MM or MC with B&O Turntable

[emmvette]

Beginner question... Do I use the MM or MC phono input of my preamp with the Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1700? I have the 20MMC cartridge. I know it is a MMC - OK - so what do I use?

 

[HypnoToad]

MMC stands for Moving Micro-Cross, and should be used with MM input. It's confusing I know as it implies its a moving coil.

 

[thedelihaus]

The toad speaks the truth.

 

[emmvette]

Thanks! I appreciate your help!

 

[iLUVanalog]

MMC stands for Moving Micro-Cross, and should be used with MM input. It's confusing I know as it implies its a moving coil.

Correcto!

 

[JonL]

Be aware that the B&O cartridges are a bit lower in output than some others... so if it's just a little quieter than you expect that's totally normal. Just turn the big knob a little more.

 

[beej]

<<Just turn the big knob a little more>>

Good that I'm getting the hang of audiophile lingo after all this time.

 

[emmvette]

Turn the big knob a little more.... That does make sense, I just thought maybe it was all turntables. Thankfully I have some Cornwalls and a pair of Khorns that don't require a lot of watts to drive them. I do like to turn it up sometimes! Right now, Eric Clapton is spinning, I love it! I did have the phono in the MM, but just wanted to make sure.

 

[iLUVanalog]

Be aware that the B&O cartridges are a bit lower in output than some others... so if it's just a little quieter than you expect that's totally normal. Just turn the big knob a little more.

Yes....the output of the B&O cartridges is rather low-ish. Also, (I'm sure you already know this) they are proprietary....you can't use anything other than a B&O cartridge on a B&O table.

 

[JonL]

....Also, (I'm sure you already know this) they are proprietary....you can't use anything other than a B&O cartridge on a B&O table.

Or the replacements made by SoundSmith. B&O no longer makes cartridges, and SoundSmith is the "authorized" manufacturer now. (I don't know the exact deal, but if you contact B&O about cartridges, they refer you to SoundSmith. I also believe that SoundSmith got some kind of permission from B&O to make compatible cartridges before they went into the business.)

 

[merkin muffley]

Or the replacements made by SoundSmith. B&O no longer makes cartridges, and SoundSmith is the "authorized" manufacturer now. (I don't know the exact deal, but if you contact B&O about cartridges, they refer you to SoundSmith. I also believe that SoundSmith got some kind of permission from B&O to make compatible cartridges before they went into the business.)

Yep.

I had some fullfiillment issues with Soundsmith, but once it finally arrived, i was highly impressed with their product.

 

[iLUVanalog]

Or the replacements made by SoundSmith. B&O no longer makes cartridges, and SoundSmith is the "authorized" manufacturer now. (I don't know the exact deal, but if you contact B&O about cartridges, they refer you to SoundSmith. I also believe that SoundSmith got some kind of permission from B&O to make compatible cartridges before they went into the business.)

Granted, though they are still "B&O" indirectly (rebadged)...and still proprietary.

 

[JonL]

Just to clarify (not to argue)... Yes, it's still a "proprietary" cartridge system, but the SoundSmiths are not rebadged B&Os. From what I read, SoundSmith wanted to start making the cartridges and contacted B&O who claimed that none of the original tooling or even the design drawings still existed. SoundSmith basically reverse engineered the cartridges, so they are similar to B&O but aren't actually directly identical. I don't know if there are any patent issues still involved that would prevent someone else from making a B&O compatible cartridge. I wouldn't think so, since a patent lasts something like 17 years.

 

[theophile]

Granted, though they are still "B&O" indirectly (rebadged)...and still proprietary.

Just to clarify (not to argue)... Yes, it's still a "proprietary" cartridge system, but the SoundSmiths are not rebadged B&Os. From what I read, SoundSmith wanted to start making the cartridges and contacted B&O who claimed that none of the original tooling or even the design drawings still existed. SoundSmith basically reverse engineered the cartridges, so they are similar to B&O but aren't actually directly identical. I don't know if there are any patent issues still involved that would prevent someone else from making a B&O compatible cartridge. I wouldn't think so, since a patent lasts something like 17 years.

JonL is quite correct.Soundsmith do not purchase cartridges from B&O and tweek/relabel them,Soundsmith make their cartridges.Whether they get someone else to do the machining,and they do the assembly;I don't know.