B+O MMC2 cartridge What line grade was it,any good

Gabbro thanks for the info getting inside the table.I will be wanting to check this cartridge out further as what I heard sounds promising,another project.

Thanks Siniy123 and Clio09,but what does NOS mean,I'm not quite sure,you mean original.I would like to get that adapter and hear what it sounds like on a better table but I'm taking my clearaudio off my rega.

The MMC-2 is an excellent cartridge. I have one mounted on an SME Series III tonearm that I use with my Galibier Design Serac turntable. I purchased the acrylic adapter from Soundsmith so I can use the cartridge on non-B&O tonearms.

This particular cartridge was purchased as an upgrade for my B&O RX2 turntable that I purchased back in the late 80's. The cartridge ended up sitting in the box unused for over 20 years. I finally broke it out and couldn't believe how good it sounds. I also bought a B&O 8002 table that came with an MMC-2. I had the table restored by Soundmith. Incredible table for the money.

I can report that my NOS MMC2 was flawless and top performer.

I have had the SMMC1 for about a month now and I have listened to digital only for comparison since. It is surprisingly detailed, appears to present an even response top to bottom, and has a pleasantly wide but not overly so soundstage. My only complaint at the moment relates to a slight reduction in soundstage depth as compared to my Cary 308T cdp, and the production of excessive sibilants on some female vocals. However, I am only using the stock phono stage on a MF A3cr pre at the moment, so I wonder if an upgrade there might alleviate these problems. I have been seriously considering either adding an external phono stage or significantly upgrading my preamp to something with a good onboard phono stage.

It looks like you have to completely open the RX2 to change the belt; my replacement has arrived but I have not yet turned the screwdriver. BTW, there is a hidden black recessed knob on the bottom of the RX2 that sets tracking for the MMC2; you should check it. If your MMC2 turns out to be in good shape, I wonder if it fits the acrylic adaptor for the SMMCx series sold by Soundsmith?

Thanks Gabbro,how do you like the SMMC1?What do you think about the RX2 table.I have 11 tables and got my dual 1229 and 1219's running again at least on 33.I'm thinking of putting that $50. audiotechnica on one.I put one on my friends rotel and was quite surprised.Am I going to be able to open up the RX2 to replace the belt easily?Next project is getting my mint condition dual 1019 to keep from one channel fading out,all auto functions work,I like the fat 45 spindle dropping 45's.

The web address in the second response is www.sound-smith.com. You can also get a replacement belt from Bob at Vintage Electronics in Kentucky at www.vintage-electronics.cc/ , which might be advisable. You can also find the original manual online (or maybe from Bob also). I have had an RX2 since 1985, but it went unused for most of the past 20 years. I resurrected it recently and replaced an MMC3 with a Soundsmith SMMC1. The old B&O carts will deteriorate with age even unused; my old MMC3 yielded a grainy sound and did not track properly - it did not do this when I last had an episode of using it 10 years ago. An advantage of the SMMC1 is that you can purchase an adaptor to fit it to other tone arms if you decide not to use the B&O or if you have another table, which is my plan.

Many thanks for the info.Would you believe this was going to be thrownout.I wanted to put a bid on it,tried it but it wouldn't stay running,when to pick a couple records I won at auction and they asked if I wanted it before they throw it out.I would like to try that cartridge on a better table.Got it home and found it needs a record on platter to run.

Siniy123 is correct, my bad, thanks for the correction. Both the MMC1 and MMC2 have the same cantilever.

-RW-

MMC2 has sapphire tube cantilever

The MMC2 was B&O's second best cartridge. It is essentially the same as their top-line cartridge (MMC1) except it did not fall within certain test parameters when tested by B&O.

These are very good cartridges, and not generally found on an RX2, they usually came with the MMC3/MMC4/MMC5.

It is a "contact-line" stylus with a beryllium cantilever.

The cartridge can be removed from the tonearm by gently holding the tonearm with one hand and using the other hand to pull/wiggle the cartridge off the arm.

I have a B&O BG9000 which is their top-pline turntable (tangential tracker) and both MMC2 and MMC1 cartridges. The MMC2 sells for about $400-500 now abd the MMC1 can be found for $750+

You should have the cartridge inspected under a microscope. If the stylus is good, you snagged a pretty nice piece. You could really do that cartridge justice by finding one of B&O's tangential tracking turntables to use it on.

Contact me offline if you need/want more info...

-RW- (rlwainwright AT gmail DOT com)

I have a B&O TX-2 and got a replacement cartridge from

www.soundsmith.com

They are great to deal with and have their own B&O replacements as well as rebuilt B&O.

Ther is an aftermarket producer of the BO p mounted carideges. I just can't recall the name right now,