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 guys,
A while back I bought a beomaster 900 RG de luxe and I've never got it working properly. When I play the radio on it, it sounds great, with sound playing in stereo through both speakers. At first, when I played records on the turntable however sound would only come through the left speaker...and now, I think the stylus has had its day and just makes a muffled (awful) sound when I play a record.
I was thinking that the solution to both problems could potentially be to replace the stylus and cartridge - I think the muffled noise is because the stylus is worn out and perhaps there was an issue with the stylus/cartridge previously which was causing it to only play through the left speaker? I could be wrong.
Anyway, it's still fitted with an original SP 6-7 stylus so I was looking to find a replacement for that. The first thing that's confusing me is some people are selling original stylus' that are either sp6 or sp7 - what's the difference between those and and sp 6-7? I found this one for sale on eBay - would it be a suitable replacement?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-BANG-OLUFSEN-a-s-8905412-REPLACEMENT-PICK-UP-STYLUS-NEEDLE-SP6-7-8-12-14-/112533897769?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
Also, does anyone have any recommendations for modern alternatives that would work as a replacement? I've heard Axel mentioned and saw that he seems to do refurbishments, but is there a better option, in terms of just buying one that's ready to go?
Any help would be very much appreciated!
Many thanks!
The SP6 and 7 are identical except that the body of the 6 has 1/2" lugs so it can be fitted to a non Beogram. The styluses are identical. The SP14 would be a good alternative but all of these models are NOS and hence 40 years old. Nothing wrong with that though - I have a modified SP2 made by Axel that is on my Beogram 3000 and it is superb. Getting a refurbished cartridge from Axel's successor would be what I would do.
The SP9 was the top of the range for the arm you have - these have an elliptical profile diamond and were fitted to the Beogram 3000 Thorens when fitted with the standard arm.
Peter
Hi Peter,
Thanks so much for your reply - I'm still a little confused however...you mentioned that the Sp6 and sp7 are almost identical, but nonetheless two different styluses. Mine says SP6-7 on it - does that make it a combination/hybrid of the two, or is it simply just the cartridge saying that it will accept and Sp6 or and sp7? Apologies if that's stupid but I can't work out if there are 3 separate things i.e.an Sp6, an sp7 and an sp6-7? Many thanks again!
The sp6 and sp7 use the same stylus - and in fact the stylus for the sp8 and sp9 will fit on the body of the sp6 or 7. The only difference between the sp6 and sp7 is at the back of the cartridge where there is a bracket added on the cartridge body with the lugs for a 1/2" connection to a headshell.
I attach a picture of an SP8 I have - in its superb wooden case!!
Hi,
Your eBay item is suitable of course, but it is too expensive with no guarantee it won’t sound bad, even though it is new. I have one of those NOS stylii that sounds hopelessly muffled.
I suggest you make the seller an offer, and make sure they offer a money back possibility.
Jacques
Hi Jacques,
Thanks so much for your advice - I have no idea how much is a fair price for one of these and you make a good point about there being no guarantee it will sound good.Are you aware of anywhere that sells modern replica cartridges that I could use instead of looking for an original that may not work?
Thanks,
Matt
The best option is to have an old one re-tipped. Nobody makes new ones.
Make sure they replace the suspension.
https://www.schallplattennadeln.de
Thank you again for the advice.
Do you think that having it re-tipped could solve the issue I was having where it would only play through the left speaker, or is that more likely an issue with the cartridge than the stylus?
Also, what does replacing the suspension do?
Apologies for all the questions - trying my best to learn!
Thanks