I've been a Beogram owner since the mid '80s, but have only recently discovered (to my delight) Beoworld.  I'm hoping that the collected wisdom on this site can point me in the right direction.

I've recently acquired a Beogram 4000 deck, ex-cartridge, and I'm attempting to determine the best option for supplying it with a cartridge.  I understand that it was originally equipped with the SP15 cartridge, but that there are higher performance options available.

Combining authentic appearance and sound quality would be nirvana, and to that end I am wondering if the SoundSmith's SMMC20CL+ would be the optimum choice at this stage.  I'm not wild about the color being black, but if it looks OK on the tonearm I guess I could live with that.

Alternatively, would the SMMC1 fit on the Beogram 4000's tonearm?  And if so, would that be preferred?

Finally, would it be more sensible to find an used B&O cartridge on eBay and have it retipped?

Your advice is much appreciated.

Welcome to Beoworld. As you may have guessed, this has been the subject of considerable debate. Here is one review. Here is another.

If you will excuse me, I will put it simply.

1. The soundsmith cartridges are the only new options in town. They are all based on the same basic design - the SMMC20 range are simply the SMMC1-4 range with a larger body built around it. I agree about the black body - I sprayed my SMMC20EN silver!!

2. They have a sound which can be characterised as detailed - this means they are brighter than the original cartridges and probably more accurate. they are however slightly wearing to some ears - mine included.

3. The MMC1 will not fit.

4. Used cartridges on eBay are always tricky - however Axel will rebuild one with a worn tip - just make sure both channels are working - he cannot fix a blown one.

5 You can get your SP15 retipped - he can put a Shibata tip on it - I have done this with two of my cartridges and they sound very good.

That is incredibly helpful; many thanks.  Was it difficult to "silverize" your MMC20EN?  That's a great idea.

Quite simple - but the time taken in the masking. This is a picture of it in action. I did write to Soundsmith asking if they could make the bodies silver - I even offered to commission a run but they said that there was not enough demand.

That looks very nice indeed.  You must have removed and re-applied the stickers to the cartridge to get that "finished" look.

They are decals I printed. Not quite as good as the originals but OK from a distance!