Actually, my 1800 (circa 1983) won't lower the tonearm the first time I press "Play" but if I press "Stop" and then hit "Play" again, it will lower. (Yes, it's moving over the record, but not dropping.) Kinda like second time's a charm, except I'd like it to work on the first try. Any thoughts? Also, I have a pretty new MMC2 rebuild from Axel, and I'm wondering if it might be smarter for me to just try to find a better Beogram that works with the MMC2 than try to fix the 1800 (assuming it's something serious). Thanks!

Open the deck and lubricate with sewing m/c oil, specialy the spindel for cantilever lift, and as you have it open clean the contacts.

If that does not help we will have to get help from one of the gurus here.

Thanks. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward upgrading to a better table. Would pairing my MMC2 with an 8002 be my best bang for my buck? And if I can't find an 8002, what would be a good second choice?

The gurus here on the forum loves the tangential decks, the audiophiles also loves MMC2 or SMMC2, I am a mecanic, working with big printing m/c,s every day since 40 years, radial tracking I can see understand and work with, and its simple, Tangential is part mecanics and part electronic, electronics depend on power supplies,in Mexico city my power supply from the city is going up and down some 20%, I have nobreaks installed for all my Beo equipment. Considering this I will never install an MMC 2 and I will stay with radial tracking.

An (S)MMC2 is one of the best cartridges you can buy today, but to support this high quality all the rest of your equipment will have to be the same high quality, connections, preamp, amp and speakers, not to forget, vinyl.

I have some 600 singles, and some 70 LPs, all exept some few worn or with scraches, an MMC2 will be overkill for these.

And Remember KIS (Keep It Simple), But do not give up on your BG 1800, as Martin says, keep them alive.

Søren