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BANG & OLUFSEN • BRAUN • BRENELL
BANG & OLUFSEN BEOCORD 2400
Manufacturer: Bang & Olufsen
Model: Beocord 2400
Country: Denmark
Introduced: 1969
Production Period: approximately 1969–1972
Type: Stereo domestic/high-fidelity open-reel recorder with integrated amplifier
OpenReelToReel Class: AUDIOPHILE CLASSIC / DESIGN CLASSIC
Bang & Olufsen documentation preserved by Beoworld describes the Beocord 2400 as a fully transistorised, four-track recorder with separate record and playback heads. The machine could monitor the tape while recording and incorporated an integrated stereo amplifier. (Beoworld)
Recording System
Track Format: 4-track
Channels: Stereo / mono
Heads: Separate record and playback heads
Recording Monitoring: Yes — off-tape monitoring
Amplification: Integrated stereo amplifier
Tape Speeds: Multi-speed domestic format; individual version to be verified
Equalisation: European domestic specification; exact version to be verified
Reel Capacity: Standard domestic reel format rather than professional studio large-reel class
Special Features
- Four-track stereo recording and playback
- Separate record and playback heads
- Tape monitoring during recording
- Sound-on-sound recording
- Echo facility
- Stereo mixing controls
- Automatic photo-stop system
- Dedicated line connection for tape copying
- Inputs for microphone, radio/tuner and gramophone
- Connection for two pairs of stereo loudspeakers
- Amplifier could be operated without the tape motor running
These facilities are specifically described in surviving Bang & Olufsen product literature. (Beoworld)
The Beocord 2400 also used a pressure die-cast chassis for the mechanical section, which Bang & Olufsen promoted as improving mechanical stability. (Beoworld)
Historical / Design Importance
The Beocord 2400 represents a very different philosophy from a Studer, Ampex or Telefunken studio transport.
Its appeal lies in combining:
Scandinavian industrial design + domestic hi-fi + tape recording + integrated amplification.
It therefore belongs in the OpenReelToReel reference primarily as an important European high-fidelity domestic machine, rather than as a mastering transport.
OpenReelToReel Collector Assessment
Sound Quality: ★★★★☆
Mechanical Engineering: ★★★★☆
Build Quality: ★★★★½
Reliability: ★★★½☆
Serviceability: ★★★☆☆
Parts Availability: ★★½☆☆
Professional Capability: ★★½☆☆
Master-Tape Playback: ★★☆☆☆
Collector Desirability: ★★★★½
Historical Importance: ★★★★½
Industrial Design: ★★★★★
OVERALL OPENREELTOREEL RATING
★★★★½
Collector Notes
The Beocord 2400 deserves recognition as much for its design philosophy and user experience as for its tape electronics.
For a collector assembling a representative history of European open-reel design, it is highly significant.
It is not, however, a suitable substitute for a professional ¼-inch 2-track 15 ips machine when reproducing modern master-tape copies.
Buyer Inspection
Check:
- belts and rubber components;
- brakes;
- record/playback switching;
- tape-head wear;
- all DIN connections;
- amplifier channels;
- meter operation;
- photo-stop system;
- mechanical controls;
- speed stability;
- corrosion;
- previous electronic repairs.
Verification Status: PARTIALLY VERIFIED — VERSION DETAILS REQUIRE MANUAL CHECK
BRAUN TG 1000
Manufacturer: Braun AG
Model: TG 1000
Country: West Germany
Era: Early 1970s
Type: High-quality stereo reel-to-reel recorder
OpenReelToReel Class: HIGH-END PROSUMER / DESIGN & ENGINEERING CLASSIC
Original Braun service documentation identifies the machine explicitly as the TG 1000 Tonbandgerät and contains separate technical sections covering the transport, tape-tension regulation, electronics, motor, frequency response and adjustment procedures. (tonband.net)
Tape Speeds
The Braun service documentation specifies three operating speeds:
19 cm/s — approximately 7½ ips
9.5 cm/s — approximately 3¾ ips
4.75 cm/s — approximately 1⅞ ips (tonband.net)
Frequency Response
Braun’s service limits list approximately:
19 cm/s: 20 Hz–25,000 Hz
9.5 cm/s: 20 Hz–15,000 Hz
4.75 cm/s: 20 Hz–8,000 Hz (tonband.net)
Wow & Flutter
Service documentation gives:
19 cm/s: 0.05%
9.5 cm/s: 0.1%
4.75 cm/s: 0.2% (tonband.net)
Signal Performance
Braun’s service document records a weighted noise figure of approximately 60 dB at 19 cm/s and 9.5 cm/s, with a lower figure at the slowest speed, depending on the DIN measurement method used. (tonband.net)
It also specifies approximately 55 dB stereo channel separation under the stated measurement conditions. (tonband.net)
Distortion
The manufacturer’s service limits specify approximately 3% harmonic distortion at full modulation, measured under its defined reference conditions. (tonband.net)
Engineering Features
A particularly notable feature of the TG 1000 is its sophisticated tape transport.
