Hi
Cheers for the reply. I don't think the belt is the problem anymore, symptoms were sounding out of tune and slowing down speeding up (is this called wowing?)
This is what I have just written on another site I posted on before finding this:
Cheers guys, I phoned B&O up, their standard service is £120 which
(by B&O standards) doesn't sound too bad. They also said if I bring
it in they'll match a new belt to it, he was too worried about getting
it wrong without seeing it. Also told me that the MMC2 cartridges are
available again in the UK (although at £200 I'd want to be more than
sure that it'd make a difference!)
BUT.....
I just went to Halfords, spent £1.94 on a tin of 3 in 1 oil and WOW
what a difference! Cleaned the worm gear on the arm and re-oiled;
dripped a bit down the platter spindle/bearing and a couple of drips on
the motor spindle. Ran the arm back and forward a few times, span the
platter by hand (no belt attached) and (in hindsight maybe not the best
idea but got away with it) left the motor running for 5 mins unloaded.
It now sounds better than it ever has since I've owned it.
Now I'm off to dig out my record collection :D
I wonder if B&O would let me try out a new cartridge as I'm sure a 30yr old one must need replacing by now?