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ARCHIVED FORUM -- April 2007 to March 2012
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This is the first Archived Forum which was active between 17th April 2007 and 1st March February 2012

 

Latest post 03-04-2010 1:22 PM by Kevin. 5 replies.
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  • 02-28-2010 2:55 PM

    New B&O cartridges, replacement cartridges, repairing cartridges

    Hello.   Brand new member here testing out the waters.  I'm jazzed because I have just lucked into a Beogram 4002 that is cosmetically a 9, and still plays great (another thread).  I do have cartridge issues, so I was hoping I could throw out a few questions for the experts:

    It came with two MC4000 cartridges.  One has a bent cantilever and plays with distortion and a great bias for the right channel.  Can anything be done to fix this? Does a cart like this with bad cantilever have any value? I see carts with no stylus on eBay--any point in acquiring one on the cheap, or keeping this one?  I know some outfits rebuild carts but probably for about what a new one would cost.  Should I try bending the cantilever back? (Nothing to lose.)  Fortunately, the other MMC4000 plays great but the little clear plastic pyramid (ziggaraut?) has fallen off.  I was going to super-glue it back on, since I believe the absence of the mass of this part makes the tone arm track too light.  In fact, a couple times a record has refused to play because (I think) the stylus didn't settle into the grooves, riding instead along the tops.  I will probably try to super glue it back on.  But since I have only one cart I think I'll wait until I have a backup in case I botch it (which is about 50% likely.) 

    How do replacement carts compare? The MMC4000 was followed on by the MMC20, is that right? And MMC1 thru MMC5 will also work? Is the quality of the MMC20 the same? Used carts come up on eBay (all were used just once and then stored in a temp and humidity controlled, dust-free radiation-proof bunker for the last 30 years, and so are always like new) but you are almost guaranteed to pay too much for an item like this on eBay.  There is a company called Sound-smith that puts up a nice page, and they have offerings of aftermarket cartridges for $230 to a heart-stopping $650. Any other good manufacturers?

    So I need at least one cartridge.  What is a fair price for  a good used B&O cartridge? Of the eight or ten B&O models that will work. what would be the best to look for on the used market?  And which is better: an original used B&O cart; a new aftermarket cart; or a B&O cart that was remanufactured? 

    Any help appreciated.

    Daniel

  • 02-28-2010 3:15 PM In reply to

    Re: New B&O cartridges, replacement cartridges, repairing cartridges

    Two sensible ways forward:

    1. Get your cartridge repaired - Axel in Germany will do this.

    2. Get a Soundsmith cartridge. The SMMC20 type are the range you want - the SMMC1-5 will not fit as they use a different fitting.

    Have a look at this review though. The two choices have very different sounds. The Soundsmith ones have more perceived detail but some find them more wearing to listen to.

    Buying a used cartridge is always going to be fraught with danger - selling cartridges with no cantilever is ridiculous - they are effectively worthless!

  • 02-28-2010 3:17 PM In reply to

    Re: New B&O cartridges, replacement cartridges, repairing cartridges

    By the way, lovely deck! I use 4000 type decks partly because they sound good and partly because they are so well made that it is a tactile pleasure every time!

  • 03-04-2010 4:42 AM In reply to

    • Kevin
    • Not Ranked
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    • Joined on 03-02-2009
    • San Francisco
    • Posts 73
    • Bronze Member

    Re: New B&O cartridges, replacement cartridges, repairing cartridges

    I bought a 4002 that has been retro-fitted with a Grado Gold cartridge.  A very kind fellow from Georgia does the conversion.  I find the Grado is much smoother and 'punchy' than the MMC or Soundsmith cartridges.  It is being shipped to me right now.  I'll post pictures soon.

    http://www.aminaaudio.com/phono.html

    BeoSound 9000, Beolab 8000, BeoLab 4000.   Beogram 4002/Grado Gold Amina conversion.

  • 03-04-2010 8:33 AM In reply to

    Re: New B&O cartridges, replacement cartridges, repairing cartridges

    Kevin:
    A very kind fellow from Georgia

    That would be Benny!

    Great guy!

    I am looking fwd to a review from you as I am considering sending him some table(s) for the same work.

    • B&o bottle opener
  • 03-04-2010 1:22 PM In reply to

    • Kevin
    • Not Ranked
      Male
    • Joined on 03-02-2009
    • San Francisco
    • Posts 73
    • Bronze Member

    Re: New B&O cartridges, replacement cartridges, repairing cartridges

    burantek:

    Kevin:
    A very kind fellow from Georgia

    That would be Benny!

    Great guy!

    I am looking fwd to a review from you as I am considering sending him some table(s) for the same work.

    What a small planet we live on, now that we have the internet!

     

    BeoSound 9000, Beolab 8000, BeoLab 4000.   Beogram 4002/Grado Gold Amina conversion.

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