B&O Beogram 4002

[jameslrock]

Originally Posted by audio bill

Just a point to keep in mind regarding NOS B&O cartridges. Even if you are able to acquire a sample that is truly unused NOS, simply due to its age there can be issues with the suspension damping having dried out. This will affect the tracking ability and ultimately the performance of the cartridge compared to when it was manufactured new so many years ago. There is really no way to prevent such deterioration which gradually occurs over time whether or not the cartridge was ever used.

Good point. What do you suggest to acquire a suitable cartridge? Is Sound-Smith the only choice?

[W9TR]

Hey Bill,
Pretty ugly TT you got there! (Check my sig)

The suspensions do deteriorate over time. The youngest MMC20EN's are over 30 years old now. I'm hoping for the best. I'll know a lot more tonight about how the MMC 20EN performs after I put it through its paces with a test record.

Jim,
Soundsmith is the only source I'm aware of that makes new carts for B&O turntables.

[audio bill]

Soundsmith is the only source I'm aware of that has B&O compatible cartridges in current production, and they're also very highly though of. I had the pleasure of personally meeting Peter from SS when he was giving a presentation on cartridge design and analog setup at AXPONA a couple of years ago, and he is one of the most knowledgeable and personable people in the industry. I don't think you can go wrong with them.

W9TR - I guess as they say 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', or in the case of the Nottingham Dais it's in the ear of the listener! Looks like we share that good taste. You have a very nice selection of gear there, enjoy the tunes.

[W9TR]

I started checking out the cartridge last night. Azimuth is dead on. Passed all the tracking tests. Ruler flat from 20Hz to about 2 kHz and then sloping down to -6 dB @ 20 kHz. It's showing its age. It sounds rolled off when I play albums I'm familiar with. I'll use it for a while until I finish the restoration, then get a SoundSmith.

Jim, you're in for a treat. This is a fun turntable to use.

Bill, I love the Nottingham Dias. It is a spectacular sounding table and very under rated IMO.

[jameslrock]

Monday this week I picked up the B&O 4002 and the PE 3060 from Benny at Modular Electronics. He is a patient and thoughtful guy who took the time to share the repairs he made and the operation and care of the TTs. I purchased a used MMC20EN from him that he will buy back from me within six months at just a few dollars under my purchase price should I choose to purchase a new cartridge from SoundSmith (suggest SMMC20EN or SMMC20CL?). He also gave me a credit for the MMC20E that was already on the B&O. I am very pleased with the results from his reconditioning of the B&O as everything works as good as new. You can tell he took great pride from his work. The B&O sounds great and is fun to use and listen to. I connected it to the MX150 in the family room since I already have the Rega with the two channel in the living room. I need to find a way to isolate the B&O as I notice some low end rumble when walking in the room due to vibration. When sitting still listening there is no rumble so it must be vibration from walking in the room. Suggestions that will not take away from the esthetics? I will post some pictures.

[W9TR]

Jim,
I'm really happy for you. Sounds like you found a real gem in Benny and Modular Electronics. Can't get any better than what you described. I burned in my MMC20EN by playing an old beat up grateful dead record, and the channel imbalance went away. So I won't be in a rush to get a SoundSmith replacement. I've really been enjoying my 4004. I don't have any advice on isolation, except to put the TT on a shelf mounted to the wall. That's done it for me in the past.

Tom

[o0OBillO0o]

Huge score- I was recently given a (low hours, put into a box in ~1986) B&O Beogram RX, and despite my limited Vinyl experience, its sounds excellent.

I bookmarked the soundsmith website and ebay has some for sale/for parts from time to time.

[W9TR]

Bill,
Nice table, the RX. It probably needs a new belt, available from many sources, and it wouldn't hurt to check the tracking force. Mine was way way off.
Tom

[o0OBillO0o]

The belt is still serviceable. I have Shure stylus guage arriving in the mail. ;-)

[jameslrock]

SoundSmith is delivering a brand spanking new SMMC20CL cartridge tomorrow. Will post more soon.