The service manual documents an electronic/photoelectric tape-tension regulation system, including adjustment of the reel motors and tape-tension sensing arrangement. (tonband.net)
This engineering sophistication separates the TG 1000 from many ordinary domestic recorders of its era.
OpenReelToReel Collector Assessment
Sound Quality: ★★★★½
Mechanical Engineering: ★★★★★
Build Quality: ★★★★★
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Serviceability: ★★★☆☆
Parts Availability: ★★½☆☆
Professional Capability: ★★★½☆
Master-Tape Playback: ★★★☆☆
Collector Desirability: ★★★★★
Historical Importance: ★★★★½
Industrial Design: ★★★★★
OVERALL OPENREELTOREEL RATING
★★★★½
Collector Notes
The Braun TG 1000 is one of the most fascinating German open-reel machines for collectors who value both technical engineering and industrial design.
The published 25 kHz upper response limit at 19 cm/s demonstrates that Braun intended it as a genuinely high-performance hi-fi recorder rather than simply a general-purpose domestic tape machine. (tonband.net)
Its electronically controlled tape-tension system is another reason the TG 1000 deserves elevated status in this guide. (tonband.net)
Master-Tape Assessment
Modern 2-track 15 ips master tape: Not the machine’s principal role.
Its maximum standard speed documented here is 19 cm/s / 7½ ips. (tonband.net)
For collectors primarily buying modern 15 ips 2-track master-tape copies, a dedicated professional high-speed machine remains preferable.
Buyer Inspection
Pay particular attention to:
- electronic tape-tension control;
- photoelectric sensing system;
- reel-motor regulation;
- capacitors;
- switches;
- transport logic;
- brakes;
- heads;
- speed calibration;
- DIN connectors;
- channel balance;
- previous servicing quality.
Because of the machine’s complexity, buying a professionally serviced example may be preferable to buying solely on cosmetic appearance.
Verification Status: VERIFIED FROM BRAUN SERVICE DOCUMENTATION
BRENELL STB 2
Manufacturer: Brenell Engineering Co. Ltd.
Model: STB 2
Country: United Kingdom
Era: Mid-1960s
Type: Stereo open-reel tape recorder
OpenReelToReel Class: BRITISH AUDIOPHILE / COLLECTOR CLASSIC
Contemporary documentation identifies the Brenell STB 2 as a stereo tape machine and records an alternative professional-oriented version designated STB 2/510/2. Period material states that this special version used a deck accommodating 10½-inch NAB reels and employed a narrow-gap record/playback head intended for extended frequency response. (World Radio History)
Important Variant
BRENELL STB 2/510/2
The STB 2/510/2 deserves separate treatment in the final database.
Period documentation describes it as having:
- a special deck;
- accommodation for 10½-inch NAB reels;
- specialised narrow-gap record/playback head;
- extended-frequency-response orientation. (World Radio History)
Engineering Character
Brenell machines are historically important because they represent a distinct strand of British tape-recorder engineering.
Rather than the highly integrated consumer electronics approach of later Japanese decks, classic Brenell designs were built around robust mechanical transports and relatively serviceable electronics.
OpenReelToReel Collector Assessment
Sound Quality: ★★★★☆
Mechanical Engineering: ★★★★½
Build Quality: ★★★★½
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Serviceability: ★★★★☆
Parts Availability: ★★☆☆☆
Professional Capability: ★★★½☆
Master-Tape Playback: ★★★☆☆
Collector Desirability: ★★★★½
Historical Importance: ★★★★★
British Engineering Significance: ★★★★★
OVERALL OPENREELTOREEL RATING
★★★★½
Collector Notes
Brenell deserves significantly more attention in modern reel-to-reel collecting.
The brand is particularly relevant to a worldwide historical reference because it documents an important British approach to high-quality tape recording before Japanese consumer manufacturers came to dominate the enthusiast market.
The STB 2/510/2 is especially interesting because its documented 10½-inch NAB-reel capability moves it closer to semi-professional use than many ordinary domestic machines of its period. (World Radio History)
Buyer Inspection
Check carefully for:
- head wear;
- idlers;
- pinch roller;
- motor condition;
- brakes;
- bearings;
- capacitors;
- valves/transistors according to version;
- recording bias calibration;
- deteriorated wiring;
- reel-table condition;
- NAB adapters where applicable;
- originality of heads and electronics.
