Hello

I recently purchased a beautiful white beogram 7000 turntable (thank you Lee & Matt).

It has a MMC 2 stylus- the orginal. I had it checked recently the tip is in good condition.

I note recent posts though about degradation of the inards (a technical term Im sure!!!!) of the cartridge..

I must say when I played the turntable thought the sound was pretty ordinary. Almost mint vinyl, sounds ok.... anything slightly worn very ordinary.. a little muffled, very bassy.

I was a little put off by the price of a new stylus through Sound Smith (but i guess you get what you pay for).

I'm wondering if people more experienced than myself can recommend a stylus? Should i go for the equivalent number in the Sounds Smith range? Will I notice an significant improvement in the sound? Price is not the key factor for me I just want a good stylus and good sound.

The beogram is connected to my beocentre 2 socket box and a pair of beolab 9's..

Any advice appreciated re what stylus I should get to get the most out of the beogram 7000

David Coyne

Sydney, Australia

Hello David,

Although you've had it checked, I still suspect your MMC2 which, in good nick, usually sounds a touch on the bright side to my ears.

My preference is the Soundsmith SMMC4 as I've heard several, they are an improvement on the B&O original and the cost is reasonable when compared to the more upmarket models which, by the way, I have never heard!

Is there anyone in your vicinity who would be willing to lend you a cartridge? If not, I suggest you buy a new SMMC4 as your only way of achieving satisfaction from your new deck. At least you will know for sure and that is worth paying for!

If you read this thread it covers the options more comprehensively than I could.

http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/t/24240.aspx

I think in your position I would buy an SMMC4 from Soundsmith. If you are only going to be an occasional vinyl user it may well be all you need and, by all accounts, it will sound better than the original MMC4. An SMMC2 will up the ante quite a lot in money terms and probably isn't necessary for most people.

Simon

Hi All

Interesting that no one said i should replace with a SMMC2?? Why is that?? GIven i have a MMC2 now..

David Coyne

Possibly because no one has experience of SMMC2 due, I suspect to the price.

I have to say that my ears can't hear much difference between MMC2 and SMMC4, so the 4 would be my choice, on value for money grounds alone.

The SMMC2 cartridge is excellent. But it does cost a lot of money and the SMMC4 is a good catrtridge in it's own right. It is questionable whether the extra performace justifies the substantial extra cost. With VAT and deivery in the UK you are lookingat around £150 for an SMMC4 and £420 for the SMMC2.

Simon

I can't comment on the Soundsmith cartridges, but I can say that by "sound quality" standards, the turntable you have was ok, but inclined to sound a bit too "safe." B&O cartridges are notoriously temperature sensitive and if the room is below 20 degrees C or so, the sound will get duller and thicker than ever.

I liked the MMC4, finding its life and "bounce" suited the 'Grams of this period really well. It would be worth checking with Axel when stylus replacement comes around, as he has the Soundsmiths as well as being able to do a fine re-tip apparently. He speaks pretty good English, but could obviously describe what he does in more detail in German.

http://www.schallplattennadeln.de/