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Info on B&O MMC5 cartridge wanted...Bang & Olufsen/Soundsmith

Posted by Mr Blue Sky (A) on December 3, 2017 at 16:35:49

I recently picked up a used B&O RX-2 turntable at a thrift store and just tossed in the back of the car, considering it a piece of trash with absurd looking build quality. I was surprised when I hooked it up and found that it produced very decent, satisfying, full-range sound. Not what I was expecting from a thin piece of plastic. The cartridge is the MMC5, which I understand is at the bottom of the line. I like the sound of this unit as it seems rather warm, which I like. Is this normal for this cartridge or is it just that the stylus is worn to death and the highs are gone? I've found comments wherein people make reference to it's detail and lack of bass, but I'm not hearing a lack of bass and it sounds what most people would be considered rolled-off. This makes me curious about other B&O cartridges in pursuit of the warm and dark, smooth sound that I prefer. My other question is regarding the MMC20S, which as far as I can tell is the only spherical stylus they made. How does the MMC20 series compare to the MMC1-5? Are these the same more or less? Other than the super early stuff, did they ever produce any other late period conical or spherical styli? And finally, hearing the MMC5 sound so good in the B&O turntable it makes me wonder what it would sound like on my Lenco with my wood tonearm. How much of the RX-2 sound is coming from the deck itself? Are these considered good sounding turntables or am I primarily hearing the cartridge and would boost it's performance by installing it on a "real" turntable? I am tempted to order the Soundsmith MMC4 and try it, but in my experience, they make everything bright. It is not the same cartridge, but they have made "improvements" aka, I assume, more brightness. After Soundsmith ruined my old Grace cartridge and turned it screaming bright in concert with the 4 month wait period, I am skeptical. They have somehow managed to pass off what is essentially miserable service as premium, worth the wait. At the prices they're charging, they should be able to afford to hire enough staff to turn these things around in a couple of weeks. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone knows of the German company who rebuilds these cartridges? And if you are familiar with B&O cartridges, what is the warmest sounding one you have ever heard?

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