Verification Status: PARTIALLY VERIFIED — FULL ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION SHEET TO BE TRANSCRIBED
B — MANUFACTURER EXPANSION INDEX
The final B section should not stop with these three headline machines.
BANG & OLUFSEN
Models requiring individual database records include:
- Beocord 84
- Beocord 506
- Beocord 507
- Beocord 609
- Beocord 610
- Beocord 1500
- Beocord 1500 de Luxe
- Beocord 1600
- Beocord 1800
- Beocord 2000
- Beocord 2000 de Luxe
- Beocord 2400
The Beocord 1600, for example, is documented as a reel-to-reel machine with sound-on-sound, automatic recording-level control and mixing facilities, and is associated with Jacob Jensen’s industrial design work for B&O. (Beoworld)
BRAUN
Core machines for expansion:
- TG 502
- TG 502/4
- TG 504
- TG 550
- TG 1000
- TG 1000/4
- TG 1020
The TG 1000 and TG 1020 should receive especially detailed entries because they represent the upper end of Braun’s open-reel engineering.
BRENELL
Core Brenell research list:
- Brenell Mk I
- Brenell Mk II
- Brenell Mk III
- Brenell Mk IV
- Brenell Mk V
- Brenell Mk 5M
- Brenell Mk 5 Series 2
- Brenell STB 1
- Brenell STB 2
- Brenell STB 2/510/2
- Brenell ST 200
- Brenell ST 400
- Brenell Mini-8
- Brenell Type 19
- Brenell professional and studio variants
Historical model listings place the Brenell Mk 2 around 1956, STB 2 around 1964 and ST 200/ST 400 around 1970, providing a useful starting framework for archival verification. (Sterremuur Manuals)
OPENREELTOREEL — B SECTION AWARDS
BEST ENGINEERING
BRAUN TG 1000
★★★★★
Exceptional mechanical/electronic tape-control engineering and distinctive German industrial design.
BEST DESIGN
BANG & OLUFSEN BEOCORD 2400
★★★★★
A classic example of combining high-fidelity tape recording with Scandinavian product design.
BRITISH HERITAGE AWARD
BRENELL STB 2 / STB 2/510/2
★★★★★
An important representative of British open-reel engineering and one of the most historically interesting manufacturers in the B section.
OPENREELTOREEL B-SECTION RANKING
1. Braun TG 1000 — ★★★★½
Engineering Reference / High-End Prosumer
2. Brenell STB 2/510/2 — ★★★★½
British Engineering / Collector Classic
3. Bang & Olufsen Beocord 2400 — ★★★★½
Audiophile / Industrial Design Classic
These identical overall star totals do not mean the machines are equivalent.
The TG 1000 wins principally for engineering.
The Brenell wins for British tape heritage and semi-professional interest.
The Beocord 2400 wins for design, integration and historical significance.
MASTER-TAPE SUITABILITY — B SECTION
For the purposes of the OpenReelToReel 2026 reference:
★★★★★
Dedicated 2-track professional 15 ips master-reproduction capability.
★★★★☆
Very strong tape reproduction capability, but some limitation of format, EQ or configuration.
★★★☆☆
Excellent conventional open-reel reproduction but not an ideal modern 15 ips master-tape platform.
★★☆☆☆
Primarily domestic format.
This means a beautiful, rare and highly collectible recorder can receive:
Collector Desirability: ★★★★★
while simultaneously receiving:
Master-Tape Playback: ★★☆☆☆
This distinction will remain fundamental throughout the database.
NEXT — PART 3: C
CROWN
The next major chapter will cover the American Crown professional/semi-professional machines, including models and families such as:
Crown 700 Series
Crown 800 Series
Crown 822
Crown SX Series
Crown CX Series
Crown transport and professional variants
Each will receive:
Manufacturer • Country • Production Years • Track Format • Tape Speeds • Reel Size • Heads • Motors • EQ • Frequency Response • S/N • Wow & Flutter • Weight • Professional Capability • Master-Tape Suitability • Serviceability • Parts Availability • Collector Notes • OpenReelToReel ★★★★★ Rating
OPENREELTOREEL
COMPLETE REEL-TO-REEL TAPE RECORDER DATABASE & COLLECTOR’S GUIDE 2026
The Worldwide Reference to the Machines That Recorded, Preserved and Reproduced the Analogue Era
