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
After stumbling on an old 4002 at an antique store and falling for it's really cool, mid-century look I was very happy to hear it was in working order and all it needed was an audio adapter, especially since it was only $175. Shoulda known better. Got it home and the turntable wouldn't spin and the needle wouldn't drop! Argh! But in researching the 4002 it, I appreciated it even more given it's history and really wanted to make it work. Little did I know it would turn in to a money pit! So here is what I have done thus far:
a) purchased the correct cable and replaced the belt and gave it a lube job failed to make the needle to drop.b) took it to a local guy who works on turntables and he gave it the once-over for $200 which made the needle drop and it more mechanically sound overall. But it sounded pretty crappy. c) I replaced the cartridge with a semi-fancy, brand-new, hand-made Soundsmith SMMC20E which def. helped but still hasn't gotten me to the promised land. Now here I am with some significant $$ poured in to this legendary turntable (though people disagree wildly about the quality of it's sound I guess) but still hearing clear distortion especially in the upper register. I need some expert advice to tell me what needs to be done to make it right, if it is worth it, and if anyone knows a Los Angeles area shop that does good and reasonably priced work on Beograms. Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts!
Best,TR
Hi,
just in case: have you tried changing the tracking force of your turntable? I think that their smmc20E tracks at 1.2 grams... However, Depending on how the turntable as been carefully balanced, that value can be above or below whats written..
Guillaume
What are you playing it through? The B&O (and Soundsmith) cartridges are Moving Iron and sometimes need a particular loading. Obviously a Beomaster just does it but some RIAA stages may not be well matched. The output of the cartridge is certainly lower than most moving magnets.
Is it worth it ? I like the 4000 type decks a lot - I think I have three at present. They should just work but are obviously old now so a service is called for. You have done this!! Keep us posted - maybe you need a different cartridge but try the tracking weight first. I have an SMMC20EN and it seems to prefer a slightly higher weight than some of my other cartridges.
Peter
As Peter asked - what is your Beogram 4002 connecting too? It has to be through a phono preamp. All amps and receivers from the same era would have a phono section. That being the case, you should check the phono section of your amp out before continuing. See if another turntable sounds okay connected to your amp. Also, about the tracking force, the 4002 tracking force dial is not always accurate. Over time it might need re-calibrating. That involves removing the cover and using the service manual though. You should at least get a turntable force gage and double check what tracking force the turntable is actually applying.
In researching this further, I think this is indeed the issue. I had some excellent advice on how to test this and by putting a straw lightly on the tone arm while it played, the distortion went away. Sounds like I just need to get a force gauge and adjust it up a little bit. 1.5 or so sounds like the correct setting. Is this difficult to do? THANKS for the help. Much appreciated!
I have a more recent amp/receiver from Sony that has a Phono channel so I assume it is pre-amped. When I did the 'straw test' mentioned above the sound was quite good so I'm hoping that changing the tracking weight will do the trick! Hope I can handle the task. Any thoughts on a good gauge to get are welcome. Thanks for the help!
ARGH! Sorry about the repeated posting gentlemen. I knew not what I did. I am going away this weekend for 10 days or so and will take this on when I get back. Thanks again for the assistance. I will update when I have given it a go.
I would just do it by ear! You need a small screw driver but set the weight to 1.5g, listen and gradually reduce the weight - most of my cartridges sound a little better at a slightly higher weight than suggested - I run my CLs at about 1.2g and the ones from Axel at 1.4.
Will definitely take the plunge when I get back from vacation next week. Just ordered this from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SFG-2-Stylus-Tracking-Force/dp/B00006I5SD
Hopefully it's a quality product and will do the trick. Thanks again for the wisdom!
Gentlemen, I 'verified' all your answers because each was enormously helpful. I have the force gauge now but thought I'd just go in and give adjusting it a whirl and it is pretty amazing what 2/10ths of a gram can do. Without even testing the weight for accuracy, it has made a world of difference. I'm going to keep playing with it but it was set at 1 gram and that explains the problem. Clearly I came to the right place for help!
I think I still have some work to do though, as I haven't been able to rid the deck of a low hum that is only audible when the needle hits the vinyl. Thought it might be my ground but that seems to check out okay. Probably something internal that isn't grounded? The good news is that it isn't killing my new-found sonic bliss-buzz (Chet Baker & Bill Evans just made me sit dead still on the floor listening in rapture to their heroin-fueled genius) and I will get it resolved sooner rather than later. Any and all thoughts are most welcome.
In the meantime, you all have brought my Beo back to life and I am most grateful!