Determiting a MMC condition and other questions

Playing Vinyl for decades, I have  learnt to hear a bad needle particulare on clean sounds, like high vocals, and certain instruments in an orchestra. if bad, just buy a new one

But now when I have moved into a B&O-world, and slowly started to collect certain items I like, or isinspirating to repair, recondition I realize there are new things to learn

What are the common things to look for, consider, watch out for, to learn regarding the pickups

1. The cantilver syndrom.
Are there more ways to inditify the cantivlever syndrom, then the usual, that the pickup needs a slight push to work propertly on the record.

2. I see on internet ads that it is common for seller to take a macro photage on the needle.
Is this a verification for a needle in good condition if theimage shows a sharp , clean form?

3.Are there other common problems to be aware of

4. If replaing the needle at Axels, ( whos service I am considering to use soon ), how good becomes he pickup in terms of the other aspects, like do the coils age ?

5.Purly subjective opinions, what kind of opions are there regarding how the different MMC pickups sound?, ARe there any thing written about this subject, like comparesment tests?
What do you think ? what would differ a MMC2 in sound compared to a MMC5

6. what kind of music do you use to termine the physical condition ofa pickup

Opinions and advice appreciated.

Christian Christensen:

1. The cantilver syndrom.
Are there more ways to inditify the cantivlever syndrom, then the usual, that the pickup needs a slight push to work propertly on the record.

Not really - clearly if the cantilever looks at a strange angle - walk away.

 

2. I see on internet ads that it is common for seller to take a macro photage on the needle.
Is this a verification for a needle in good condition if theimage shows a sharp , clean form?

Pictures can be very deceiving and you really need a good stereo microscope to see any changes .

3.Are there other common problems to be aware of

MMC1-5 cartridges can have loose pins which means you end up with a dead channel - not easy to repair and can happen by simply removing the cartridge from the arm. More common with the last of the line in my experience.

4. If replaing the needle at Axels, ( whos service I am considering to use soon ), how good becomes he pickup in terms of the other aspects, like do the coils age ?

See above but the coils should be fine. Axel does excellent work.

5.Purly subjective opinions, what kind of opions are there regarding how the different MMC pickups sound?, ARe there any thing written about this subject, like comparesment tests?
What do you think ? what would differ a MMC2 in sound compared to a MMC5

There are some comparisons on site - I'll try to get a link later tonight. Essentially, the lower specified models are a bit more prone to sibilance and lack some of the detail of the others. However I would be very hard pressed to do a blind ABX trial these days. MMC2 is a superb cartridge - unable to distinguish from a MMC1.

A review on site

In my experience, MMC 1-5s suffer from a hysterical public!

Just MY experience, but I have 4 MM2 and a MMC1 that all sound fine when I decided to get a Sounsmith Voice.

When I visited, I brought them with me. Peter examined them and pronounced only one marginal due to wear. He told me that in his experience, the suspensions don't harden with age, but soften, and that they play best just before failure! I also have an MMC 3 and a 4 and they sound great. IMO a good looking used cartridge is a fair option, especially if you can try it. Perhaps try to scrutinize any good MMCs in action to see how far the suspension deflects under load (i.e.:@spec tracking force). A cart with healthy suspension will have a normal ride height. If you can see this and hear it, and it seems good, I'd go with it. That's how I acquired most of mine and at good prices!

PS: not sorry to say that the Voice, at the then reasonable? price of $1800, sounds pretty much like any of the other 5, which is pretty damn fine!

 

The suspension issues I have had are with the MMCX000 and MMC20X cartridges - noticed mainly when the high end are used with quad records where they need to track at 45kHz. Whether it be wear or hardening, I cannot say. But older cartridges do not track properly. My newer MMC20CLs are better. 

The SMMC20EN sounds very different to the original B&O cartridges in my opinion - and it is based on the SMMC3 . Not heard the Voice cartridge - I reckon $1800 cartridges are a bit much for a Beogram!

Thanks for excellent answers Peter and pfcs49. You answers more or less asnwered my thoughts and questions but appreciate any other thoughts in this little dialogoe

Peter:

The SMMC20EN sounds very different to the original B&O cartridges in my opinion - and it is based on the SMMC3 . Not heard the Voice cartridge - I reckon $1800 cartridges are a bit much for a Beogram!

Peter, I agree.  The SMMC20EN I've owned since new does sound different from both an MMC20EN I purchased used with a BG3404, and from an MMC3000 that Soundsmith retipped.  I like them all, but they seem to have their own favorite records.  The SMMC20EN, for example, loves to play Band on the Run.  The retipped MMC3000 prefers something like Meddle.  And the MMC20EN shines on Van Halen.  Go figure.

the same thing with me, I have an MMC1 and MMC2, and a few 4's, they sound really good with piano and female vocals, motown, blues, soft rock etc, but super amazing with classical and big band orchestra etc

the SMMC2 I have does not sound so smooth, there is something brittle, even harsh on some of my favourite vinyl, sadly I will never buy from Soundsmith again

I have a couple of cartridges retipped by Axel with a Shibata diamond - very B&O sounding and lots of detail. Highly recommended.

 

Loosing one channel, how common is this ?, could this be enough reason to avoid removing pickups, in case of transport or general changing for sound tests/ comparesments ?