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
Dear all
Is there any way I can test the quality of the stylus? If I'm not wrong and if I need a new one I need to get the whole cartridge MC4000 right? What is quite expensive right?
What is the point of getting a used one? Is it worth the saving?
Plus, I need a 20v wired end terminal lamp that and can't find anywhere in the world!
Please help help help!.
Really appreciate your comments. Thanks a lot in advance.
Hi. It really takes a phono cartridge shop that has proper measurement equipment to determine for sure what the quality of a used cartridge is. If one had a brand new cartridge of the same type and a good ear I suppose they could make some sort of evaluation. As you can see the Beograms integrate their cartridges into the tonearm for minimal tonearm mass. Critics often see that as a bad thing because it limits choices of cartridges to pair with the turntable. There is always some trade off. I always preferred the Bang & Olufsen design. Bang & Olufsen produced a range of cartridges for their turntables from elliptical to shibata and contact line stylus. The MMC 4000 you have was the typical cartridge for the Beogram 4002. It has an elliptical stylus. I remember my first BG4002 came with that cartridge back in the seventies. It is a good cartridge but it is obviously quite old now. There is no way of knowing for sure how many miles are on the cartridge so I would recommend getting a new cartridge as something to compare it to. Yes, cartridges can get expensive but they are the most important part of the turntable. Of course the speed of the platter, suspension and tonearm play an important part but the music signal itself simply travels from the vinyl groove to the stylus to the cartridge and out some wires to a preamplifier. So put a good portion of your audio budget towards a quality cartridge.There are some good used cartridges available from time to time but you need a good reference to compare to. That's why I feel a new cartridge or a refurbished cartridge (by an expert shop) is a must. Soundsmith , Schallplattennadeln.de and Tonabnehmer Service (taking over the repair service from Schallplattennadeln) are good choices for a new or refurbished cartridge for a Beogram.
-sonavor
Axel is now retired John.
Jacques
I think he's stated that :) [Tonabnehmer Service (taking over the repair service from Schallplattennadeln) I recently used Franz-Josef's service for a MMC2. Had sapphire cantilever and contact diamond fitted. Sounds awesome and the work is very neat.
Thank you so much Sonavor. That was most helpful and encoraging.
Wow, I will definitely have a look etype76. Thx so much
Hi Jacques,
Is Axel from one of the places below where it is not worth trying any more?
Soundsmith , Schallplattennadeln.de and Tonabnehmer
Thx
Yeah, Ive been to the page. Shame that I need it for the next few days and Soundsmith wouldn't be able to send it in a rocket.
But thx anyway
Where are you based?
Peter