Hi, can anyone recommend a cheap replacement phono cartridge for my Beocenter 2200.

Unfortunately there isn't any cartridge available anymore from B&O. Soundsmith makes a replacement but it will cost you!

Get your existing one retipped. It will be cheaper and perfectly adequate.

Can Axel re-tip an MMC4, and if so, how much £££???

Is there no generic type that would work?

I think prices range from €89 to €269 depending on the type of diamond fitted.

njals_saga:

Is there no generic type that would work?

I'm afraid not. You're either going to have to:

a) buy a second-hand MMC cartridge

b) buy a new replacement from Soundsmith (B&O gave them the rights to make replacements)

c) get your existing one re-tipped.

The bottom line is that all of the above will cost more than your Beocenter is worth. For those of us with some of the more desirable turntables/music centres, this might be a justifiable option. For you....I don't know.

njals_saga:

Is there no generic type that would work?

Afraid not - many BC2200s are bought simply to get the cartridge which is the most valuable bit.

Thats what I was afraid of.

As someone said all the options are very expensive. Any lo fi repair options, besides retipping.

Hi

Without wishing to repeat myself from previous posts, I can't recommend sound smith cartridges enough (although i did email them to say how happy i was and to say thankyou, never heard from them....)

I had a MMC2 stylus which appeared to be in good condition, the tip was fine. I suspect given it was the original that came with my beogram 7000 the internals of the stylus were probably wearing out. 

I 'bit the bullet' and bought a SMMC1 stylus from Sound Smith and cannot believe I am listening to the same turntable and vinyl. Vinyl is no longer muffled. The sound is clear and the bass is incredible. Yes the cost of the stylus was almost as much as the turntable ( i have a mint condition white beogram 7000).

If you can stretch to a new stylus, I'd do it- you'll have it for years and you will be very happy with the sound quality.

Regards

David Coyne

Not completely sure I would put a $700 cartridge on a Beocenter that often sells for £20!

I do find the pricing structure at Soundsmith mystifying though. The SMMC4 sells for $150 compared to the SMMC20E which sells for $230. However the SMMC1 sells for $700 but the SMMC20CL+ sells for $650. The reason I query this is that these would seem to be the same cartridges - the SMMC20 range would appear to be the SMMC1-5 range mounted in a plastic mount with a small bit of circuit board attached to the pins. Not sure why the 1 is more than the CL+.

None the less, these are excellent cartridges and do bring the sound of the Beogram range right into the modern era. Keep thinking about a Voice mounted to fit my 4000! Would want a silver body though! I do wonder if restrictions on the design were imposed by B&O.

Yeah I certainly won't be spending that kid of money. Apparently the soundsmith smmc4 is compatable. I know it's 150 bucks but the system has some sentimental value.

I would get the MMC5 retipped by Axel. New diamond, new cantilever and new suspension for 89 Euros plus a bit of postage.

The 89 euro option sounds good - my next door neighbour got a new stylus from Soundsmith though and it's excellent - in total though it cost £120 for the cartridge and £30 when the thing arrived for import tax - £150 in total but worth it.

Probably more than £150 now. Every time our currency slips further down the gurgler the price we pay goes up!