Beocord 1700

Having adopted the Philips cassette format for tape recording with the Beocord 900, B&O then offered a higher quality machine at the top end of the range, the Beocord 1700. Whilst no attempt was made to suggest that any of the cassette recorders could compete with the last open reel machines (e.g. Beocord 1800) in terms of versatility and quality, Beocord 1700 included several features that placed it firmly at the top end of the performance scale. Most important amongst these was the recording head itself, which was of a high density ferrite construction, as opposed to the more typical permalloy type seen in the Beocord 900. This helped to enhance the high frequency response that could be achieved, and a respectable top end figure of 14.5KHz was claimed. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Despite what appearances suggested, the mechanical parts of Beocord 1700 were different to those of Beocord 900 (and hence the bulk of the other cassette recorders and cassette sections designed by B&O in the 1970s). The mechanism was still of Japanese origin, and shared some common parts with the more typical version as seen in Beocord 900, 1100, 1101, Beocenter 1400, 1500, 1600, 4600 and many others, though it was unique in being fitted with an electronically regulated DC motor, a first for B&O. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The layout of the various mechanical parts was different too, and the mechanism was noticeably larger than the other type. Electronic automatic stop for all modes and a three digit memory counter were included for the first time as well, and in use the machine performed well, the large keys having a light and positive mechanical action. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Electronically, Beocord 1700 was a lot more complicated that Beocord 900, hence the larger overall size. Extra circuitry was fitted to enable microphone recordings to be made in either mono or stereo, an unusual feature for a Beocord cassette recorder, and a headphone amplifier was included, though strangely this lacked a volume control of any sort. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

As a final refinement, an optional Dolby B noise reduction module could be fitted, the first noise reduction system of any sort to be offered on a B&O tape recorder. The nature of the module was such that it could be fitted either at the time of purchase or at any time in the future, with no other alterations being required to the rest of the machine. There was a version made with the Dolby unit already installed, this was called the Beocord 2200. Both models were phased out when the Beocord 5000 arrived, though apart from the ferrite head this shares little with its predecessor. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.