Beolab 1700

This stereo amplifier matched the Beomaster 1700 tuner. The naming of this model suggested a continuation of the earlier Beolab 5000 with its professional standard of build and enormous power output. Nothing could be further from the truth however, as the Beolab 1700 was no more powerful that the amplifier sections of the other receivers in the contemporary range. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Beolab 1700 was intended for those building a system on a budget, for whom a complete Beomaster receiver would be too expensive to buy all in one go, or for people with an existing system which could benefit from a better amplifier. With persistence, an attractive set of matching components could be built up around the Beolab 1700 amplifier, the Beomaster 1700 tuner, the Beocord 1700 cassette deck, the Beogram 1202 turntable and the Beovox 2702 loudspeakers were all suitable additions. The first three units could be stacked on top of one another neatly, a first for B&O. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The amplifier itself was of attractive, slim proportions and equipped with all the usual facilities. 2x20W was not particularly powerful at the time, but in truth it was adequate for all but the largest rooms. Inputs were provided for a turntable with magnetic pickup, a tuner and a tape recorder. Two pairs of loudspeakers could be used, either in separate rooms or in an “ambiophonic” setup in a single room. Switchable loudness, a feature not normally seen on smaller B&O amplifiers, was also fitted. As was usual for B&O, sliding controls were used for volume, balance, treble and bass. One improvement over the Beolab 5000 and the Beomaster 901 was the fitting of a headphone socket, conveniently located on the front panel. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Beolab 1700 was the last integrated amplifier to be offered by B&O. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.