1. C’est Hi,

The cartridge rides too high, and looks dirty. A new one seems mandatory here, unless a good clean solves the issue (which I doubt). The  SSMC4 https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/bo/smmc4 from the Soundsmith comes to mind of course. Highly recommended. Check your contacts first.

Thanks for the information. I'll start checking the rca connector and clean the cartridge. Should have done that ofcourse. But how can the cartridge be too high? You mean that the metal cartridge is too stiff and pushes the whole arm up? I have increased the presure to a bit more than 1.5g and the sound is more normal now. But 1.5g is more than the 1.2g the manual recommends. But now the "33" light is flashing while playing. What does that mean. Is there a elecrolytic capasitor inside which could cause this problem?  

A flashing speed indicator indicates that the repeat function has been activated (you pressed Play more than once). The cartridge rides high as the cantilever suspension losen from the micro cross inside the cartridge and falls down. Next step is that the cantilever falls off entirely. That will happen very soon. Get it re-tipped. Martin

Oh dear. Doom is about to descent on me. On the link you supplied it says that the "mmc5 and mmc4 no rebuild". So are there other options? I see that a smmc4 is $229.