Bang and Olufsen Beogram 1700

Send

The Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1700 is a high-end analog audio turntable that was designed and produced by the Danish audio equipment company Bang & Olufsen. It was launched in the early 1970s and quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional sound quality, sleek design, and advanced electronic features. The Beogram 1700 was very expensive at the time, but it became a sought-after item among audiophiles and music enthusiasts.The Beogram 1700 was the successor to the Beogram 1600, and it featured several notable improvements, such as a more powerful, high-torque AC motor, an upgraded tonearm, and a new, one-piece turntable platter made of low-resonance materials. The 'Motorized Cartridge System' (MCS) was a significant innovation, where the cartridge, stylus, and ceramic phono pass filter were mounted together and automatically aligned during setup. This system dramatically improved tracking accuracy and., along with the cartridge's advanced design, resulted in exceptional audio performance.The Beogram 1700 had a distinctive and unique design. It stood tall (35 cm) and cylindrical, reminiscent of a speaker or mic stand. The round platter, where the record was placed, was surrounded by a large black or silver band that was lighted up when the turntable was rotating. The design incorporated an analog disc system display that showed details such as rotational speed, type of record, and bass boost strength, among other things. It was one of the first turntables to include a MC/MM switch for cartridge compatibility and speed control with four settings (33, 45, 78, and EP).The Beogram 1700 remained in production for around a decade, and it became rare and expensive due to its hand-assembled nature, size, price, and its overall popularity. Ownership of this turntable, considered a classic among high-fidelityaudio enthusiasts, has become a status symbol, and today, it is still regarded as a masterpiece of audio engineering and design. Over its lifespan, the Beogram 1700 has been acknowledged by numerous awards, including multiple "Turntable of the Year" awards from Hi-Fi magazines.In summary, the Beogram 1700 is a turntable that represents the culmination of B&O's audio engineering and design philosophy, marked by innovation, craftsmanship, and exceptional sound quality. It's a rare and cherished item that, in many ways, defined the high-end audio industry in the 1970s, and it continues to be regarded as an icon in the world of music reproduction.