e-bay said i won, what do you think:? b&o 1900

[royphil345]

Soundsmith is the one making replacement cartridges for B&O. Their version of the MMC 20 e is $229.00. You could spend more and get a nude stylus or a fancier stylus shape. http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridge...x.html#classic

That's why the B&O tables sell for very reasonable prices. For that kind of money, you'd have many, many cartridge choices for a standard table. Still... I think it will be worth the money for the sound you get... Maybe not the bargain you thought it was...

Unfortunately, you almost have to assume the stylus is toast on any used table. Your records are at stake... Record damage begins to occur before you can hear that a stylus is getting worn. If there's someone in your area with a stylus microscope that knows how to use it (rare), you could have it checked out.

A new belt might be a good idea. Sometimes they are already replaced by the seller on an older table. That table uses a belt / idler wheel drive. Very, very lightly sanding around the idler wheel and applying some belt dressing usually does wonders for torque and speed stability on older tables. The idler wheels tend to get a very thin, hardened glaze around the edge over time that is very slippery.

Congrats on your new table!!! I hope it arrives safely. Chances of that seem to be about 50/50 when purchasing a used turntable on eBay. Definitely insist on an insured delivery method (UPS, FedEx, or insurance added to USPS). Do not go through with the deal unless you have it in writing that the package will be insured.

[nobody]

I had one of those B&O tangential tracking tables years back. It looked really nice, lasted forever, and sounded good, but I ditched it because the cartridges went out of circulation, outside those really expensive soundsmith jobs. Besides that, it's nice to be able to choose from a variety of carts instead of being stuck with one brand.

To be honest, it will do the job and will sound nice, but if you have to spend almost $250 on a new cartridge, it gets to the point where you can grab something else that you can use multiple cartridges with for not a whole lot more.