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
Sorry if this has been asked before, couldn't find an answer with my search inputs.
For any seasoned pros at this, what is the best method to swap a cartridge on an 8000 without breaking the plastic tab - it's rather nerve-racking. I've done it twice before with the same cart but a recently acquired mmc20en seems to be putting up more resistance to going on.
Thanks
There isn't an easy way if the cartridge connector opening is a tight fit on the tonearm cartridge mounting tab. You just have to carefully pull the cartridge straight off. The tab angles down slightly. Try not to wiggle the cartridge up and down very much. That will stress the tab where it can break.
Once you get the cartridge off I would consider not using cartridges that fit that tight. Do all of your cartridges have that problem or just the new 20EN? When the cartridge is removed, check the underside of the mounting tab where the contacts are and see if any are coming loose. If the cartridge mount is starting to deteriorate your only option before replacing it is to mount a good cartridge on it and not swap cartridges. Otherwise you will be sending the turntable back for a tonearm repair.
I will add that I have found Beolover's new replacement cartridge mount much easier to use than the old, original mounts. However, changing those cartridge mounts is a big job and not something that is easily done. Especially the Beogram 8000 because it runs the extremely small gauge, magnet type wire from the cartridge mount all the way down through the tonearm pivot to the transfer board. Reworking all of that would be a nice challenge. I haven't done one of those yet...just a couple of Beogram 4000 turntables which only require a short section of 32 gauge phono wire in the tonearm tube.
-sonavor
Thanks for that. You're probably right, it might be best not to use that one, though I would like to hear it as it looks in a nice condition. I've not had any issues with either the original 20cl or a mmc4000 before. Though the back of the EN looks fine to me with the contacts just slightly raised.