Got a sweet beogram 4500, now what?

[DaaDaa]

Picked up yesterday from the original owner and the owner said that it needs a new cartridge. I also ordered the cable adapter so I can can use my rca cable and my mm phono stage. The cartridge in it is smmc5. Soils I just go straight to sound smith for a new cartridge?

Btw an I correct is assuming that my mm phone stage is work?

What kind of maintenance or upgrade should I do? This is my first linear tracker and I’m worried I’ll break it. I don’t even know how to remove the cartridge.

 

[teebomus]

Lot of info on beoworld. Get the service manual is a good start
I had an 8000 linear tracker and got it working after cleaning and lubing, etc. and I think I had to change one capacitor that was causing arm tracking issues.
I was lucky it had a working cartridge on it. They are pricey.
Challenging to work on. But it sounded great. I moved it along to a B&O collector.
Best of luck with it.

 

[twiiii]

I loved B&O linear tables as they could track warped LP's and those with high velocities when others would not. The MMC cartridges didn't sound as good as Ortofon MC cartridges. So I compromised and put a Rabco SL 8E linear arm on my TD 125 . Still have the arm at TT. But use Dynacvector XX-2 MK II now. Great sound and great tracking. Wish you well with your 4500. There is a lot of potential there in that table.

 

[bolero]

Soundsmith for a new cart

be careful pulling the old one off, the arm bearings are fragile. Soundsmith has some vids about that:

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/videos

and

 

[sound hound]

Why did the previous owner say the turntable needed a new cartridge? Does it still have a stylus? If so, maybe you can try it with a beater record. If it does not, I would recommend finding a used, fully functioning MMC5 or MMC4. They are not that bad sounding and it gives you a chance to develop familiarity with your new turntable which is "not your typical turntable". And maybe consider asking Soundsmith to look at the smmc5 and evaluate it for you.

 

[DaaDaa]

I’m Gonna buy the cheapest cart that sound smith sells