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
I've never had this happen before. While removing one of my MMC2 cartridges from a Beogram 8002 (so I could test a newly acquired MMC2), the black base, with the connectors stayed behind in the arm. I was able to pull the base off the arm and it is fully intact. The new MMC2 works great so I am still in business while I decide how to get this one repaired. I looks like it would snap back on but I don't know what the orientation should be. I have contacted a couple of repair places for estimates so I'll see. The cartridge had been working great - the cantilever and tip are still good.
Here is a picture of the cartridge.
First time I see a failure like this, I hope you find an economical and good solution. I was testing an BG RX after repair, and moving a MMC 4 from another deck, and thinking about what could happen, if doing this too often. About to order more from Axel, at least one MMC2 with Shibata, and 2 MMC4 .
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Wow, really sorry that happened to you, but man! That is one awesome photograph!
The surprising thing about the photo is that I didn't take it with my normal, Canon SLR camera...I took that picture with my Nokia cell phone. It has a pretty nice camera built in. It can't do everything the big camera can do but it is surprising what it can do.
-sonavor
I can't see from the photograph but you say it looks like it would snap back in - do the four pins look like they just mate with contacts inside the cartridge body or is something actually broken?
Also, it appears that the pin closest to the camera has a metal tag/clip which connects it to the body of the cartridge - if this is the case and you have an ohm meter you may be able to determine the correct orientation by testing which pin has continuity with the body on another cartridge.
Hope this helps,
Martin.
riverstyx: I can't see from the photograph but you say it looks like it would snap back in - do the four pins look like they just mate with contacts inside the cartridge body or is something actually broken? Also, it appears that the pin closest to the camera has a metal tag/clip which connects it to the body of the cartridge - if this is the case and you have an ohm meter you may be able to determine the correct orientation by testing which pin has continuity with the body on another cartridge. Hope this helps, Martin.
That is what I thought too but the first cartridge repair shop I asked says there are tiny, hairline wires that are supposed to connect from the plug (that came off) to the cartridge. So those are severed and apparently can't be re-attached. I also sent the picture to Axel to see what he says but I haven't heard back from him yet. The first repair shop says they can fix it but I am waiting to see what all my options are. I will eventually get it repaired as the cantilever and tip are still in great condition.
If the hair line wires comes from the coils, it will be very difficult to repair, but lets wait and see what Axel says, is this an original or was it repaired before, if repaired, by whom.
This cartridge is an original I believe. I do have an MMC2 body without a cantilever and tip that I could ask the repair shop to use but I'm waiting to hear from Axel first. I am tempted to let Benny Amina of Modular Electronics do the repair to find out how his workmanship is. But I have used Axel before and he is great so it's hard not to just send it to him. I've never tried Soundsmith. I contacted them once and never got a response so I'm not sure about them. Their pricing seems a bit high for this particular repair I think (since my cantilever and tip are in really good condition).
FYI - Here is another picture of the broken MMC2. You can see two of the tiny wires that broke off when the back piece came off. I can see why that is almost impossible to repair.
I suggest that the reason that you have not heard back from Axel is that he is still laughing!
Throw it in the bin, bite the bullet and buy another one.
Regards Graham
joeyboygolf: I suggest that the reason that you have not heard back from Axel is that he is still laughing! Throw it in the bin, bite the bullet and buy another one.
I never give up - hahaI actually heard from Axel this morning. He said to send it to him and he will try to fix it. The front part of the broken cartridge is excellent so it, at least, can be salvaged. I have another MMC2 cartridge (with a broken cantilever) that could be used as a donor body so I am pursuing that route.
I got some good news today. Axel says to send the cartridge to him and he can repair it.
Now for some troubling news. I mailed the cartridge to Germany from the US on March 28. It is now April 25 and Axel still hasn't received the shipment. I would think in this day and age packages could be shipped from the US to Europe in better time. The tracking number only shows it going to the point where it departed customs in the US. I'm afraid this cartridge may be lost.
I wouldn't lose hope. I've sent about a half dozen items to Europe with no problems.
I sent a cartridge to Jacques in France, and the tracking never updated. All the same, Jacques received it (though in less time than you've been waiting for Axel to receive your cartridge). Have you asked Axel if he's received it?
I know money sometimes can't replace irreplaceable items, but please tell us you insured it.
Axel said he hasn't received it yet. I sent an MMC2 to Axel last year and it took a while to get there. But it was faster than this. In both cases I sent it USPS and they refused to insure it.
I have sent various packages and envelopes to DK from TX, but it never took more than 5 days to arrive, on the other hand I sent a user manual to Paul (Bidstonhall) in Thailand around March 8, also from TX, and its not there yet. And yes, all with USPS so dont give up hope, the German postal service is normally very good.
I have sent several packages to South Korea and it only takes about ten days. Germany is closer and I would think by the year 2014 it would be very easy and inexpensive to ship packages back and forth. I checked on alternatives like UPS, FedEx and DHL. All of those carriers quoted me prices of almost $100 to ship a phono cartridge. It was also surprising to me that the US Post wouldn't insure my packages to Germany. I will just wait and see though. Maybe the shipment will eventually show up. If it doesn't, the cartridge was broken anyway. Last week I did send another MMC2 cartridge that needed suspension work to Benny Amina in Georgia. For that shipment I did use UPS. Within the US UPS isn't too bad for shipping charges. That will be the first time I have tried his phono restoration services. If that works out good I will send him another one I need the suspension repaired.
sonavor:It was also surprising to me that the US Post wouldn't insure my packages to Germany.
