Bang & Olufsen Beomaster 4400 (1976–1979)
The Beomaster 4400 was Bang & Olufsen's top-of-the-line two-channel receiver through the late Seventies, produced from 1976 to 1979. It's a fully transistorized, two-channel stereo receiver rated at 2 x 45 W RMS into 8 ohms, with distortion below 0.05% across the 20–20,000 Hz range and a damping factor of 100.
What sets the 4400 apart from a typical receiver of the era is its signal path. All signal paths run direct from source to output, and the volume control operates within the negative feedback loop of the power amplifier — an unusual design choice that keeps the amplifier's behavior consistent regardless of volume setting. The FM tuner is notably sensitive at 1.1 µV/75 ohm, and uses a "Stereomatic" phase-locked loop circuit to handle the FM multiplex signal.
The front panel carries eight tonal controls — four per channel, with separate bass and treble — plus built-in room adaptation, and the tonal balance can be made independent of the volume control. A phono stage with two inputs is present. Power consumption is rated at 60 W, and the aerial impedance is 240 ohm. An optional MMC 4000 cartridge was listed as an accessory.
Documentation on the 4400 is moderate but somewhat contradictory on production dates; sources place it at 1976–1979 or roughly 1976–1978. The receiver was reviewed in HiFi-Stereo (October 1977, p.118), which examined what made it an alternative in the marketplace.
Known Specs
- Output: 2 x 45 W RMS into 8 ohms
- Distortion: < 0.05% (20–20,000 Hz)
- Damping factor: 100
- FM tuner sensitivity: 1.1 µV/75 ohm
- Power consumption: 60 W
- Aerial impedance: 240 ohm
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