Hi, all, I recently got my first B&O turntable, it is a 1602. Is this a good deck? I know it needs a new cartridge, I assume that is going to be a major expense. I guess I'd like to know if it is worth it to fix up this turntable or not. Is this a rare turntable? Any info would be great, thank you.

Hello and welcome to Beoworld,

The 1602, assuming that it is an american variety of the 1902, is a fine turntable for the novice B&O user.

There are a couple of people who can rebuild your cartrigde, I would recommend Axel Schürholz from http://www.schallplattennadeln.de/

Greetings, Søren Hammer

The BG 1602 is the 120 Volts (US) version of BG 1600, and if you are located in the US Soundsmith provide new cartridges and also has a repair service

Thanks for the welcome, and thanks for the info. I have one other question(I'm sure I'll have more) the belt seems very loose, should it be loose or tight? Also when I hit the 45 play, the tonearm moves into position and then the table shuts down, any ideas on what that could be? Maybe the loose belt?

This probably will seem like a very noob question, but, is the platter supposed to be so bouncy? I've never seen another turntable where the platter has so much bounce. Is that normal for B&O? Or is something wrong with mine?

This is normal - all beograms from this era onwards are very bouncy. B&O call it the anti vibration system or something.

Chris.

B&O record players have a unique suspension system which makes the Beogram very "Dance-proof" in concept. There are three stransport screws under the platter (or under the bottom) which can be locked for safer transport.

Hopefully my last noob question. When trying to set the tonearm, how is that done as the tonearm holder seems to travel with the tonearm. How can you get it to float if this stays with it? Does that make any sense, I hope. I'm actually pretty sure that won't be my last question, sorry. You have all been so helpful, what a great community you all have here.

Any chance any kind soul has a cartridge for a 1602, something in decent shape, I really can't afford to buy one from SS, I know it would be the best way to go, but I just don't have the extra cash. If someone has one and they are not trying to get rich on it, please let me know. Email is simmonsron25@yahoo.com Or should I just get a different turntable, I really wanted to enter the B&O world though.

Good karma will follow you throughout your days!! Really.

The platter and arm are both attached to a floating sub chassis - this is what bounces. this isolates the record from the enviroment and is the best mechanism to do this. Other manufacturers use weight to attempt to damp down vibration because the sub-chassis method is expensive to do properly.

On the cartridge, get the one you have repaired by Axel. Much cheaper than new and he does a very good job.

Peter :

 

On the cartridge, get the one you have repaired by Axel. Much cheaper than new and he does a very good job.

So does Benny in the US (Georgia).  I have a retipped MMC4 from Benny.