Depends on how you send it. USPS Priority Mail you can insure it. First Class you can't. Registered mail might have been your best option - economical, fast, secure, fully trackable. Options/costs shown at usps.com.
Rich: I wouldn't lose hope. I've sent about a half dozen items to Europe with no problems. I sent a cartridge to Jacques in France, and the tracking never updated. All the same, Jacques received it (though in less time than you've been waiting for Axel to receive your cartridge). Have you asked Axel if he's received it? I know money sometimes can't replace irreplaceable items, but please tell us you insured it.
Thanks again Rich. It is still here, but it will soon get back to you, don't worry!
Jacques
MediaBobNY: sonavor:It was also surprising to me that the US Post wouldn't insure my packages to Germany. Depends on how you send it. USPS Priority Mail you can insure it. First Class you can't. Registered mail might have been your best option - economical, fast, secure, fully trackable. Options/costs shown at usps.com.
Then my local post office sucks...I told them I wanted to send it to Germany insured. They told me I could only send it the way I it went. I figured they would know how their operation works. Next time I will drive in to a bigger post office.
chartz: Rich: I wouldn't lose hope. I've sent about a half dozen items to Europe with no problems. I sent a cartridge to Jacques in France, and the tracking never updated. All the same, Jacques received it (though in less time than you've been waiting for Axel to receive your cartridge). Have you asked Axel if he's received it? I know money sometimes can't replace irreplaceable items, but please tell us you insured it. Thanks again Rich. It is still here, but it will soon get back to you, don't worry!
No rush. It will sit in a drawer when it arrives.
sonavor: MediaBobNY: sonavor:It was also surprising to me that the US Post wouldn't insure my packages to Germany. Depends on how you send it. USPS Priority Mail you can insure it. First Class you can't. Registered mail might have been your best option - economical, fast, secure, fully trackable. Options/costs shown at usps.com. Then my local post office sucks...I told them I wanted to send it to Germany insured. They told me I could only send it the way I it went. I figured they would know how their operation works. Next time I will drive in to a bigger post office.
I wonder if the "packaging" plays a role in the options available: box versus padded envelope, for example.
Rich: I wonder if the "packaging" plays a role in the options available: box versus padded envelope, for example.
I don't think so. But when you add in box & padded envelope Flat Rate options, it can get complicated.
MediaBobNY: Rich: I wonder if the "packaging" plays a role in the options available: box versus padded envelope, for example. I don't think so. But when you add in box & padded envelope Flat Rate options, it can get complicated.
I ran through some calculations on the USPS web site for shipping priority, registered mail to Germany. From a small box to an envelope the cost still comes out to almost $40. That is without insurance which isn't listed as an option anywhere I can see.
That gets back to my statement that I am surprised at the cost to ship something. I did find another possible option though. Have you tried Stackry.com? Apparently they consolidate shipments to get the cost down.
If you click on the Priority Mail International Option, then click on 'Customs Forms and Extra Services' on the bottom, you'll see the option to add insurance. To complicate things further, Priority Mail comes with a small amout of free insurance, which is a function of the box weight/dimensions. I don't think you can insure a small flat rate box but I'm not sure. I get $23.10 for registered (4 oz.), which is incredibly secure - you even have to seal the box with special tape or else the P.O. won't accept it.. And I'm not surprised that your postal clerk doesn't understand it fully - I've encountered that.
Never heard of Stackry.com. I prefer to ship directly to a recipient, as opposed to thru an intermediary.
Good news this morning.
Axel reported that my cartridge arrived at his shop. I think that may be a new record, 35 days from the US to Germany. But...it got there so I am happy about that.-sonavor
Good news, indeed! Let's hope Axel spends less time rebuilding, and the return trip is a bit more prompt.
Yes, I am quite relieved. Now Axel has the tricky task of attempting to connect those four tiny wires on the base.
Have you got it back from Axel yet?
Cheers
Nigel
Not yet but he let me know the work should be completed in a week.
Axel has just repaired my MMC 400 with a new cantilever and Shibata tip.
Turnaround was less than 3 weeks from me posting it to getting it back, but that was from UK to Germany, and as both EU countries, no customs hold ups.
My problems started when I broke the plastic connector on the end of the tone arm.......
See my post in the Beogram forum.
Axel let me know my cartridge is complete and he shipped it back today.
The repaired cartridge arrived from Axel today. That was quick return shipping. I will post a picture later.
Good news!
//Bo.A long list...
Here is the repaired cartridge. Because of the way the MMC cartridges were originally sealed, they have to be cut open to repair. So all of them will have the surgery scar shown in the photo.
Here is the cartridge re-installed in a Beogram 8002 and working great again. I used it to record "Born to Run" on my recently repaired Beocord 9000. The result is very good. I am very satisfied with Axel's restoration of the cartridge. I now have two repaired MMC2 cartridges from him and both work great.
Is that the sound of Graham eating humble pie I can hear?
Very useful to know that Axel can do this kind of repair.
Enjoy!
h1npw: Is that the sound of Graham eating humble pie I can hear? Very useful to know that Axel can do this kind of repair. Enjoy! Cheers Nigel
There is a first time for everything, Nigel!
To be fair, I would have said just the same - hats off to Axel!
Peter