BeoGram

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

Søren Hammer — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:05:44 GMT

The rebuilt MMC2 is with near-original spec nude contact line diamond on aluminium cantilever while the rebuilt MMC6000 is with a shibata-cut diamond on a sapphire cantilever. It wonders me, as the MMC6000 treble response is more attenuated, but more delicate sounding. VTF is 1,4 g for MMC2 and 1,3 g for MMC6000, both as described by Axel.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:50:25 GMT

Your 4000 arm could be misaliged in overhang. But I doubt it. Some tips go deeper to the bottom of the groove than others, hence (boldly) going where no tips have gone before! I thought some of my well-played vinyl had lost their highs until I went for cartridges with a finer tip, thus "recovering" to a new lease of life!

Do your carts have the same stylus profile?

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

Søren Hammer — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:49:06 GMT

Chartz:

The clicking sound can be annoying when playing classical music, it clicks a few times, when recording onto tape, it captures every missound made.

It will distort generally more than my 8002 with rebuilt MMC2, on new records it distorts a little... Tracking weight is 1,4 g, which is what axel recommends for my MMC6000, measured with original B&O Weight.

The reed relay was found by an old friend who had worked at a B&O repair shop, he had one in spares.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

filip_kbh — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:41:36 GMT

Great suggestion. My VTA was actually too low at .75 where it should be 1.00. Interesting to find out if that cures the distortion that I hear on some tracks.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:00:53 GMT

Or you could lift the platter up! A bit fiddly, but since this will be done only once... I use B&O scales!

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

filip_kbh — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:55:18 GMT

Ah - thanks for the help. However my scale is to thick for that. Any suggestions for a scale that can actually measure it?

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:28:59 GMT

Hi,

You press "go left" or "go right" after startup (thus cancelling automation) to move the arm somewhere between the platter and armrest, then you can lower onto your scales!

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

filip_kbh — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:23:46 GMT

BTW how do you measure the tracking force (VTA) on the Beogram 4000? I bought one of these small digital scales (which actually seems to be too big for measuring the VTA on this particular record player) but I don't know how to lower the stylus without a record on it.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 06:47:41 GMT

I don't know about this. Was there grease originally?

I can hear them (17/25 switches) when there is no music, or in very quiet passages.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

Step1 — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 06:34:49 GMT

have you lot got sticky switches or something? I only ever hear mine when the carriage is in fast transit.. Think about it they shouldn't really make a noise as there is no snap action like you would find with a micro switch! Maybe try greasing the contact arms where they touch the switch tops?

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:04:22 GMT

Hi Søren,

The clicking noises happen every time a leaf passes onto a switch. The later 4002/4004 have an optical system which cured the problem completely!

The clicking level possibly depends on the state of the switches themselves. It is heard when they are released, probably because the plastic has become brittle (I guess the red caps also act as noise absorbers). Perhaps new ones, if they could be found, would be almost silent.

The end-of-groove distorsion: for me it will depend on what records I play. Often, the bad ones have been played on a misaligned radial deck (which will never happen with a Beogram!) and they are irremediably shot.

Have you tried a brand new LP?

Where did you source the reed relay? I haven't been able to find double contact ones.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

Søren Hammer — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 02:49:04 GMT

My 4000 also clicks, both in music search and when playing normally.

Also, I am wondering about any of you having the issue of inner groove distortion? The deck has been serviced and equipped with a retipped MMC6000 with shibata diamond. The arms are parallel and it plays fine normally.

I have also encountered same issue with the platter just spinning. I had to find a replacement relay for that one.

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 02:05:08 GMT

Hi everyone,

Yesterday morning I woke up and in a still dark room I saw some unusual lighting.

I rushed in there. My Beogram 4000 was spinning, even though it was switched off the evening before of course!

What was going on?

Was my house built on an old Indian cemetery?

I unplugged it. Plugged it again. To no avail.

Before reaching for some paracetamol, I wiped the sweat off my forehead and instead got the service manual.

Fortunately, the reed relay turned out to be okay! TR5 (replaced with a BC107) powers the power on/off reed relay and was belly-up. Anyway, not so bad after 36 years...

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

Step1 — Sat, 28 May 2011 12:49:39 GMT

Yes so do I Jacques! Which is why I aint saying nowt

Re: Beogram 4000: worth it?

chartz — Sat, 28 May 2011 12:01:10 GMT

Step1:

I can as the deck traverses the table at 'search' speed but not when it is playing a record!

Indeed, but I can swear I can hear them through the speakers too!

What about that inner groove to outer groove LP then? I'd like to try that as well!