Over time, many Beogram devices have developed corroded DIN or RCA plugs. It’s a good idea to replace these old connectors with new, gold-plated ones. This specific Beogram 4002 (5513) came with RCA connectors.

I typically use large, modern, high-quality metal plugs for replacements. However, this project had a unique requirement: the Beogram needed to connect to a Beolab 5000. The Beolab 5000 has a compact compartment for its connectors, which creates limitations on plug size.

I chose gold-plated, all-metal Rean plugs that were short enough to fit the Beolab’s compartment. However, these plugs, like many others, have oversized cable exits. While this might accommodate the recent trend of using very thick cables, I find this excessive and prefer a cleaner look. To address this, I designed small 3D-printed inserts that would create a more streamlined appearance and provide a way to color-code the plugs.

Here’s a photo of the soldered plugs:

And here’s the final assembly:

The result is aesthetically pleasing. Here’s how the plugs look when connected to my Beolab 5000:

It’s a tight fit, but there’s still enough space to manage the cables. The last step for this Beogram restoration is to refinish the hood, which has some noticeable scratches.