New turntable -- Rega vs VPI vs MoFi

Emlyn

I've had the same turntable, a Music Hall MMF-7, for the last twenty years and am thinking about upping the game with a new one in a big way without going overboard. Some cartridges alone do cost more than a used car these days! The MMF-7 is what I considered to be entry level while still being just good enough to produce better toe-tapping sound than from CD. I'm aiming for something that's a lot better and not that interested in tinkering with setup and micro-adjustments so would just get one with a matched cartridge ready installed.

The models I'm considering are Rega Planar 6 through 10 or a VPI Prime. The MoFi Ultradeck turntable with cartridge also has my attention because it costs less. They all seem to take very different approaches in design.

Anyone got experience with recent models?

Clipdat

Have you considered any direct drive models from Technics?

Emlyn

I still have an SL1200MKII that was built near their end of original production. Great for rocking out and a fun table, but too noisy to use long term. The MMF-7 produces a more refined sound.

Clipdat

Rgr that.

I certainly wouldn't mind owning this Rega! https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/Rega-Planar-10-Turntable

Sorry this doesn't really help your thread.

Emlyn

That does help really because I had forgot to look into the more recent rebirth of the Technics direct drive tables to see if they really improved on the motor noise and tonearm interaction somehow. I think I saw they've been trying to market and sell an "audiophile" version for $20K.

Clipdat

Yeah they definitely have some premium priced models now for sure. It's funny because the Technics vs Rega design approach for their turntables is pretty much completely opposite.

jdjohn

A couple of features to consider:

1) The Rega arm does not have adjustable VTA/tonearm height. I'm sure their Rega carts will be plug-and-play, but just pointing it out. The lack of this feature has been a bone of contention over the years with Rega arms...especially for the price paid.

2) The VPI has a unipivot arm. Unipivots can be fiddly with adjustments, although I'm sure VPI has done everything possible to make it simple. Unipivots can have sonic advantages, so usually worth the trouble.

I would also consider an EAT (European Audio Team) turntable. They have unipivot arms, but a somewhat simpler design than VPI.

Or for something completely different, maybe one of George Merrill's modern designs: http://www.hifigem.com/polytable.html Not the sexiest in looks, but should sound great.

jbreezy5

I don’t love Rega, but have always fancied one of these:

https://www.michell-engineering.co.uk/michell-gyrodec-turntable

SIHAB

Emlyn wrote: »

That does help really because I had forgot to look into the more recent rebirth of the Technics direct drive tables to see if they really improved on the motor noise and tonearm interaction somehow. I think I saw they've been trying to market and sell an "audiophile" version for $20K.

There is some motor noise on the Ultratracker but it doesn't really bother me as I can't hear
anything at the speaker end. You have to be about right on top of it to notice it. It's a nice
sounding table that responded well to regenerated power.

Emlyn

The EAT C-Sharp has my attention. Apparently somewhat related to Pro-Ject tables coming out of the Czech Republic for decades. I think the Music Hall tables may have been from there too. EAT seems to have restarted manufacture of high quality Tesla tubes as well so it seems they're a serious business.

A thing that bothers me about the new Rega tables is I have a hard time wrapping my head around their use of foam for the plinth and being able to explain to someone that a table that looks like that costs several thousand dollars and looks like a toy. They may call the foam by a fancy name and say it's used in aerospace applications but it's still foam and it's very visible as such. They also seem to have a reputation for sounding kind of thin which is not something I'd be happy with since I listen to a wide variety of music. VPI has always struck me as being fussy to live with.

The EAT table doesn't seem to have a problem with bass plus it looks like a traditional turntable should, as does the MoFi table...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nbwUpan7wc

jdjohn

Did @BlueFox get a turntable and record that video?
That model does look...what for it...sharp

xsmi

If I could afford it, I'd have a Prime. During the lockdown last year, I watched a lot of VPI videos on Youtube, and the tech in that table just makes so much sense to me.

SCompRacer

jdjohn wrote: »

Or for something completely different, maybe one of George Merrill's modern designs: http://www.hifigem.com/polytable.html Not the sexiest in looks, but should sound great.

I agree, you should take a look at this table. Merrill is all about function first. The design of the table and the digital speed control means optimum speed control without having to purchase add on power supplies, like with some other tables.

The Sorane arms have adjustable VTA but not on the fly though.

tratliff

I have had a Prime for the last few years. I also have a Denon DD. I haven’t looked back after getting the VPI. As has been said it was fussy at first but after break-In and final adjustment it’s been nothing but great listening. The uni-pivot does take some getting use to but not sure I would trade it unless my budget was greatly increased.

jdjohn

Emlyn wrote: »

A thing that bothers me about the new Rega tables is I have a hard time wrapping my head around their use of foam for the plinth and being able to explain to someone that a table that looks like that costs several thousand dollars and looks like a toy. They may call the foam by a fancy name and say it's used in aerospace applications but it's still foam and it's very visible as such. They also seem to have a reputation for sounding kind of thin which is not something I'd be happy with since I listen to a wide variety of music.

