Which MMC to fix and how

16 replies
C(
Offline
cmsammy (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 10, 2014 at 11:18 GMT
#2247382

A few years ago my MMC3 died, so I replaced it with a used MMC2 which has now also died, both, it seems are repairable. My question is this,

Do I send my MMC2 away to be repaired with its sapphire cantilever and contact line diamond which has probably had a quite lot of use.

Do I send my MMC2 to Axel for a Shibata tip and alluminium cantilever, is this an upgrade, maybe better tip but not as good cantilever ?

Do I send Axel my MMC3 for the Shibata tip and cantilever and get the MMC2 repaired by Benny Amina in the states so I will have a spare, bit costly I know.

In case you're wondering I have tried asking Axel but all I got back was that the Shibata diamond is better.

Does anyone have any experience / recommendation ?

BO
Offline
bos00
Bronze
Posted January 10, 2014 at 11:30 GMT
#2247383

I have an MMC2 repaired by Axel with Shibata tip and alluminium cantilever and I'm very happy with it.
I haven't been able to compare with sapphire cantilever and contact line diamond so a can't say which is best.

DA
Offline
Davefarr
Bronze
Posted January 10, 2014 at 11:32 GMT
#2247384

Why send them to different places?

I'd go with Axels recommendations.

I have a rebuilt MMC20CL from Axel and it's superb - on a saphire cantilever, not Aluminium.

I suppose you need to decide if you want to just rebuild to original spec or not?

Dave.

RI
Offline
richhaffner
Bronze
Posted January 11, 2014 at 01:05 GMT
#2247385

This may have changed since I received mine, but I'm pretty sure Benny only repairs to the level of MMC4.  Peter Lederman at the Sound Smith does a full range (excluding MMC5).

Peter
Offline
Peter
Gold
Posted January 11, 2014 at 09:26 GMT
#2247386

Axel put a sapphire cantilever and line contact diamond on an MMC2 for me - just as good as new. He also has done a couple of Shibata tipped cartridges which are my favourite. Either would be excellent.

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JO
Offline
joeyboygolf
BronzeFounder
Posted January 11, 2014 at 11:31 GMT
#2247387

Peter wrote:

Axel put a sapphire cantilever and line contact diamond on an MMC2 for me - just as good as new. He also has done a couple of Shibata tipped cartridges which are my favourite. Either would be excellent.

I guess that Axel has done about 40 for me. I have either MMC2 or MMC4 refurbished to as near as possible to their original specification and fit them to most of the decks that I sell as Beo4life.

The MMC2's get contact line diamond and sapphire cantilever and they are always superb.

For interest, the MMC4's get elliptical diamond and aluminium cantilever. They both sound and track every bit as good as the originals.

C(
Offline
cmsammy (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 12, 2014 at 21:20 GMT
#2247388

The only reason for sending one to Axel and one to Benny is cost, Axel is about £70 more than Benny who can repair an MMC2 if the cantilever and stylus are ok.

RI
Offline
richhaffner
Bronze
Posted January 13, 2014 at 02:11 GMT
#2247389
But the 2 or 3 would essentially become a 4 if you put it through Benny's shop. That's the reason why it is less expensive. If you're cool with that then go for it.
ME
Offline
mediabobny
BronzeFounder
Posted January 13, 2014 at 04:51 GMT
#2247390

If the MMC-2 stylus/cantilever are intact, and the suspension is at fault (odds are this is the case), he just rebuilds the suspension for $150.  It's still an MMC-2.

C(
Offline
cmsammy (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 14, 2014 at 09:51 GMT
#2247391

And that in a nutshell, is why I am still in two minds about what to do. A repaired MMC2 with a used, (who knows how well used), diamond for $150 dollars or a rebuilt one with a brand new Shibata diamond  and aluminium cantilever for the equivalent of $275, almost double the cost.

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