Spinning up vinyl on a Beogram is always a memorable experience. The precision of tangential tracking together with a sleek concord style moving coil cartridge signalling ’33’ rpm from red seven segment LED display at the end of the control arm completes the theatre.
Jacob Jensen’s design echoes through the seventies and eighties with strong aluminium lines and angled geometry giving an unmistakable style. And it all still works. The Beogram 3300 here is paired to a later Beomaster 9000 twin Beovox S45s and sounds excellent. A moving coil cartridge –MMC4 – is amplified by the RIAA equalised pre-amp in the BM9000 as was in the Beomaster 3300 from which it was intended. This cartridge tracks at just over 1g so it’s kind to vinyl along with the parallel tracking.
Electronic control of the tone arm allows remote operation via the integrated data link connection included in the DIN plug which also feeds the analogue audio signals. So it’s possible to move to the next track or go back and play a previous favourite without lifting the lid and moving the arm manually. Of course the tone arm is sneered at by audiophile loving SME’s but it does produce remarkably good sound and makes playing vinyl very easy. And there’s no distortion from tracking error with the tangential movement echoing the lathe master.
Beograms, like this 3300 or technically identical 3000 predecessor, are worth hunting down while you can still find them. If money is no object you can even buy a recreated limited edition Beogram 4000c from B&O. Used 4000s have been acquired by Bang & Olufsen and undergone extensive refurbishment for a second life. So if you have one that is no longer working — don’t throw it away!
Beogram 3300 spec:
Tonearm: Tangential Optimum Pivot Point
Motor: DC Servo-controlled
Tracking weight: < 1.2g
Wow and flutter: < 0.06 %
Rumble DIN weighted: >80 dB
Rumble DIN unweighted: >55 dB
Speeds: 33-45 rpm
Speed deviation: <+/- 0.2 %
Power supply: 190 – 265 V
Power consumption: ~ 10 W
Dimensions W: 42 x H: 7.5 x D: 32.5cm
Weight: 5.3 kg
Manufactured: 1987 – June 1990
28/01/2025 at 10:36 am
If your Beogram 3000, 3300 is having problems tracking see the comments to Bill’s question in B&O Beomaster 3000 Faults
19/01/2026 at 10:13 am
Hi Rick,
It’s not about a Beogram 3000 but about a beautiful Beogram 1200. When I bought it the motor made some wired loud noise and the start mechanic wasn´t working properly. I disassembled the motor, changed both bearings (which were completely dry), installed a new belt and adjusted the mechanic.
The motor is running perfectly now (without any noise at all – a dram) and the automatic start works as well and it’s really a dream to listen to my old record BUT …
… the player runs a bit too fast – approx. 34 rpm – and I cannot fine tune it with the wheel on the left back because it is already on the position for the slowest speed (max. clockwise).
How does this fine tuning works with the friction drive? Does the fine tuning adjust the idler wheel a bit higher to become slower? So less friction means slower? Or the other way round?
The drive roller is on it´s place. The idler well is the original one. Many thanks in advance for any hint.
Best
Jens
P.S. Sorry to hijack this threat for another Beogram than a 3000.
19/01/2026 at 10:34 am
Hello Jens, as by chance I’ve just serviced a Beogram 1203 that was running slow. I think the mechanics, although simpler on the 1203, work the same way on the 1200. The motor has a tapered pulley which the pinch roller engages. The turntable speed is dependent on the height of the roller against the pulley. The fine control on the side moves it up and down slightly – it’s not a change in friction. Check the motor is at the right height – the service manual shows settings and adjustments.
I’ll likely add a post about the 1203 at some point as I found strange behaviour from different replacement belts. Also a failing suspension on the SP14 stylus confused.
19/01/2026 at 12:08 pm
Thank you very much Rick for your immediate reply.
I think I got it … so in this case the idler wheel (pinch roller) has to move a bit higher (or the motor with the pulley a bit lower) to get the record player slower?
I´ll also have a closer look into the manual as I didn´t find anything about this fine adjustment or hight of the motor. At first I was thinking the rubber on the idler wheel is too old and used and lead to this phenomenon.
Thanks again – best, Jens
19/01/2026 at 1:20 pm
Yes, the higher the idler wheel is, the slower the turntable spins. You can see it move up when selecting 33.3rpm and down for 45. The rubber does harden over time and can befit from a touch of very fine sand paper to remove any shine. Hardened idler usually results in slower speed though as it slips.
19/01/2026 at 1:55 pm
Okay – now I understand! Thanks again. Really appreciated!
I’ll have a look at the construction and will let you know about the result!
19/01/2026 at 7:56 pm
Hi Rick, I found the reason for the speed issue.
I disassembled the turntable and had a look at the tapered pulley and it seems that there was a bit too much space between the pulley and the bearing. After the removal of the pulley I saw that the bearing has a collar (which the original one had not) which is approx 1-2 mm high. Because of this collar of course the pulley is too high.
It seems that I ordered the wrong set of bearings. There is also one where both bearings have no collar. So I have to order the right set and when I’m in the mood to open the record player and it´s motor again I’ll will exchange the wrong bearing. For the while I’ll enjoy it running a bit too fast 😉
Thanks again for your support. It´s always a pleasure.
19/01/2026 at 10:41 pm
Always good to find the reason. At least you can listen to up-beat music!
20/01/2026 at 3:08 pm
🙂 Bowies Earthling sounds pretty – ahm – strange with 34rpm …
… but I know myself – this will only last for a short time. I am too ambitious to leave it like it is. My only fear is that I “destroy” something which was fine so far 😉 You know what I mean …
26/01/2026 at 2:37 pm
Today the new bearings arrived. I replaced the wrong one and … it works perfectly fine now! It´s a real pleasure to listen (and look) to the Beogram now! Thanks again for your help & support!
26/01/2026 at 3:43 pm
Excellent news. It’s good to know replacement bearings are available. Did you buy them from https://www.dksoundparts.com/product-category/beogram/beogram-1200/ I wonder?
26/01/2026 at 4:32 pm
Yes – I did! Perfect parts and service. I ordered all parts for the Beogram and also the belts for my Beocord 1200 there. I also ordered the big Caps and a so called service pack for the Beomaster.
26/01/2026 at 5:18 pm
Thanks, I’ve included DK Sound Parts in my Useful Links so I remember!