ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi BeoWorld,
I recently purchased a Beogram 1700 online and was told that the speaker wires may need replacing. I brought the machine to a specialist technician in the Upper East Side NYC and we tested the machine. It played fine out of one speaker, and hummed in the other. When he pressed pause, the humming speaker would play audio for a split second before going silent.
Later, the technician called and informed me that it is not the speaker wires that are faulty, but the cartridge. He said that there are two coils within the cartridge and that one of them is open. He offered a replacement for $150 (comparable to what I've seen online) plus $80 labor (minus the $50 deposit I put down).
Can anyone confirm that a faulty cartridge could be responsible for the sound only going to one speaker? Might the technician be taking me for a fool? I've been told of Axel who repairs the cartridges, but I was really hoping that I would not need to since the turntable was marketed as having a working cartridge. Responses much appreciated before I request a refund/leave a frustrated review for the seller. This news really put a damper on my week :(
Thanks!Blake
btsmith86:Can anyone confirm that a faulty cartridge could be responsible for the sound only going to one speaker? Might the technician be taking me for a fool?
I have had the same experience once. Sound in only one speaker when playing a record. I thought that maybe something was wrong inside the DIN plug - so I checked that...all fine. I have several Beograms - so I changed the cartridge (which I should have tried in the first place) and there was sound in both speakers.
So - a fault in the cartridge. Yes it is possible.
80 bucks labor to change a cartridge that just plugs into the end of the tone arm seems a bit steep to me.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Thanks for the reply Steffen - sad news for me though. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do. Is there a way I can find a list of compatible B&O cartridges for the 1700? Maybe I can find a working one in used condition for cheaper than the repair price.
Yeaaaa - you're telling me. I had already figured out how to change the cartridge.
In his defense, he claimed that he opened the machine up and tinkered with the electronics to try to isolate the problem (whether it was the cables, muting switch, or cartridge). Maybe it's worth getting a second opinion just in case he's yanking my chain. Thanks Jeff.
I'm really impressed with how responsive the B&O community is. Speaks testaments to the quality of the products.
Cheers.
btsmith86: Thanks for the reply Steffen - sad news for me though. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do. Is there a way I can find a list of compatible B&O cartridges for the 1700? Maybe I can find a working one in used condition for cheaper than the repair price.
The 1700 uses MMC 20S, MMC 20E, MMC20 EN and MMC 20CL.
Steffen: btsmith86: Thanks for the reply Steffen - sad news for me though. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do. Is there a way I can find a list of compatible B&O cartridges for the 1700? Maybe I can find a working one in used condition for cheaper than the repair price. The 1700 uses MMC 20S, MMC 20E, MMC20 EN and MMC 20CL.
MMC10E and any of the MMC3000-6000 range will also fit.
Martin
I'd just point out that if you let him get you a cartridge make sure it's a new one like the ones made by SoundSmith and such, not a new old stock (NOS) leftover B&O one. They are likely to have issues, maybe not now but will have a reduced life expectancy as the suspensions for the cantilever age and dry up over time.
And if he did check everything out that's worth something, but make sure of what he's putting on!