I have recently purchased a Beogram 5500 turntable. I'm experiencing some problems with the machine and was wondering if anyone out there can help. 

First of all, the arm of the machine is not tracking properly. It seems play a few seconds of the disc before sliding across the rest of it and ultimately switching off. 

Secondly, the unit came with a B-Tech pre-amp as well as all the leads needed for it to connect to an amp. I do not have a B&O amp and therefore am going from the turntable, through the pre-amp and into an auxiliary input. I am currently getting sound which is both very quiet and extremely muffled. Could this be a problem with the 5500 itself or does that sound like a pre-amp problem?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as the machine was a X-Mas gift for my wife 

Cheers

Hi and wlecome to Beoworld.

This has all the classic symptoms of a problem with the cartridge/stylus. The first thing to check though is that the 3 transport screws underneath the deck have been fully released. If this doesn't help then the second thing to check is that the tracking force for the stylus is set correctly, there is a sliding plastic scale on the tonearm which should be set at the following depending on the cartridge model:-

MMC5 - 1.5g

MMC3 & MMC4 - 1.2g

MMC1 & MMC2 - 1.0g

If this doesn't have any affect then the stylus is more than likely to be goosed and all you can do is replace the cartridge - these are integrated units and it is totally uneconomcal to have them retipped/repaired. By far your best bet is a brand new replacment one (with warranty) from www.sound-smith.com

Chris.

Hi Chris

Thanks very much for your reply.

I think the tracking force was just a little too low, the stylus is an MMC4 and was set at 1.1g. I've now set it to 1.2g and it seems to be reading the disc much better now. It's quite a relief as i thought I'd been sold a lemon. 

Going to try a new pre-amp for it tomorrow and hopefully that'll be it up and running.

Thanks so much for your help

Martin 

Well that was a cheap fix Martin!

                                                the chances are that the MMC4 will be fairly old & possibly worn so don't be afraid to up the tracking force a little more if you need to, most styli lose their tracking ability as they age and all you can really do to prolong their life is to up the pressure but this will always be a bit of a compromise. Also the sliding weights on these decks aren't the most reliable in any case but a good rule of thumb is to think about replacing the cartridge if you're getting into the 2.0g area - this tracking weight won't damage the deck but is getting into the "not too good for your vinyl" stage.

Chris.