I can't compare, but I had the same problem two months ago and went with Axel (Schürholz, at

psand wrote:

I can't compare, but I had the same problem two months ago and went with Axel (Schürholz, at link). I upgraded to a rebuilt MMC2 with a Shibata needle – and I'm extremely happy with my choice!

Axel refurbished an old B&O pickup for a friend of my fathers, he did an excellent job, and is a pleasure to deal with.

jahur wrote:

Hi all, its time for a MMC4 renewal. its either buy a beogram with the respective MMC4 cartridge or succumb to soundsmith or axel, what do you chaps/chapess'es recommend?

 

jahur.

I have no idea where "planet zonk" is, but there is a third option.  I have a retipped MMC4 from

does'nt matter where it is, im more interested in the third option.

cheers.

In the past I used to order Sound-smith SMMC4 in batches of 6 but it all got very expensive when the £ went down the gurgler some years ago. Axel was a revelation as the £/Euro was reasonably stable and there were no import duties to pay. 

Axel has refurbished 40+ cartridges for me and does a wonderful job. Although he has recently registerd for the German equivalent of VAT (19%) so will have become more expensive lately for the private customer.

I have them refurbished  to as near as possible to their original specification. MMC4's get eliptical diamond on new aluminium cantilever and MMC2's get contact line diamond on sapphire cantilever.

Both sound at least as good as the original cartridges and I have never had a complaint from a customer.

Highly recommended.