Got the turntable itch

displayname · January 2

msg wrote: »

Interesting. What sold you on the Ultradeck over the Technics?

This is several years ago now, so take it with a grain of salt. Also not the best comparison, but it was a true buying experience. I asked the dealer if I could demo the UD with the Mofi MasterTracker, but I requested we pair the Technics with the cart of his choice that would put the two turntables at about the same price OTD. And I don't remember any more which cart he selected with the Technics, but I figure that's important info for this. He also had me bring in my Sutherland 20/20 to have a little more comparison compared to what I was using at home.

At the end of the day, the Mofi was a little smoother, and a little less bright in that demo. That's the main thing I remember. My system at that time was already a little bright, so it felt like a better fit. Compared to the 1200GR, the Mofi also felt a little more substantial to me from what I recall.

Could have been the cart. Could have been the other associated equipment, could have been the day. Both were honestly great. Now the pricing isn't quite the same, which gives the mofi a real edge in my mind.

I can tell you this though, while the Mofi has been very low maintained, I have had to change the belt and lube the bearing. I probably wouldn't have had to do anything at all on the Technics. And I think about that constantly when I consider upgrading. The 1200G has always kept my attention because of that.

skipshot12 · January 2

Letting your ears make your choice 👍

msg · January 2

Gotcha on the timeframe and details. Really insightful info across the board.

Still though - interesting that the Mofi won out for you at that time. Yeah, I was thinking possibly the cart on the Technics as I was reading through before I got to the part where you mentioned it.

I will say, though, that after reading up on the UltraDeck, there are some really neat design refinements in that table that put it above those like the lower/mid level Pro-ject Debut Carbon type tables, which itself is a pretty decent setup, if not light and slight imho. I prefer more heft in a turntable.

I go back and forth between Technics-love, and the simplicity of the "audiophile turntable" builds. You know, that type of build? - Simple MDF plinth, nearly just the absolute bare essentials for starters. I have a Pro-ject Debut Carbon with Orto Red on long-term loan that's nice for a change. It has the acrylic platter upgrade, as well as the Speedbox. I use a Fluance platter mat with it, and had not had a chance to try it with the Wayne's Edge Clamp; might be too heavy for that light of a build and its belt drive.

I returned to the Technics, preferring it overall, now, as I've chosen it for the baseline for modding/accessorizing, so it's more involving for me. Still have some things I'd like to do with the 1200/1210 platform.

I used to hate those audiophile-simple tables, but they grew on me quite a bit after getting the Pro-ject running. I should give it another shot for comparison. My system's evolved quite a bit since I last used it.

TroyD · January 2

So, couple thoughts here……no experience with the MoFi decks but have heard nothing but good things…..

That said, I’ve never been a DD turntable guy……I’ve played around with a couple older Denon’s, high cool factor but just never struck my fancy.

The older AR turntables just sound good. Way better than they should and are relatively unfussy and plentifuI. What I don’t like is setting up cartridges on an AR.

I have had a VPI Scoutmaster for about 15 years and am a big fan of the Scout series….what I like is that it’s the one thing I have never had the desire to upgrade.

Rega, makes an eminently simple and musical deck. I’ve had a P1, P3 and have a tricked out P6 in the living room. Groovetracer makes some great aftermarket upgrades that give more audiophile satisfaction….better treble extension, better bass and so forth but, man, nothing carries a tune like a Rega. If I were looking for a table to grow with….this is the route I would go.

Just my .02

displayname · January 3

TroyD wrote: »

So, couple thoughts here……no experience with the MoFi decks but have heard nothing but good things…..

That said, I’ve never been a DD turntable guy……I’ve played around with a couple older Denon’s, high cool factor but just never struck my fancy.

The older AR turntables just sound good. Way better than they should and are relatively unfussy and plentifuI. What I don’t like is setting up cartridges on an AR.

I have had a VPI Scoutmaster for about 15 years and am a big fan of the Scout series….what I like is that it’s the one thing I have never had the desire to upgrade.

