Beogram 4002 muffled sound - where should I begin?

4 replies
Spa7004forum
Offline
Spa7004forum
Bronze
Posted January 9, 2021 at 08:44 GMT
#2256313

Hi all,

Recently I got a nice deal on a Beogram 4002 which is in very good optical state (god that design, terrifyingly beautiful). However it's sound is quite 'muffled'; not a lot of high/mid and especially not a lot of details. From what I've read this apparatus should have a much nicer sound.

It is linked to a Beomaster 3000 (which plays songs with more detail via a Chromecast, so the Beomaster is not the problem) and 4 KEF's Q300/Q100's.

I think the needle might be the problem (from what I've read), the element is an original B&O MMC20EN. However I've also read that it might be worthwhile to change some internal elements (condensators etc) if the sound is muffled. My brother-in-law occasionally repairs bass amps so he should be able to do this. However it is also a risk to open the unit I think.

So where should I begin? Getting a new needle (Soundsmith SMMC20EN that would be probably) of revising the unit internally first? I wouldn't mind spending money on the unit, but I would hate to order a needle to find out later that the internals are the problem.

Or do you guys think the needle is the problem? 

Sorry if this message is somewhat vague / grammatically incorrect, English is not my native language.

Thanks in advance!!!

Peter
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Peter
Gold
Posted January 9, 2021 at 16:11 GMT
#2256314

The signal path from cartidge to amplifier is not going through any electronics in the Beogram - there is a mute circuit but that would stop all sound. the problem is likely to be the cartridge and either the stylus itself or possibly the suspension. You have two options:

1. Get a new cartridhge - Soundsmith make a range and these were what was used in the remanufactured Beogram 4000C sold by B&O.

2. Get yours retipped.

I have done both in the past - the Soundmith is excellent but more forward than the original B&O - many will prefer the Soundsmith for the detail. I have had a shibata diamond put on a MMC20S as well and this is also excellent and has more of the original B&O sound in my opinion.

Where are you based - if in the UK, I would lend you a cartridge though from your last comment probably you are not!

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
Spa7004forum
Offline
Spa7004forum
Bronze
Posted January 10, 2021 at 14:16 GMT
#2256315

Thank you Peter! Seems I should be getting myself a Soundsmith SMMC20EN then.

I am based in NL so that would not work, thank you very much for offering though!

E(
Offline
Evereddie (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 11, 2021 at 03:13 GMT
#2256316

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