It works fine in stereo - you cannot exclude the CD4 but apart from the fact that the output is at line level, this is no problem. It is best to set the switch to off as otherwise the CD4 decoder tends to switch in and out even with stereo records. The MMC3000 would be a very odd fitting and this will not produce a CD4 output , but is OK for stereo

I would try with the one you have first and if that is not so good get Axel to retip it and change the suspension. Prices start from €89. Look in the cartridge review article in the general forum.The cartridges actually wear very slowly - I have a number that are still like brand new. Equally, see what the belt is like - if it needs replacing I

I take it you mean the 80s 1800 - the problem will almost certainly be with the record weighing device. Either it needs resetting to the correct weight or you have no record on. Or it might have a fault in the electronics controlling that circuit.

You are all most kind. Of course in keeping with some German nouveau riche, today is my real birthday but, as my wife is away in Manchester, my official birthday is going to be tomorrow!

I knew I shouldn't have told you! Lee has sent me a wonderful present - without even knowing it was my birthday! I am donating a 2300 and Beolab 5000s to my dentist because he has such a fantastic building and is such a nice guy - even after doing root canal work on me! If you live in the North East, look out for Ewan Bramley - not only a good dentist

Fascinating! You should run your configuration through the Product Configuration Guide and see what it comes up with. It does sound as if the BS5 has to be a master - can you use the BS9000 as option 6 - the problem will be lack of radio though.

No, they are IR but at a much higher frequency - which is why this doesn't work at the minute. They cannot decode the B&O signals - shouldn't be long though!

There are a variety of cables available - some only carry the signal whereas others have all 8 pins wired which include switching and lots of shielding. I always use fully wired given the choice. However the first thing to check is the wiring to the MCL2AV. RTake the cover off and check all the connection blocks. Also make sure the speaker power potentiometer

I think the offer on the conversion is also rather good though! $680 to do the conversion and also overhaul the 4002 seems pretty fair! It is a well known conversion - was done many years ago!

The Soundsmith cartridge is not that bad! A little fettling and it can be rather good!