[Hibbsy]

Hey everyone...
I recently found a B&O turntable on the side of the road (It was thrown out).
So, I grabbed it and took it home...

It turns out, it is the Beogram 1800 - the model made from 1968-72....Old! but looks nice...
I am currently fixing it up a little - cleaning the bearings, resoldering and so on. It has a problem playing at the correct speed - too slow - seems to be slipping the belt, so does anyone know where I can get replacement belts? Round type...
And I'm in Australia - any vinyl stores down here?
The catridge and stylus seem alright (haven't played an actual record yet, due to the speed problem), but I feel a new catridge could be good - again, anyone in Aus?
How does B&O stack up in the turntable stakes? Other than it is a tad old....
Should I look at another, newer player? Suggestions? I intend using vinyl to complement my digital system/s. I feel CD's and vinyl can co-exist quite happily...So, no expensive record players!!

On vinyl...I recently inherited a HMV radio/gramophone from my grandmother...Full valves and a big cabinet of a thing. Works very nicely too..but not too hifi!!
Now, the catridge/stylus really does need to be changed. (Not that I'll be using the gramophone much....just for 78s)...problem, is, where do I go for a replacement?
Also, the stylus is interesting...it is double sided - is one side for 78s or what? Or just a method for getting longer life out of one stylus?

Many thanks...
Ben

 

[Inkmo]

Edit: Dang, went and posted all that info forgetting whose forum I was in. Of course, you oughta first ask Todd if he can get you one of those belts.

yay for the find! Good luck fixing it up. I wish I knew anything about B&O's stuff aside from their (arse) headphones. At least all their stuff looks totally badass! Old TTs aren't a bad thing. If you have '70's gear that is in proper working order, it can be quite good.

I did a little bit of googling and found this pretty quickly. Pop a fresh belt in there and see if starts playing correctly. If not, then I guess you're going to have to delve into the depths of the motor

.

Another good place to ask is audiokarma.org since those guys deal primarily in vintage hifi components. They're down, at the moment, though. Database corruption. They're sort of camping here for the time being. I had to reregister there, so it is technically a different forum, but all the AK folks are there.

 

[djbnh]

I recommend you try posting your questions in The Vinyl Engine forums, great resource for all things vinyl. Best of luck with your foray into this rewarding area of audio.

 

[memepool]

B&O made some very good turntables. There were two 1800's one from the early 1970's and one from the 80's. The later one is probably better but they are both fine turntables. The earlier one is a belt/ idler drive the latter is just belt.
The earlier has a coil spring supended subchassis, the later leaf springs.
The easiest way to tell them apart is that the later one has a three raised ring design to spport the record on the platter whereas the earlier one has little nubs at various points.
The best place to get a replacement stylus is The Soundsmith http://www.sound-smith.com/ who specialise in vintage Beograms and Stylii. They do a retipping service which is quite reasonable for the older models.