Bang & Olufsen MMC-5000 (1974–1980)
At just 4 grams, this cartridge was built to track quadraphonic vinyl with a Shibata tip and a wide frequency range.
Overview
The Bang & Olufsen MMC-5000 is a precision cartridge from the peak of analog experimentation. It was released between 1974 and 1980, when quadraphonic sound was still a promise and high-end makers were pushing vinyl playback hard. It is a true MMC (Moving Micro Cross) design,
The MMC-5000 weighs only 4 grams, so it wants a lightweight, high-compliance tonearm. The 25 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne compliance suggests it isn't fussy within that range. Tracking force is a modest 1.5g, and owners need to respect it to protect both record and stylus. The aluminum alloy cantilever carries a Shibata-tipped stylus, known for tracing high-frequency modulations deep in the groove. That matters on CD-4 quadraphonic discs, which this cartridge is explicitly designed to handle.
Frequency response is rated at 20 Hz to 15 kHz ± 2 dB under standard conditions. Some documentation gives a broader theoretical range of 15 Hz to 45 kHz, likely under ideal laboratory playback. Whether that upper extension gives any audible benefit on consumer gear is undocumented. Channel separation is 25dB at 1kHz and channel balance is held within 1.5 dB, which meets the tight tolerances needed for discrete four-channel playback, where imaging stability and crosstalk control are critical. Output is 3mV at 5cm/sec, standard for a high-output MMC, so it works with most MM phono stages when loaded to the specified 47k Ω impedance.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bang & Olufsen |
| Type | MMC Cartridge |
| Frequency characteristic | 20 Hz to 15 kHz ± 2 dB |
| Needle tip | Shibata |
| Stylus Diameter | CD-4 |
| Proper needle pressure | 1.5g |
| Channel separation | 25dB (1kHz) |
| Channel balance | Within 1.5 dB |
| Compliance | 25 x 10^-6 cm/dyne |
| Vertical tracking angle | 20° |
| Output voltage | 3mV (5cm/sec) |
| Load impedance | 47k Ω |
| Dead weight | 4g |
| Cantilever | Aluminum alloy |
| Exchange needle | Replace with new (price unknown) |
Collectibility & Value
The MMC-5000 is a niche within a niche: quadraphonic vinyl playback. Its original price was reportedly around 249 DM, a premium figure for the mid-1970s. Market value today is all over the place. One dealer lists a unit at €750.00, presumably for a tested, complete example. An auction at the same time shows a current bid of just €2. Condition, provenance and buyer awareness clearly swing the price. The stylus is replaceable, but the cost of a new one is unknown, and original parts may be hard to find. No common failures or maintenance quirks are documented, so long-term reliability is an open question.
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