WANTED YES, REALLY WANT TO PURCHASE a Becker 1432 Cassette / Radio

[Jlaa]

The title says it all. Does anyone have one in excellent condition that they don't want?
Mine is in cosmetically excellent condition and the CD inputs sound great.

However, the tape deck runs a little too fast. Everything is shifted up about 1/8th an octave. I've verified this by playing the same tape in a Becker CR220 that I have, as well as my home deck (an Aiwa F770 for those that care) and observing no such defects in sound quality. Further, the high-midrange is overemphasized in tape-playing mode. I wish to send my 1432 into Becker for repair, but I would like to get a backup.

Thanks. Picture (of mine) for reference:

 

[gsxr]

I don't think I have a nice one available (it would be all yours if I did!), but is there any speed adjustment on the circuit board?

 

[Jlaa]

I don't think I have a nice one available (it would be all yours if I did!), but is there any speed adjustment on the circuit board?

There's probably some potentiometers to adjust various speeds - playback, FF, REV, etc. I'm somewhat gunshy, though, about taking apart a CAR STEREO deck and adjusting all that (Home Tape Decks have much more room) -- the best way to calibrate the speed is to play a 3000Hz test tone tape and send the line-level output to something (like a USB-connected computer input recording thingy) that will measure the frequency played back as well as wow and flutter. Given that finding line outs on the 1432 itself is kind of a pain (because specialized DIN connector) and everything is so tiny ....as well, I figure I might as well have Becker in NJ adjust tape head alignment (azimuth), replace the belts ........

 

[Kyiv]

Jiro Dreams of Sushi - Jlaa Dreams of Becker 1432. I honestly have no doubt that THE most perfect 500E that is out there is the one you own.

 

[sheward]

I have 2, both in unknown condition. Cosmetically, they are a bit dirty but without any visible flaws. If you cannot find what you are looking for I will send you one of mine for the cost of shipping.

drew

 

[Jlaa]

I have 2, both in unknown condition. Cosmetically, they are a bit dirty but without any visible flaws. If you cannot find what you are looking for I will send you one of mine for the cost of shipping.

drew

Thank you so much Drew! I am contacting you.

 

[aliking]

I have 10 units of that stereo, its connected to an audio amplifier right?

 

[alabbasi]

I have several of those but I have no idea if they're good or not as they've been on the shelf some time. If you're going to send it out to Becker, I can help but I can't guarantee that they're mechanically (electrotonically) good

 

[Jlaa]

Thanks @alabbasi! I will take it one step at a time with the super gracious offer of a unit from @sheward .... I will send a 1432 in to Becker in NJ for repair. I am naturally a bit anxious on the job that Becker in NJ will do but I will report back about my findings.

My biggest issue with my Becker 1432 is the aforementioned too-quick-running on tape-mode as well as shrill sound quality (way overemphasized high-midrange). I suspect the shrillness is due to the tape running too fast, but I am not 100% sure. I will note that I do not get this shrillness on FM or CD input (which is actually Bluetooth). I will not have Becker add BT to my unit because I'd like to keep the unit stock.

@alabbasi thank you so much for the offer - I will keep you updated!

 

[Kyiv]

Thanks @alabbasi! I will take it one step at a time with the super gracious offer of a unit from @sheward .... I will send a 1432 in to Becker in NJ for repair. I am naturally a bit anxious on the job that Becker in NJ will do but I will report back about my findings.

My experience with them: I sent mine for an exchange for unit with Bluetooth. They sent me theirs and then I shipped mine back. The first one I received was somehow defective - only one side of car's speakers output sound. Reconnecting old unit back, both sides output. Second unit received from Becker worked fine, but I have a pop when the unit connects to my phone via Bluetooth. Maybe it's normal, but likely not. The face of the second unit has a somewhat faded font, which is not a pleasant feature, but oh well..

After fixing illumination issue, which you guided me through, and reassembling everything back, one side of speakers does not work again... Unit is about 2 years old. Likely my issue, but maybe not?

 

[Kyiv]

I should add, that you can speak to a technician who repairs the unit on the phone and discuss upfront your problem and what you're looking for. It's a small operation and you'll speak to a real human that will appear conscious

 

[Jlaa]

My experience with them: I sent mine for an exchange for unit with Bluetooth. They sent me theirs and then I shipped mine back. The first one I received was somehow defective - only one side of car's speakers output sound. Reconnecting old unit back, both sides output. Second unit received from Becker worked fine, but I have a pop when the unit connects to my phone via Bluetooth. Maybe it's normal, but likely not. The face of the second unit has a somewhat faded font, which is not a pleasant feature, but oh well..

Argh. This is not totally encouraging. I have read several posts on Becker NJ's service. Seemingly a fair number of people have been dissatisfied with their service. As well, this is not the first time that I have read that an "exchange" led to suboptimal replacements (i.e. your "new" faceplate being no so good"

At the same time, I have read, through multiple threads, an equal number of vocal of folks who have had great results with Becker Autosound. This is why I am anxious about sending my unit in for repair (I do not wish to do an exchange).

After fixing illumination issue, which you guided me through, and reassembling everything back, one side of speakers does not work again... Unit is about 2 years old. Likely my issue, but maybe not?

This is possibly an issue with wiring to/from or one of the amplifiers mounted in the trunk. You may recall from the wiring diagrams of the BE1432 mit Sound System package that one amp drives the left side of the car, and another amp drives the right side of the car.

 

[Jlaa]

I have 10 units of that stereo, its connected to an audio amplifier right?

Yes, thank you @aliking for response. I may contact you for one of your 10 units if my current plans do not work out. The short answer to your question is --- Yes, my BE1432 is connect to an elaborate system with aftermarket amplification .... the issue with my BE1432 is that the tape runs too fast and upper-midrange sound in the tape mode (and only the tape mode) is too shrill. CD inputs and FM tuner all sounds great.

 

[aliking]

Yes, thank you @aliking for response. I may contact you for one of your 10 units if my current plans do not work out. The short answer to your question is --- Yes, my BE1432 is connect to an elaborate system with aftermarket amplification .... the issue with my BE1432 is that the tape runs too fast and upper-midrange sound in the tape mode (and only the tape mode) is too shrill. CD inputs and FM tuner all sounds great.

If you couldnt fix ur current unit, i will send to you one for free, you just pay the shipping. Thank you

 

[Jlaa]

If you couldnt fix ur current unit, i will send to you one for free, you just pay the shipping. Thank you

Thank you so much for the kind offer!