[Tjorven]

Thanks! Yes that might be a solution, removing the tonearm seem complicated to say the least. Find it strange that this seemingly sturdy bushing is cracked, maybe the plastic get brittle by age?. If someone damaged it accidentally by force, I would expect damage to the more delicate parts of the tonearm.

[Tjorven]

Thanks! I have no experience with 20CL, but I got an old MMC4000 (predecessor of 20EN) in great condition fitted on a beogram 1700, sound is great! Smooth and warm, but without lacking detail. I prefer this sound over my modern Pro-ject deck fitted with a 2M Bronze (fine line), which I find a bit too cold, almost harsh (can’t really complain about sound quality, but it lack the ”soul” of the vintage stuff). I’m mainly listening to Jazz and Soul records, and the MMC4000 setup really deliver in this genre. Think I’m going to get rid of my modern setup and go all-in on vintage hifi 🙂

[Tjorven]

I would go with the 20EN and buy records for the other £100 instead. My reasoning would be that the 4002 probably was factory fitted with the naked elliptical for good reasons. But both 20EN and 20CL was made to work great with tangential tracking turntables. Slight misalignment of old turntables  might be less of a problem with a more forgiving stylus shape then a fine line.

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information”

”The higher end designs, however, require far more precise alignment than the lower quality shapes, for what should be obvious reasons. It is easier to align a rounded end to a groove than a V shaped end. Alignment issues for both rotating off a vertical imaginary line in the groove looking end on, as well as tilting front to back along the groove become far more critical for proper tracing of the groove. ”

[Tjorven]

Thanks!
I’ve read that the common way of removing a stuck platter is to hit the spindle with a wooden mallet while lifting the platter. The Beogram 1700 feel a bit too delicate, fragile almost, to withstand that kind of attack, but maybe that’s the last resort if fishing line, heat and WD-40 fails.

[Tjorven]

The best B&O speakers I’ve owned is Beovox S75 and Beolab 4000 (MK1). Still regret selling the S75, they where in pristine condition, with stands, and sounded amazing, especially playing Jazz. I have an extra pair of S75 in pretty bad shape that I consider to restore and recap when I have time.

[Tjorven]

the MMC6000 have some kind of special Shibata stylus right, so probably more sensitive to misalignment then a more basic elliptical, but enable better tracing of high frequencies  (if that’s still valid to expect from a used 40+ year old cartridge).

I don’t care about quadraphonic audio but would try to find a Beomaster 6000 4Ch just because it would look cool together with the 4002, same aesthetics. The two best looking B&O units in my opinion.

[Tjorven]

I see, thanks. It’s stuck. Tried to pry the platter from the spindel by inserting two plastic knifes under the platter edge, but then it sounded as if the suspension springs where about to break, and the platter did not move at all. Could maybe soak the spindle in WD-40 and hope for the best.

[Tjorven]

If I managed to find a 4002 that cheap, I would probably consider having a professional turntable technician (experienced with vintage B&O) take a look at it, might be worth spending 400-500 bucks more to get it to run smooth and reliable. I would not dare to mess with a pretty complex linear tracking turntable, would probably destroy it 🙂

[Tjorven]

I’m constantly on the look out for a beogram 4000/4002/4004 on Scandinavian auction sites but no luck so far :). Seem as the prices on these sought-after models have almost quadrupled in the last 4 years.

For the wood frame/trim I would check this blog, he’s fitting a Beogram 4002 plinth to a 4000: https://beolover.blogspot.com/2020/06/beogram-4000-exchanging-plinth-panels.html

This danish shop sell a lot of parts for Beograms, including belts for 4002: https://www.beoparts-shop.com/product/belt-for-carriage-servo-motor-beogram-4000-4002-4004-6000-tangential/

[Tjorven]

wow, 75$ for a Beogram 4002, that’s amazing. In northern Europe they go for ten times that amount for a unit in similar condition or worse. In good working condition you have to pay 1000$-1500$ (and it does not even need to include one of the top cartridges).

Just the MMC6000 cartridge (the finest cartridge they ever produced if I’m not wrong) alone is worth 300$-400$ if it’s in OK shape.

Edit: looks to be in great condition. I would, without hesitation, paid 400-500 bucks for that turntable, even if it it came without a cartridge. Congratulations on well spent 120$

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