Should I rebuild my MMC3 or buy a new cartridges for my Beogram 5500's?

3 replies
C(
Offline
couldbfishin (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 5, 2019 at 01:58 GMT
#2225457

I have two Beogram 5500 turntables with MMC3 cartridges. One of the cartridges has a broken cantilever and the other is useable but worn. I see many different rebuild services on eBay and have looked at the SoundSmith website. I would like to hear from others that have had B&O cartridges rebuilt and what to look for, and service companies to recommend or maybe to avoid. I would also like to hear opinions from those that have heard and compared a rebuilt B&O MMC3 and a new Soundsmith SMMC3 or SMMC2.

I use these cartridges and tables as part of my two Beosystem 5500 with BeoMaster 5500 receivers.

On a different thread I am going to ask about various services to rebuild my Beogram 5500 tables also. If you have suggestions please look for that thread also.

 

Thanks

Peter
Offline
Peter
Gold
Posted January 5, 2019 at 14:20 GMT
#2225458

I have an SMMC20EN which is an SMMC3 in a case! It is good but different from the original - it is more modern sounding - more detail and good stereo separation but if criticising, it is more tiring to listen to. Vintage B&O has a quite laid back sound whereas this is more in your face. I am sure from an accuracy point of view, it is probably better. I prefer my MMC20CLs though in the past I always liked my MMC6000 best - though that was when my hearing was better!

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beovision-11.png Beovision-11.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound-Stage.png Beosound-Stage.png
Beosound-Moment.png Beosound-Moment.png
Beosound-5.png Beosound-5.png
Beosound-2.png Beosound-2.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoplay-Portal.png Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolit.png Beolit.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
SB
Offline
Saint Beogrowler
Bronze
Posted January 6, 2019 at 03:18 GMT
#2225459
I have tried a few rebuilders with a variety of upgrade options and Soundsmith SMMC3 and 4 and I like to swap back and forth depending on setup, mood, or music choice. Personally, if I had to choose only one cartridge, I’d upgraded MMC3 with a rebuilder, something closer to a MMC2, which can be around the same price as a new SMMC3.

Audio-Origin, pickupservice dk, tonabnehmer. Also, classic-audio.

Rebuilds for MMC4/5 are getting more expensive and buying a new Soundsmith SMMC4 for that level is around the same price. There are a few here in the US I haven’t tried yet, like Amina audio that only does MMC4 level of rebuilds and the guy out of Chicago I can’t remember.

Right now, I have one cart off being rebuilt and I am preparing to be sending a collection of cartridges off to try a newer rebuilder with different options. Soon I will be sending a couple Soundsmith carts back to Soundsmith for rebuilding too, including a used SMMC3. A nice thing about Soundsmith is their rebuild prices for their own carts are pretty good and they can make some pretty interesting custom cartridges for B&O tables such as mono and low output.

Lots of good options these days.
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