Cartridge MMC 5000 for Beogram 4000?

[Yvan Janin]

Hello there,

 

Does anyone can give me more information about the following cartridges:

– MMC 5000

– SMMC20E

My Beogram 4000 has been repaired,  the cartridge replaced with a Soundsmith SMMC20E.

I once bought for a good price an original B&O MMC20E. I unfortunately then thought it was lost, so I have much later bought a B&O MMC 5000 to replace it. The seller told me it was compatible with my Beogram. But I now doubt it…

Does an expert or anyone who knows very well this concern can help me?

By chance I found the MMC20E, so now I have two cartridges in reserve. Maybe, depending on your answer, I can sell the MMC 5000 to anyone interested.

Thank you.

[Mark-sf]

The MMC5000 has a Shibata-shaped stylus designed to support CD4 records. It has a much narrower profile than the 20E family which is elliptical. Assuming its suspension has not dried out since it was released in the late 70’s (an optimistic assumption) and is not worn out, it is technically compatible. What makes you think it is not?

[Yvan Janin]

Thank you, though it sounds too technical to me.  I absolutely do not know anything in it. I couldn’t find on the net if it was compatible and both are so expensive today.
Both are carefully put in a box provided for this purpose.

[Mark-sf]

No problem. Putting it more simply, while the cartridges are compatible they wear out due to use and go bad due to the rubber-type parts aging even if stored in their original box. Unless you purchased them new, you can’t know how many hours of playing time they’ve had. With care your 20E will last up to 800 hrs, and the 5000 to 1000. Only a good microscope can evaluate. A test record can evaluate the rubber suspension state. Be advised a worn out cartridge will damage records. A quality dealer or retipping company can evaluate.

[Yvan Janin]

see, indeed. It’s been so long since I bought them, I don’t know if they were new and since then some wear has occurred, I suppose, even if they have a plastic protection, like a transparent cap in front. One was bought from Soundsmith and when I serviced my Beogram 4000, a black one from them was installed. I use a brush designed for this purpose to clean it, always being careful before listening to a record that I am cleaning. Should I carry out like this the same maintenance for these two reserves? Or how? And if one day I have to change the cartridge, I will ask a professional before touching anything for fear of breaking something, it is better.

[Mark-sf]

The stylus brush that was included with the cartridge is next too useless IMO and if not careful can damage the cantilever. Much better is a gel-based cleaner such as the DS Audio ST-50 which I use. Removing the cartridge is not difficult as long as you have the stylus guard in place. While holding the tone arm from the side (with thumb on top and finger under), use the other hand to pull at a downward slight angle and it will unplug. Before replacing with one of your previously used ones, I would have the stylus checked for wear to preserve your records.

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