So this would like getting a 'new' cartridge rather than a 2nd hand one with unknown history?

milanoli wrote:

So this would like getting a 'new' cartridge rather than a 2nd hand one with unknown history?

Axel replaces the cantilever and suspension material - it's just as good as getting a brand new cartridge.

I agree completely. I have a MMC20S I have retipped with a Shibata stylus by Axel and it is probably the best cartridge I have now, better than my 20CLs in some ways.

Before retipping, is the stylus clean? It is not always obviously visible but some dust may have accumulated on the diamond. Best way to clean is a melamin foam sponge (Mr. Clean Magic eraser for example). Wet the sponge and dip the diamond tip STRAIGHT down into the sponge and STRAIGHT up out of the sponge a couple of times. Do not move sideways, just up and down in and out of the sponge.

If that doesn't help, a retip at Axel is your best shot.

milanoli wrote:

the sound it produces has suddenly become muffled and very poor

Here's a question for the masses:  when a cartridge (or stylus) "goes bad," is it gradual or sudden?

I have never owned a cartridge long enough to go bad (except for an MMC4 my children ruined, but that's another story).  Do they wear out, or have a catastrophic failure?

I have a feeling the answer is both.

My gut reaction is to go for a MMC20CL, which is the benchmark from which all others are judged.

That said, buying a used and in “good condition” MMC20CL is a purchase based on trust, but not necessarily reality.

Even an outrageously expensive NOS MMC20CL may disappoint and prematurely fail because these cartridges are getting old and the suspension hardens and eventually bites the dust.

My BEST cartridge (out of 7) is a MMC20CL my B&O Dealer talked me into replacing due to its age in 1984. I only kept it as a spare, but it turned out to be my “Crown Jewel” of cartridges.

This personally discarded cartridge is considerably better than my NOS MMC20CL…… which is only extremely good…. not GREAT.

I don’t know Axel, but with his august collection of supporters I am sure you can’t go wrong. 🤒

Jeff

My gut reaction is to go for a MMC20CL, which is the benchmark from which all others are judged.

That said, buying a used and in “good condition” MMC20CL is a purchase based on trust, but not necessarily reality.

Even an outrageously expensive NOS MMC20CL may disappoint and prematurely fail because these cartridges are getting old and the suspension hardens and eventually bites the dust.

My BEST cartridge (out of 7) is a MMC20CL my B&O Dealer talked me into replacing due to its age in 1984. I only kept it as a spare, but it turned out to be my “Crown Jewel” of cartridges.

This personally discarded cartridge is considerably better than my NOS MMC20CL…… which is only extremely good…. not GREAT.

I don’t know Axel, but with his august collection of supporters I am sure you can’t go wrong. 🤒

Jeff

My favourite ever was my MMC6000. Very detailed with a slight rise in the treble. This was when I could hear that! I lent the turntable to my mother in law but never got the cartridge back.