Rega, makes an eminently simple and musical deck. I’ve had a P1, P3 and have a tricked out P6 in the living room. Groovetracer makes some great aftermarket upgrades that give more audiophile satisfaction….better treble extension, better bass and so forth but, man, nothing carries a tune like a Rega. If I were looking for a table to grow with….this is the route I would go.

Just my .02

I also demoed a P6 at the time, with a separate dealer on a separate day. I don't really want to speak to the sound given the totally different system and some time between, but functionally it does feel like a great middle ground between the two. Tweakable, more of the belt driven sound, great tone arm system, probably more upgradable than the 1200GR or the Mofi UD.

My biggest hesitation there was the cartridge situation. I wasn't sure yet if I was going to be a one and done type of cart person, or if I was going to have a desire to experiment regularly. The idea of needing shims for certain carts felt limiting. Now I recognize that I'm not a cart swapper, and I easily could be the type of person to go full Rega vinyl front end honestly.

I think I could be quite happy with a P8 > Apheta 3 > Aria phono chain. $6700 all in. Obviously above what we are talking about here, but I always day dream about the next upgrade path.

TroyD · January 3

I think that Rega gives you the best of both worlds…..it appeals to the tweaker and non tweaker. I wouldn’t sleep on the groovetracer upgrades though. The platter/sub platter upgrade improvements were not subtle…..

jdjohn · January 3

@muncybob Mentioned that he wanted to keep auto-return. I honestly don't know if any of the tt's being discussed here have that. I kind of doubt it, but have not checked them all.

Personally, I like the size and heft of my vintage Technics and Micro Seiki tt's.

displayname · January 3

jdjohn wrote: »

@muncybob Mentioned that he wanted to keep auto-return. I honestly don't know if any of the tt's being discussed here have that. I kind of doubt it, but have not checked them all.

Personally, I like the size and heft of my vintage Technics and Micro Seiki tt's.

Where was the auto-returned mentioned? I just quickly searched back through and I didn't see any mention of that.

Either way, that really doesn't tend to exist on any modern table that runs more than a few hundred dollars. I think it's largely viewed as noising mechanical parts that offer little value beyond potentially breaking and are difficult to build within a more robust plinth.

But if this is a significant requirement, a good looking solution is the Little Fwend. I haven't used this, but I totally understand why someone might be interested in adding one.
https://www.littlefwend.com/

agingboomer · January 3

@muncybob said on page 2 of this thread:

The tonearm is the original stock arm. I would not want to lose the semi-auto feature.

mhardy6647 · January 3

I wasn't crazy about direct drive either, until, at the advice of one of the New England gurus, I tried a venerable old

Sony 2251.

displayname · January 3

agingboomer wrote: »

@muncybob said on page 2 of this thread:

The tonearm is the original stock arm. I would not want to lose the semi-auto feature.

Missed it!

Yes, in that case it's going to severely limit options. I believe Danon makes a $500-600 option, and outside of that you're going vintage, which has it's own series of variables to consider.

In my mind that's just one more thing to break.

Polkitup2 · January 4

I just back into vinyl after a couple year hiatus and am enjoying it again. I have a Rega RP3 with a Clearaudio artist V2 cartridge and Groovtracer delrin platter and sub assembly. I had sold my McIntosh pre-amp which had a built in phono pre-amp and just recently bought a Cambridge Audio Alva Duo phono pre-amp which works very well. This relatively inexpensive setup sounds pretty darn good and I enjoy using it from time to time.

skipshot12 · January 4

A lot of tt people really like the semi-auto feature, including me.

If that was the reason to not check out tables that are full manual…. They do make an add-on for manuals that will lift your tonearm so you’re not bouncing off the end groove.

muncybob · January 4

By semi-auto, I was referring to exactly what skip said....just lifts the arm. Also, for a dd table it really has a fairly low noise floor, at least to my ears.

Got the turntable itch

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