Hi,

 I am new to the world of B&O turntables, and have just bought a Beogram 1700 record deck without doing much proper research.

 I have since realised quite how expensive cartridges are, which, had I known before I bought the deck, may have put me off! Still, what's done is done...

 My question, which I hope someone would be kind enough to answer, is whether it is possible to use any MMC 20 cartridge (i.e. the MMC 20S, MMC 20E, MMC 20EN, and MMC 20CL), or whether there is only one compatible type?

 Also, can someone please suggest the cheapest place to get hold of suitable cartridges - so far my internet searches seem to suggest the costs are in the hundreds of pounds (which is far more than I paid for the turntable itself, and far more than I'd really like to spend if at all possible!!)

 Thanks in advance for any responses,

 Toby

Toby:

As far as modern cartridges are concerned:

There are 2 series: MMC 20 and MMC 1 - MMC 4.

Each cartridge within each series is fully compatible, but not between the two series.

Derek

The BG1700 will actually take all the following cartridges:

MMC3000, 4000, 5000, 6000

MMC20S, E, EN, CL

Soundsmith SMMC20E, EN, CL, CL+

It will also take two rarities - the MMC10E (US model) and the SP15.

What are you planning to use the Beogram with and where do you live?

Toby

B&O have not manufactured cartridges themselves for several years. The small stocks that some suppliers have of original cartridges are now for sale at silly prices. I am not sure how many they are actually selling at $449 dollars each though!

Soundsmith have a licence to make compatible cartridges and by all accounts they are excellent, but they are also hand made in small batches and expensive. (Not as expensives as the remaining brand new ones though). I will buy one eventually.

If you don't have a working cartridge at all, ebay is the only place of getting one cost-effectively, you are probably looking at £30-70 for one in good condition. Ideally you want to check that the seller would be happy to refund if it proves faulty as you don't wan't to be buying a dud cartridge.Some sellers will do this so it's worth biding you time until you find one.

The other thing to do is keep you eye out for a Faulty or tatty Beogram/Beocenter that uses these cartridges (probably Beocenter 2000/2002 as they are scarcely worth repairing) and be prepared to write off  the Beocenter minus the stylus. I got a set of Beoxox s45-2s on the original stands, another pair of the same speakers, an MMC20S in excellent condition that I now use daily, and an MMC 20E in OK condition as backup for a grand total of £32 by this method. The two Beocentres (2000 and 5000)  are sitting in my loft to be raided for spares as needed as they were in nothing like the good condition  claimed and the speakers were very tatty  but I didn't have the heart to go back and claim a partial refund!

The other thing that helps is (probably because of the low tracking weight) the cartridges  do not seem to need replacing nearly as often as ones from some other makes, so once you do find a good cartridge you may well get several years use out of it.

Simon

Thanks to all for the advice - very helpful.

 Peter - I was planning on using the Beogram with a Pioneer amp I also recently bought - will this be OK? (I'm probably asking rather naieve questions, but I must confess this is actually the first turntable I have ever owned, yet alone B&O one! Have recently inherited a number of records which it seems a shame not to play...)

 Simon - will keep a look out for the items you suggest - with any luck I'll strike gold at a car-boot fair or second hand market...

 A few more questions:

1). What is the going rate for a Beogram 1700 in good condition with a cartridge also in good condition (this is what I'm told I shall be receiving, by the seller on eBay - hasn't been delivered yet)? I'd be interested to know whether I paid a fair price or way over the odds! I paid £82 plus £15 delivery.

 2). If I find at any stage that I need to replace the cartridge and cannot find one at a sensible price via the methods Simon kindly suggested, can I replace only the stylus part of the cartridge, or does the whole thing have to be changed? If replacement of just the stylus is possible, is a specific type required, and how much should I expect to pay?

 3). Are Beogram 1700s any good compared to the rest of the B&O ranges? Should I look to keep the one I've just bought, or are there any other models I will be able to pick up reasonably-priced which will do a much better job?

 Once again thanks in advance for advice.

 Toby

1. That is a fair price for a good deck.

2. No. The cartridge comes as a whole. It is possible to get them re-tipped by a specialist but the problem can often be the suspension. Cheaper to get a new one!

3. A very good deck and one of the best of the radial decks. The tangentials are much more sought after - and more expensive!