SMMC4 or SMMC3? Or refurbish an old MMC4?

Hello beopeople,

 

Today, upon playing a brand new Black Sabbath LP, we instantly noticed significant distortion on my Beogram 5000 w MMC4.  As we use the turntable frequently, and hadn't noticed any distortion a few days ago, I thought it might be the album.  Lo and behold, after trying a few other LP's, no such luck - it is indeed the cartridge / needle. :(

 

Thankfully, I have a second, used, MMC4, and an also-used SMMC4 on hand. This other MMC4 I'd switched out a few months ago because the suspension is failing, but the SMMC4 seems fine (though a bit brighter than the MMC's).

 

My question is, can I / should I send the two MMC4's out to repair by SoundSmith?  Is it worth it, or should I just save up for a new SMMC4 (or SMMC3) when this current one bites the dust?

 

Mike

SoundSmith doesn't repair MMC-4's; only 1's and 2's.   Axel Schurholz can rebuild them for 99 euros (~$130) each.  More cost efficient to do this than buy an SMMC-4 at $200 or SMMC-3 at $300.

Beware though, some pressings nowadays can damage cartridges, due to badly controlled groove quality. I've seen them partially melted together which pinches the poor old diamonds that use a rondel and actually rip them off... Have you checked that a tiny bit of vinyl isn't stuck on/around the tip?

If you send the MMC4 to Axel, you can also upgrade - he can make it into a MMC2 if you wish! As you have discovered, the SMMC4 and MMC4 have fairly different characteristics - the SMMC4 is much more forward and bright - a lot of people like this compared to the more laid back sound of the MMC4. However others would say that the SMMC4 can be tiring to listen to. What do you think since you have both with you?

Another option.

I have a rebuilt MMC4 from Benny, 2 "original" MMC4 bought used, a rebuilt MMC3000 from Soundsmith, an "original" MMC20EN bought used, and a Soundsmith SMMC20EN bought new.  All six are currently in use throughout the house.  Some get more use than others.  Frankly, I don't hear much of difference in any of the cartridges except maybe, just maybe, the MMC3000 rebuild from Soundsmith may be the one I like the best.  Why?  Impossible to describe and/or quantify.

chartz:

Beware though, some pressings nowadays can damage cartridges, due to badly controlled groove quality. I've seen them partially melted together which pinches the poor old diamonds that use a rondel and actually rip them off... Have you checked that a tiny bit of vinyl isn't stuck on/around the tip?

Jacques, you're scaring me!  I've not run into this, though the bulk of my purchases are used/vintage.  I'd say I've bought about 30 LPs pressed in the past year and they've all been fine.

MediaBobNY:

SoundSmith doesn't repair MMC-4's; only 1's and 2's.   Axel Schurholz can rebuild them for 99 euros (~$130) each.  More cost efficient to do this than buy an SMMC-4 at $200 or SMMC-3 at $300.

One of these days I've got to try Axel.  Maybe I'll take a BG3404 down and send him my MMC20EN.

Rich:

chartz:

Beware though, some pressings nowadays can damage cartridges, due to badly controlled groove quality. I've seen them partially melted together which pinches the poor old diamonds that use a rondel and actually rip them off... Have you checked that a tiny bit of vinyl isn't stuck on/around the tip?

Jacques, you're scaring me!  I've not run into this, though the bulk of my purchases are used/vintage.  I'd say I've bought about 30 LPs pressed in the past year and they've all been fine.

I received 2, new 180 Gr LPs from Amazon, each had a small point OD 1 mm, where the grooves was like melted together, it was clearly visible, like gray/white colored points, Amazon changed the LPs without any cost for me.

Going back to El Salvador in 5 hours

 

Thank you Peter, Rich, Bob!

 

As the budget is quite limited at the moment, I'm going to enjoy listening to the SMMC4 I have for the time being, but I'll definitely be shipping the two MMC4's off to Axel eventually for a rebuild, and may request he do the suggested upgrade for one of them to MMC2 specs!  It sounds exciting - and I'd love to see if I could hear a difference or not.

 

As for the sound, Peter, I will say I enjoyed the more laid back tone of the B&O MMC4, but the added detail / sharpness the SMMC4 provides is indeed very slight.  I generally only find additional brightness on my most familiar albums if I'm truly just sitting and listening, though it does make surface noise a little more prevalent on my crappier, worn LP's.  It's really not something that bothers me in the least, and I can foresee enjoying the SMMC4 until I run it into the ground too! :)

 

Thank you all for your help.  Much appreciated!