Regarding the foam, I was just reading that there have been complaints about the foam plinths warping/sagging over time, and Rega is basically saying, "Nah...it's all good."

jdjohn

SCompRacer wrote: »

jdjohn wrote: »

Or for something completely different, maybe one of George Merrill's modern designs: http://www.hifigem.com/polytable.html Not the sexiest in looks, but should sound great.

I agree, you should take a look at this table. Merrill is all about function first. The design of the table and the digital speed control means optimum speed control without having to purchase add on power supplies, like with some other tables.

The Sorane arms have adjustable VTA but not on the fly though.

Of course a person could jump to this level of a Merrill turntable: https://www.realturntable.com/

But you'd have to multiply the price by about 3 compared to his PolyTable offering.

F1nut

I was looking at the EAT and VPI tables and ended up with a VPI, but I don't think one could go wrong with the EAT. The VPI is not a plug and play, it takes a few adjustments to get going, but once done you're good to go. I recommend Soundsmith carts.

As for the Unipivot they offer an optional plate and point device, which I bought. It steadies the arm without hurting the performance. Some say it improves the performance.

jdjohn

@Emlyn not sure if you're committed to buying brand-new, but shamelessly, I have a Clearaudio Concept MC tt that needs a good home. It sounds fantastic, but I need to thin the herd.

Emlyn

That's a really nice table, but I am looking to get a new table and keep it for a long time. I'm leaning in the VPI direction a bit.

jdjohn

Understood...just wanted to throw it out there.
You can't go wrong with VPI. I was recently considering a used HW-19, but it couldn't accommodate the longer arm I wanted to utilize.

guyincognito

I have a current model Rega Planar 8, Apheta 3 cartridge and my Dad has a current model Rega Planar 6, Ania Pro cartridge. We both previously had the regular base Ania cartridge before upgrading. Both decks sound wonderful to me. I don't notice any bass lacking compared to my digital source for what ever that is worth. The sagging plinth issue brought up above was an issue with the previous generation Planar 8/10 and to my knowledge was fixed with the redesign of the plinth on the current model. I have read no reports of any sagging issues regarding the current model. I get that the styling isn't for everyone but I certainly don't think it looks cheap or poorly made in person. Just my two cents though.

Emlyn

That's a good looking setup! Thanks for the advice and photo.

displayname

tratliff wrote: »

I have had a Prime for the last few years. I also have a Denon DD. I haven’t looked back after getting the VPI. As has been said it was fussy at first but after break-In and final adjustment it’s been nothing but great listening. The uni-pivot does take some getting use to but not sure I would trade it unless my budget was greatly increased.

I've heard this specific Prime. I would take it over my MoFi Ultradeck. It's double the price, so it makes sense. But if I was going to double my money, I'd be giving a hard look at the Prime series and the Technics 1200G.

displayname

On the Rega options, I do think they sound very good, and the design is wild. Picking up a Rega plinth and feeling how lightweight it is in the hand is a trip. I think it's probably the most plug and play option. But moving to non-Rega cart often involves spacers and just more effort in general. I went elsewhere because I didn't want to feel somewhat confined to the Rega ecosystem.

SCompRacer

jdjohn wrote: »

Of course a person could jump to this level of a Merrill turntable: https://www.realturntable.com/

But you'd have to multiply the price by about 3 compared to his PolyTable offering.

I'm all in for helping Emlyn spend.

Emlyn

Got an EAT C-Sharp Reference on the way!

Thanks for the advice given on what's out there. The EAT seems to fit best with what I'm looking for in terms of ease of use and just enough engineering where it matters without costing an arm and a leg. I almost bought a Rega Planar 8 or 10 last week but just couldn't justify that kind of money on British built electronics.



Should be quite a step up, and the death metal playback videos got my attention. I don't usually listen to that but neither do I only listen to classical or jazz. I'll find out for sure when I get it later this week, but it seems to be more on the aggressive rather than polite side of the turntable sound spectrum without the sound falling apart on demanding music like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiF717eFlCE

SCompRacer

Well congrats! Which cartridge did you get?

Emlyn

I went with the included/mounted option which is an Ortofon Quintet Black, which amounts to a $500 discount from the MSRP. Seems to be decent and I generally like Ortofon products anyway.

SIHAB

Congrats! Hope you like it.

TroyD

I’ve got an older VPI Scoutmaster and a new Rega P6 tricked out with a few upgrades.....

If you put a gun to my head, I’m sticking with the VPI.....music just appears from blackness. It is deliberate and solid and the bass is taught and tuneful. The Rega is lighter and just musical. The VPI is a bit more fiddly.....but not like the suspension tables. Rega is plug and play for the most part.

Both are solid choices.

Emlyn

I may still end up with a VPI or Rega table in the next few years.