BeoCenter 1400
Manufactured: 1973 - 1975
Designer: Jacob Jensen
Colours: Rosewood, Teak
Beocenter 1400 - "Each unto his own taste" - especially with music.
The amplifier section of Beocenter 1400 offered qualities which were unusual for a combination product in this price-range. Frequency range was 20-30.000 Hz, with harmonic distortion of less than 0.5 % at maximum output. Power output was 2 x 20 watts RMS or 80 watts total music. The technical data of the FM section, like those of the amplifier fulfilled the DIN 45500 high-fidelity norms by a wide margin. A wide frequency range was obtained both on mono and stereo reception. The balanced light indicator was a simple but effective aid to accurate tuning. The automatic frequency control (AFC) facility allowed precision tuning.
Receiving distant stations was no problem on Beocenter 1400 owing to the receiver's high sensitivity (better than 1.8 uV IEC). The compact cassette section had its own operating facilities: ON/OFF switch and piano key push buttons for recording and play-back functions. You could switch between chromium dioxide and normal tapes. Recording level was controlled by a handy slider on a numerical scale and light indicators: Red or green light showed overloading or satisfactory recording level. Tape-heads were of super permalloy, an extremely durable material which ensures a long useful lifetime. Wow and flutter was less than ±0.28% (JIS norm).
Signal-to-noise ratio was better than 50 dB with chromium dioxide tapes. Bang & Olufsen placed emphasis on good station separation in the AM section (long and medium waves) without sacrificing sound quality. A slider control aided radio tuning. Beocenter 1400 had sockets for a record player, headphones and loudspeakers. An extra tape or cassette-recorder could also be connected. Beocenter 1400 utilised the (then) latest electronic components: Darlington transistors, field effect transistors, integrated circuits and ceramic filters.
When combined with Beovox 1702 loudspeakers and/or Beogram 1203, the system was known as Beosystem 1400.
BeoCenter 1400 Product Specifications
Type: 2604 (1973 - Oct 1975)
Power output: RMS 2 x 20 watts / 4 ohms
2 x 19 watts / 8 ohms
Power output music: 2 x 40 watts / 4 ohms
2 x 25 watts / 8 ohms
Speaker impedance: 4 ohms
Harmonic Distortion: < 0.1 %
Intermodulation: < 1.0 %
Frequency Response: 20 - 30,000 Hz
Bass control: +/- 17 dB
Treble control: +/- 14 dB
FM tuner: Range 87.5 - 104 MHz
AM tuner: Ranges LW 147 - 350 Hz
MW 520 - 1610 kHz
Tape transport:
Wow and flutter: < 0.35 %
Speed deviation: < 1.5%
Fast tape motion: 90 sec.
Record/playback data:
Frequency range: 40 - 8,000 Hz
40 - 12,500 Hz
Power supply: 110 - 130 - 220 - 240 V
Power consumption 15 - 120 W
Dimensions H x W x D: 8.5 x 66 x 26cm
Weight 8.6 kg
Related Products
- BeoGram 1203 Record Deck
- BeoMaster 901 Tuner/Amplifier
- BeoVox 1802 Passive Loudspeakers
- BeoVox 1700/1702 Passive Loudspeakers
- BeoVox 2702 Passive Loudspeakers
- BeoVox 3702 Passive Loudspeaker
Created: 2nd December 2006
Modified: 26th May 2008
Author Notes:
Beoworld says:
Very neat casseiver based around the Beomaster 901 and Beocord 900 in a package regarded as a Jensen classic. Not designed for the audiophile today but a wonderful looking and elegant device. Due to the lack of interest in cassettes these days, the BC1400 is often available for very little outlay and is a wonderful choice for a spare room. Music and art in one product!