 

Mike

if you do upgrade to MMC2 with Axel, then you will not have to worry about the Rondel problems that can happen with both the MMC4 and MMC5 carts when played on new vinyl purchased

budget cartridges like the MMC4 and 5 have their stylii mounted on a small pedestal called a rondel, however when a diamond is mounted on the cantilever without a rondel (aka nude) it is much more resistant to poorly pressed vinyl, even premium 180g is guilty of this, and why you must carefully check both sides of any new record first

if there is any sign of poor pressing send it back with a photo of the fault to the supplier.

Pickups

MMC1

Description: Nude multi-radial Contact Line diamond mounted on a sapphire cantilever

Tracking force - grams: 1

Diamond Stylus: Contact Line Nude

Cantilever tube: Sapphire

Effective tip mass mg: 0,25

Compliance mg/mN: 30

Frequency 20-20000 Hz=/-dB: 1

Channel separation 1000>dB: 30

Output mV/cm/s RMS: 0,6

Cartridge weight gram: 1,6

MMC2

Description: Nude multi-radial Contact Line diamond mounted on a sapphire cantilever

Tracking force - grams: 1

Diamond Stylus: Contact Line Nude

Cantilever tube: Sapphire

Effective tip mass mg: 0,3

Compliance mg/mN: 30

Frequency 20-20000 Hz=/-dB: 1,5

Channel separation 1000>dB: 25

Output mV/cm/s RMS: 0,6

Cartridge weight gram: 1,6

MMC3

Description: Nude elliptical diamond mounted on tapered aluminium cantilever

Tracking force - grams: 1.2

Diamond Stylus: Elliptical nude

Cantilever tube: Tapered Aluminium

Effective tip mass mg: 0,35

Compliance mg/mN: 25

Frequency 20-20000 Hz=/-dB: 2

Channel separation 1000>dB: 25

Output mV/cm/s RMS: 0,6

Cartridge weight gram: 1,6

MMC4

Description: Titanium-bonded elliptical diamond on tapered aluminium cantilever

Tracking force - grams: 1.2

Diamond Stylus: Elliptical

Cantilever tube: Tapered Aliminium

Effective tip mass mg: 0,4

Compliance mg/mN: 25

Frequency 20-20000 Hz=/-dB: 2,5

Channel separation 1000>dB: 22

Output mV/cm/s RMS: 0,6

Cartridge weight gram: 1,6

MMC5

Description: Titanium-bonded elliptical diamond on a straight aluminium cantilever

Tracking force - grams: 1.5

Diamond Stylus: Elliptical

Cantilever tube: Straight Aluminium

Effective tip mass mg: 0,5

Compliance mg/mN: 20

Frequency 20-20000 Hz=/-dB: 3

Channel separation 1000>dB: 20

Output mV/cm/s RMS: 0,6

Cartridge weight gram: 1,6

mexking:

I received 2, new 180 Gr LPs from Amazon, each had a small point OD 1 mm, where the grooves was like melted together, it was clearly visible, like gray/white colored points

I have had about ten LP's in the last three years or so with grooves melted together as well - it happens, the vinyl producing process is not perfect :-)

AFAIK Soundsmith says it is not economically feasible to repair/retip the MMC4 or MMC3.  They will do some MMC2s or MMC1s, depending on condition.  Your best bet is to save up for a new SMMC-4 ($199) or better still, the SMMC-3 ($299).

 

 

Opus33:

AFAIK Soundsmith says it is not economically feasible to repair/retip the MMC4 or MMC3.  They will do some MMC2s or MMC1s, depending on condition.  

What's the difference if the cartridge is retip'ed and has its suspension repaired anyways?
The only difference in the whole MMC1-5 range is from the cantilever outwards.

Martin

I would go with a repair from

http://www.tonabnehmerservice.com/

Franz-Joseph has taken over from Axel(he has been working for Axel many years), and I have just had an MMC2 rebuild with suspension and everything. Perfect and very quick service.

He can do a lot of versions for your MMC4, you could send him an email and ask what your options are. he is quick to respond(when not on holiday) :)

/Weebyx