W9TR
11-27-2014, 01:28 AM
After a regrettable stint with BSR, my first decent turntable was a B&O 1200. That turned into a B&O 2400, and after I got a full time job, a used B&O 4002. I kept the 4002 for 20 years, and used it so much I finally wore it out.
So when I saw a CL listing for a good condition B&O 4004, I went to take a look.
What I found was an unmolested B&O 4004 in good overall cosmetic condition.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3053_zps6fbf7739.jpg
The dust cover had been replaced somewhere along the line with a factory replacement. The overall condition of the aluminum was very good, one or two small scratches.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3052_zps77e566f3.jpg
Even better, everything worked as it should. After I got it home, I took the MMC 20EN cartridge into to work and inspected the stylus under a microscope. No visible wear whatsoever, so I was good to go playing records.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3051_zps83025c2f.jpg
I checked the tracking force, and it was 0.5 gm, way too light. I had to rebalance the arm dynamically with the downforce spring and counterweight, and got the 1.2 gm tracking force dialed in. That alone was a four hour methodical exercise in patience.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3043_zps068619a1.jpg
I adjusted the platter speed with a strobe disc and tested the cartridge with some test records. Looks like the treble is attenuated a bit and the channel balance is off - pretty much what you'd expect for a cartridge that is over 30 years old.
But it tracks well and sounds very good. Just using it is making it sound better, so I'm burning it in with a test record. This seems to be helping. It is nowhere near the quality of my main vinyl rig, but it holds it's own.
I got a new belt installed earlier today, and that tightened up the sound. I sounds very good as is, so I've decided it is worth restoring. I'll probably be getting a new SoundSmith replacement cartridge after the re-build.
I'm making a list of all the components that need to be replaced, and will get those on order shortly. This will be a good winter project.
So that's my B&O 4004 journey - wish me luck!
Tom
So when I saw a CL listing for a good condition B&O 4004, I went to take a look.
What I found was an unmolested B&O 4004 in good overall cosmetic condition.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3053_zps6fbf7739.jpg
The dust cover had been replaced somewhere along the line with a factory replacement. The overall condition of the aluminum was very good, one or two small scratches.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3052_zps77e566f3.jpg
Even better, everything worked as it should. After I got it home, I took the MMC 20EN cartridge into to work and inspected the stylus under a microscope. No visible wear whatsoever, so I was good to go playing records.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3051_zps83025c2f.jpg
I checked the tracking force, and it was 0.5 gm, way too light. I had to rebalance the arm dynamically with the downforce spring and counterweight, and got the 1.2 gm tracking force dialed in. That alone was a four hour methodical exercise in patience.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k543/W9TR/DSC_3043_zps068619a1.jpg
I adjusted the platter speed with a strobe disc and tested the cartridge with some test records. Looks like the treble is attenuated a bit and the channel balance is off - pretty much what you'd expect for a cartridge that is over 30 years old.
But it tracks well and sounds very good. Just using it is making it sound better, so I'm burning it in with a test record. This seems to be helping. It is nowhere near the quality of my main vinyl rig, but it holds it's own.
I got a new belt installed earlier today, and that tightened up the sound. I sounds very good as is, so I've decided it is worth restoring. I'll probably be getting a new SoundSmith replacement cartridge after the re-build.
I'm making a list of all the components that need to be replaced, and will get those on order shortly. This will be a good winter project.
So that's my B&O 4004 journey - wish me luck!
Tom