims, Beogram CD 3300 and CDX 2 can be considered as identical. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Beogram CD 3300 was withdrawn along with the rest of the 3300 system. The replacement, the Beogram CD 3500, was a very different machine. It had a far more compact chassis, allowing the cabinet to be made the same size as that of the matching Beocord 3500 cassette recorder. Additionally, the new mechanical arrangements made it possible to hang Beogram CD 3500 vertically on a wall, along with the rest of the system. Finally, although similar Philips chips were used, Beogram CD 3500 was not made by Philips but by B&O themselves. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1988-1989) Compact disc player

Type numbers: 5161, 5162

Since the original Beogram CD X was based very firmly on the working parts of the Philips CD104, and manufactured in one of Philips’ factories, when the 104 series of machines was discontinued it became necessary to redesign the CD X. While the outside appearance of the CDX 2 differs from the original model only slightly, internally they were completely different. The new model was based on the Philips CDM2/10 mechanism and the then latest version of their OEM decoder/processor/servo panel, a popular combination capable of excellent results. These units also formed the CD section of the Beocenter 9000. Additional B&O designed (but Philips built) panels for power, control panel and lid/tray control completed the machine. The assembly was, as with the original CD X, still built around the chassis casting of the Philips CD100, the first mass produced CD player. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Outwardly, an obvious difference was that the power switch had been removed. In place of this, the play sensor and an extra touch control were used to switch the machine in and out of standby. A red LED indicator confirmed when the machine was connected to a power source. In order to use this simple method of control, a complex 4 contact relay was needed. This again was also employed in the Beocenter 9000. Other than this, the rest of the controls and external features would have been familiar to the owner of the original CD X. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The move to the new Philips chipset meant that the CDX 2 had a full 16 bit decoder (the original CD X was a 14 bit machine). It is surprising then that the two sound very similar! The digital and servo sections of the CDX 2 use identical chips to Beogram CD 5500, the latter offered improved performance only due to its power supply arrangements and excellent analogue stages. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

One disappointing aspect of these machines compared to the original CD X was the reliability of the laser. Failure of the laser in the CD X is almost unknown, whereas it most common in all machines (not just B&O) that use the CDM2 series mechanism. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

By the time Beogram CDX 2 was withdrawn, all the current systems on offer included a CD player, so there was no need any more to offer a separate model not tied to a particular system. Because of this, it was not replaced in the range. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.