MMF-5.1 on Saturday baby!

organ

Alright, my TT arrived at the shop yesterday. My dealer said that they've already got it set up for me so it's good to go once I get home.
My question is, should I just plug it in and play right away, or re-calibrate when I get home? I'm just worried that the car ride may knock it out of calibration.

Thanks

Toolfan66

Check the calibration.

organ

Thanks
That's what I thought. I'll just set the weight back to it's zero setting and see if the arm floats.

treitz3

Anytime a TT is moved or even the stand it sits on, it is wise to check the calibration.

organ

Thanks. I found a youtube video with a step by step guide on setting up the 5.1. Doesn't look too difficult.

hearingimpared

organ wrote: »

Thanks. I found a youtube video with a step by step guide on setting up the 5.1. Doesn't look too difficult.

Can you post the youtube vid here please?

Systems

Be careful with the setting of the VTF by simply dialing in the weight from zero. I have the same table and noticed that when I leveled my arm, zero'd out the dial, then set the tracking force to 1.7 grams I was actually off by a few clicks on the dial. I used a small digital scale to check the VTF and found that I needed to set the dial to 2.0 grams to actually be at 1.7 grams. I know this is a slight variation but it did make a difference. This may only apply to MY turntable but it could be worth the effort to check with a small scale. After setting the VTF to the cartridge's recommendation I checked the setting using Visual Analyzer 8.30.21. I then found I needed slightly more VTF to achieve the best results. I know this is a little anal but it did make a difference in the sound. I was also able to tweak the anti-skate with the analyzer. I also use a Pro-Ject Speed Box SE II and noticed a difference using the speed controller. Not much but it was a difference.

The YouTube video by Roy Hall is a simple primer for anyone that is in the newer stages of vinyl and wanting to know the ins and outs of basic TT set-up. If you are wanting more info on setting up and maintaining your turntable look into a DVD from Michael Fremer on TT set-up. Also you might want to invest in a GEO Disc and a test LP. Both are fairly reasonable and will come in handy as you indulge in the nasty addiction of vinyl.

Roy Hall on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIwVDiC0mZE

Just my 2 cents worth.

steveinaz

PICS man, pics!

organ

Thanks for the help guys. The counter weight had to be zeroed in again.

Hearingimpaired,
It's the video 187CAM posted. Very helpful for newbs like me.

187,
Thanks for the tip. I will order a digital gauge asap. I had a feeling I can't trust the cw. I can't wait to dial it in correctly. After that, I want to upgrade the phono pre to a tubed unit from ASL.

Steve,
I"m too cheap to buy a camera lol. I will borrow one. I should have pics by next week.


I am so amazed by the sound. I think I made a mistake by going tubes first. If I was to start again, a TT is the first thing to get. The richness, warmth, presence is so good. I've never heard music sound like this before. I can't believe how real acoustic guitars sound. Comparing the same albums, the vinyl is so much better than cd. The cd version sounds grainy, flat and has no body. Bass is so much stronger on the vinyl. The Fostex drivers in my Omegas sound like a completely different animal now.

Right now, I have the MMF-5.1 connected to a Golden Tube Audio pre amp and into an ASL Tulip. 3w/ch can make me run out of the room without breaking a sweat. The synergy is soo good. I'm really enjoying analog. Now I know what you guys are talking about.

hearingimpared

Now you just need to get a decent record clamp.

organ

lol:D. I knew you were gonna say that. Any recs for <$100? Do they really make that big of a difference? How tight should I make it? I'm not adding much pressure with the stock clamp. Just a quarter inch more after it has made contact with the record.

hearingimpared

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=36249

A good clamp will astound you as to the improvement it makes. If you buy the clamp above I will send you some shims that are used with my clamp.

You should make your clamp as tight as necessary to get that record to make intimate contact with the platter.

SCompRacer

organ wrote: »

I will order a digital gauge asap.

I use and like this one.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1241438931
It comes with batteries and a 5 gram weight. I tested it with some lighter weights and it was accurate.

Mehran is top shelf to deal with. He offers a package deal with an ONZO zerodust stylus cleaner. I love the zerodust too.

Glad to hear you are enjoying vinyl. It can be a deep dark rabbit hole, if you let it.

organ

Hearingimpaired,
Thanks. That's about as much as I'm willing to spend for a clamp. I will order one after I get my digital gauge.

SC,
Thanks for the link. That's the same type I plan to get. I see them around on ebay.