Recently decided to get into vinyl a bit and found a free B&O Beogram RX-2 w/ MMC4. I bought a Cambridge Audio 640P and connected to my Creek Destiny (the Creek does not have a pre-installed phono board).

All records sound overdriven even at low volumes. Is this likely a problem with the TT (cartridge/tonearm setup, turntable itself) or the preamp?

Thanks.

The MMC4 is a Moving Iron design - do you have the 640P set to MC? If so, change it to MM. 

Thanks. I do have the 640P set to MM and TT connected to the MM inputs on the 640P. Have also tried connecting the 640P to both the phono/aux and aux2 inputs on the Creek.

Could it be that your RX2 already has a preamplifier built in, despite the fact that it usually came without one?

Certainly is possible as a kit was made. 

Hmm, I don't think there's a built in pre-amp... if I plug the TT directly into the Creek (either phono or line-level input), the level is so extremely low that I need to crank the volume on the Creek to at least 3 o'clock to even hear anything from the speakers. 

In that case it is most likely to be the cartridge. There really isn't much else it could be as the wires from the arm essentially go directly to the DIN plug.

Thanks, before I definitively 

Where are you based? 

Thanks. Before I purchase a replacement cartridge or TT is there anything about the combination of the RX-2 > 640P > Creek that would cause the distortion/overdriven sound I'm hearing? I can also get a replacement 640P to eliminate the possibility of a defective 640P. Unfortunately, my location is relatively remote (Taos, NM) so my options for testing/demoing/repair are extremely limited.

I can't see why there should be a problem. The MMC4 will actually have a slightly lower output that a normal MM cartridge. I was going to lend you a new cartridge but customs to where you are prohibit this from being a sensible solution! 

Your Creek Destiny apparently has different levels of amplification. The manual says that the preamplifier part of the Destiny should only be in active mode if the source level isn't high enough. You can even adjust the level of amplification, in active mode, at the bottom of your amplifier, but first you need to find out whether passive mode is adequate.

Peter, thanks for looking into the cartridge loan! I run the Creek in passive mode most of the time and everything sounds perfect w/ all other sources. Since the 640P is new, I'll get a replacement for that to completely rule out a defective preamp... assuming the preamp is not the problem, guess will then make the decision btwn cartridge replacement or getting a completely new TT. Will post back once I have more info &/or resolution.