Hi Dan

Good photos.  It seems that I was incorrect in assuming that for some reason the arm per se wouldn't lower onto the record.  It seems that mediabobny was correct, and it's failed stylus suspension causing the stylus to 'droop' out of the cartridge and making contact with the record before it should, and it is this that is preventing it operating correctly. 😳  The only way to solve this is either a repair or replacement MMC.

Don't worry about the counterweight coming off - it gives you an opportunity to clean the old lube from the rotating scale to ensure it can rotate fairly freely on the counterweight.  The aforementioned 'tube' will come out of the counterweight (there's a screwdriver slot cut into the end of the tube) and everything should be cleaned and re lubricated before replacement.  Replace the tube first (luckily you still have both rubber mounts - leave these where they are and slide the tube over the whole thing - the real PITA is if the end rubber gets stuck inside the tube, because it takes some getting out - ask me how I know.....) then the counterweight, and callibrate as per Chris's earlier instructions.

It looks a nice one that, and it will be good to get it all working properly.  I have a reasonable condition 2-way remote control for the 7700 available if you fancy one....

Hi Rayfenwick,

Many thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. I hope I can manage from here on.👍

Yes, I noticed that the counterweight has a screwdriver slot in its end. My guess is that the "tube" will come out when I turn the screw (in either direction). Then clean it and re-lubricate it before installing it back on the two rubber mounts and thereafter screw the black counterweight back in place. Finally, I callibrate the tone arm and the counterweight as Chris's instructions. Is this correct?😮

Also many thanks to Chris and mediabobny re Alex (http.//www.schalplattennadeln.de)

/Dan

Hi Dan

Yes, that's exactly right.  🤒

One thing I should perhaps mention, although it may be blindingly obvious, is that as these B&O cartridges don't have a removable stylus extreme care should always be taken in handling these Beocenters.  Because there's no arm rest with a locking catch like many other turntables, and because the arm is so thin, huge damage can be done by moving one without taking proper precautions - that flip-down stylus guard may protect a little during dusting, but offers no protection to the stylus if a loose arm wanders across the platter or bashes into the deck itself.  Similarly, counterweights will rip themselves off the arm and do untold damage (a mint-looking Beocenter arrived completely trashed - including the expensive MMC2 that was on it...) Always remove the MMC - even if you're just moving the Beocenter across the room or onto another shelf, just to be on the safe side.  As for the counterweight, remove it  and pack it separately if you're ever going to transport the Beocenter anywhere..

Finally, they're a great system with fabulous retro looks, and a sound quality that surprises many.  Unfortunately, when they come up for sale they are often damaged as stated above, or end up being bought solely for the MMC that's on them, so someone can put it into their later tangential - especially if it's one of the higher-end MMCs... so they're becoming increasingly rare.  Twinned with a Beogram CDX CD player they make a superb system, and if you like that analogue sound, I can't recommend the partnership highly enough.