BEO.ZONE

BeoGram CD5500

BeoGram Compact Disk Players

Production: 1986 - 05/1990

Documents: Service Manual, Owners Manual

Following on from Beogram CD50 which was manufactured by Aiwa, the new Beogram CD5500 was based upon Philips’ mechanics. B&O had had a liaison with Philips during the design of their Beogram CDX some years earlier, so this how their relationship first formed. However, Beogram CD5500 was totally designed from the stands up by Bang & Olufsen using what was available at the time and was a far cry from that which had preceded it.

Whereas the CD50 was rather ‘clunky’ with certain idiosyncracies, Beogram CD5500 behaved totally differently.  An almost-silent ’swoosh’ was heard upon opening the drawer.  The word ‘drawer’ is actually a wrong description as it was really nothing of the sort.  Rather, it was a machine-created slimline slotted panel - not much bigger than the CD itself- which popped out to greet you, and waited there patiently until such time as you carefully placed a disc in the disc and pressed  ’Play’ when the panel would glide in once more, with another quiet ‘whoosh’, taking the compact disc with it.  Play started immediately with your active speakers springing into life at the same moment, as if by magic. The whole CD player was a delight to use and behaved extremely satisfactorily for most people the whole length of the product’s life.

Out of everything that Bang & Olufsen has ever produced, the CD5500 is a wonderful example of what can be achieved. Beogram CD5500 remained with the stacking system product family right up to the end of the life of Beogram CD7000, in one shape or another.  A beautiful and reliable product and comes highly recommended.

BeoGram CD5500 technical specifications

Types: 
5131 (1986 - May 1990) 
AUS 5135 (1986 - Aug 1989) 
GB 5132 (1986 - May 1990) 
J 5134 (1986 - Jan 1990) 
USA 5133 (1986 - Jan 1990) 
Frequency range: 3 - 20,000 Hz +/- 0.3 dB 
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 100 dB / 110 dB A-weighted 
Dynamic range: > 96 dB 
Harmonic distortion incl. noise: < 0.0025% at 0 dB; 
< 0.025% at -20 dB 
Channel separation: > 101 dB 
Channel difference: < 0.08 dB 

Converter system: 2 x 16 bit, 4 x oversampling 176.4 
Low pass filter: Digital + Bessel/elliptical analogue 
Damping: > 20,000 Hx > 50 dB 
Phase error between L and R 0 degree at 20 - 20,000 Hz 
Output analogue: 1.3 V RMS at 0 dB 
Output, signal: For digital equipment 

Power supply: 
5131: 220 (100 - 110 - 120 - 240) V 
5132/5135: 240 (100 - 110 - 120 - 220) V 
5134: 100 V 
Power consumption 23 W 
Dimensions W x H x D 42 x 7.5 x 32.5cm 
Weight 6.3 kg 

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