Description

The Beogram 4000 was a revolutionary turntable in that it incorporated important innovations in every aspect of its design. It may have been derided by traditional hi-fi hobbyists, but the 4000 was taken to heart by wealthy music lovers who appreciated its superb styling and excellent performance and were not put off by its hidden complexity and high price.

The deck featured – for the first time – a properly resolved tangential tracking arm controlled by an electronic servo. Electronic control was also applied to the turntable motor, and the whole arrangement was made completely automatic by digital electronics. The cartridge, meanwhile, fitted directly into the end of the stubby, rigid tonearm and was a miniaturised version of B&O’s successful moving-iron design. As the parts were so small, it was decided the cartridge and stylus should be sold as a sealed, factory aligned assembly. The public was not used to the idea of a non-replaceable stylus so to begin with B&O offered replacements at half price. As well as being a top performer, the Beogram 4000 was an instant design classic, raising the bar in terms of style for its rivals at a stroke.