Beogram 1800

This little-known turntable was the link between the Beogram 1000 and 1200. It was sold as a quality model with automatic features and made use of a new type of pickup, the SP 10. The SP 10 was a high compliance device that was too sensitive to be used in the Beogram 1000 or any other of the older models, so a new lightweight arm was designed specially for it. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

This arm became one of the key parts of the Beogram 1800. Along with this, an automatic mechanism was designed with a series of cams and linkages that moved the arm and its delicate pickup automatically without the user having to touch it. Operation was very straightforward, all the user had to do was to select the required speed and record size, press the large black button in the centre of the size selector dial and the machine would do the rest. The turntable platter and mat looked similar to those of the Beogram 1000 but were different in detail, for example the centre silver section was a metal pressing instead of a plastic moulding. To prevent resonances this was damped from underneath by a foam rubber disc. The Beogram 1800 was the last new Beogram design to be fitted with a rubber turntable mat; later models experimented with pegs and ribs to support the record. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

A similar motor to that of the Beogram 1000 was used but with slight modifications to the speed change mechanism. This was made possible as there were now only two speeds. The stepped motor pulley was arranged to have the larger diameter section (for 45RPM) at the bottom, in the Beogram 1000 the 45 and 78RPM pulleys are at the top. As with the Beogram 1000 a variable speed function was included and as with the former model a centrifugal governor was used to implement this. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Beogram 1800 was interestingly styled, with a sturdy wooden plinth, a thick die cast metal deck and an unusual clear dust cover framed in brushed aluminium. The latter feature made the white version in particular look very striking, though regardless of clever design touches it was difficult to hide the bulk of this very substantial machine. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Beogram 1800 was intended for use with quality amplifiers such as the Beomaster 3000. However, in case it were to be used with another type of amplifier that could not accommodate a magnetic pickup the GF 4 equaliser/preamplifier could be fitted to boost the output to that which would normally come from a ceramic pickup. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The basic mechanism of the Beogram 1800 was soon combined with a new more compact motor to produce the famous Beogram 1200. The true successor to the Beogram 1800 however was the Beogram 3000 which followed a few years later. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.