This Beocord 5000 is the second cassette deck from Bang & Olufsen to bear this name. The original Beocord 5000, a Type 47xx model, was manufactured in the late 1970s. While distinct, both are high-quality cassette decks.
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The Beocord 5000 Type 4923 aligns with the Beomaster 5000 Type 2323 and the CD50 Beosystem 5000 components in terms of size and design. Control and display access are provided both on the front panel and through a master remote control. The audio components within the system were designed to stack neatly.
A convenient mechanical feature allows for the removal of the top cover for maintenance. Loosening two screws at the back, sliding them upward, and then retightening them releases the cover.
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Here’s the Beocord with the cover removed.
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Four plastic transport locks are located on the bottom cover of the Beocord 5000. These locks secure the sliding cassette deck unit during transportation.
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The locks are turned to their “Open” position, removed, and stored in their designated slots.
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It’s not uncommon to find these transport locks missing in used Beocord 5000 Type 4923 units. Therefore, it’s a positive aspect that this particular unit retains its original locks.
Once the transport locks are removed, the sliding chassis of the Beocord 5000 becomes operational. As previously noted, the Beosystem 5000 components were designed for stackability. To accommodate this, the Beocord 5000 slides forward, extending from the cabinet to expose the controls and cassette tray. A motor and belt mechanism within the Beocord 5000 facilitates the movement of this sliding chassis.
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This Beocord arrived in a non-functional state, presenting the task of restoration.
Similar to other Beosystem 5000 components, the Beocord incorporates a service position that allows technicians to work on the unit conveniently.
The first step in placing the Beocord 5000 into its service position involves removing the plastic panel covering the cassette control area. Pressing in two plastic tabs on either side of the panel allows it to be lifted.
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With the panel lifted and a single cable unplugged, it can be set aside.
The next step is to remove the bright red plastic clips, as shown, to release the main circuit board for servicing. There are a total of six clips; in the photo below, one has already been removed.
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With the plastic panel removed, two screws on each side of the Beocord’s front panel become accessible. Removing these allows the front display panel to tilt forward.
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The bundle of cables connecting the cassette mechanism’s tape heads to the main circuit board is secured by a couple of plastic clips, highlighted in the photo above. These cables need to be released from the clamps to allow for movement when the main circuit board is tilted upward into its service position.
Additionally, two metal rods securing the circuit board need to be released from their locked positions and tilted out of the way. The front connector to the display panel also needs to be disconnected.
Finally, the main circuit board can be lifted and placed into slots on the cabinet’s side, putting it into the service position.
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On the backside, two metal braces can be tilted forward to lock the main circuit board upright.
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Now, the cassette transport assembly can be removed for inspection.
Unsurprisingly, a broken belt is found. Fortunately, the belts haven’t degraded into a sticky, tar-like substance, which would have required extensive cleaning. The task at hand is simply to replace the old belts with new ones.
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Here’s the belt responsible for opening and closing the Beocord 5000’s sliding chassis. This will be replaced as well.
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The owner of this Beocord 5000 originally purchased it, along with the other Beosystem 5000 components, back in the 1980s. The system appears well-maintained. Therefore, no major electrical problems are anticipated. The electronic restoration plan for this cassette deck is to replace the electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. This area has been known to cause failures in some units after thirty-five years.
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As I didn’t have the specific axial electrolytic capacitors in stock, I’ll begin cleaning the interior and replacing the belts while waiting for the new capacitors to arrive from Mouser Electronics.