rmilewsk
rmilewsk's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 2 months ago
Joined: May 27 2006 - 7:10pm
my first turntable - what should I buy?
Jeff Wong
Jeff Wong's picture
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 3 days ago
Joined: Sep 6 2005 - 3:28am

There are many choices out there. As far as bang for buck/high value/stretching your dollars, maybe check out these? (If you need a phono preamp as well.)

MUSIC HALL - MMF-5 TURNTABLE W - GOLDRING G1012 MM CARTRIDGE

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AMHMMF5

BELLARI - VP129 TUBE PHONO PREAMP

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ABELVP129

You might find some good ideas in this thread:

http://forum.stereophile.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1120&an=0&page=4#Post1120

Monty
Monty's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 16 2005 - 6:55pm

Moving to a turntable system from so many years of CD playback could be somewhat disappointing with a relatively modest budget to spend. Although the die hard vinyl buffs will probably take exception to this, the fact of the matter is that a good vinyl rig is expensive compared to CD based systems. A good table like Jeff mentioned still needs a good phono preamp to even begin to approach CD quality resolution and dynamics. I mention this only to encourage you to invest a healthy portion of your budget for a competent phono stage.

Many phono sections in modestly priced gear is an after thought and often times very limited in sound quality. If you have a decent phono stage already, that's great. If not, prepare to spend as much on the phono stage as the table...if not more.

I recently got back into vinyl with a budget rig and a little NAD PP2 to test the waters so to speak. The PP2 didn't stay in the system very long and I would not recommend getting into vinyl without being willing to move considerably higher in the food chain for a preamp.

rmilewsk
rmilewsk's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 2 months ago
Joined: May 27 2006 - 7:10pm

I've always wondered what the differences are between moving coil and moving magnet cartridges? Why are there two different kinds and not one kind? Cost? Does one cost more but sound better?

CECE
CECE's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 3 months ago
Joined: Sep 17 2005 - 8:16am

Sound DIFFERENT, physcial make up is different. MM is exactly that, the magnet is attached to cantilever it moves. MC Magnet stationary, coil moves. Since different method is used to generate output voltage, it needs different loading of ckt. MC is supposed to be somehow "better" ? MM usually are a lot cheaper, with replaceable stylus. MC have become grossly overpriced, and most don't have replaceable stylus. Electrically they are not interchangable. Different requirements for correct operation. Strange, the company the invented MC don't make MC Grado. Which IS "BETTER"? Better for what? I prefer the sound of a no longer mfg Stanton MM CS100 over the Shure Vr Mx, or the Sumiko Blue Point specal MC (special cus' it runs on MM ckts, it's a high output MC, but what is optimum? Load it as an MC 100 OHM or as an MM 47K? But then I've read MC is not effected by loading, as are MM in it's operation. But then I was told by a ckt designer guru, if you add capacitance to more closely match the spec'd value for my Shure, Stanton, which are slightly different, it will only measure better, but actually not make it sound any better, the capacitance of the wires are enough to make it be fine. I guess it's close enough, cus' if it was way off it would adversly effect it? Blu-Ray coming and still discussing phono cartridges!!!!! 1930 is never going away?

JoeE SP9
JoeE SP9's picture
Offline
Last seen: 1 week 3 days ago
Joined: Oct 31 2005 - 6:02pm

Despite what some will say there are reasons for having a vinyl rig.
1.) If you have a large vinyl collection that you have built over the years you will want to play it.
2.) Some believe vinyl sounds better than RBCD's.
3.) TT's are cool!
The Music Hall MMF5 SE at $895 (www.needle doctor.com) with cartridge is a nice TT and good performer. You will need some kind of system to clean your vinyl. The Alsop Orbitrac is the best of the inexpensive devices to wash records. A brush of the Discwasher type is good to have for daily dustoffs.

rmilewsk
rmilewsk's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 2 months ago
Joined: May 27 2006 - 7:10pm

Two questions if I may?

Is the MMF5 SE that much better than the MMF5?

If I purchase a turntable preamp how do I hook up that preamp to my existing system?

ohfourohnine
ohfourohnine's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 7:41pm

Part of the difference between the SE and the regular MMF5 is cosmetic - the top plinth on the SE is walnut veneer. Other differences should contribute to better performance from the SE - better arm and cartridge and some possible improvements in vibration damping. I've not compared the two head to head. Both have good reputation for value. The $250 price difference may or may not be worth it to you.

Hook-up couldn't be more straightforward - turntable to phono preamp, and phono preamp to line level input on your integrated amp, receiver, or line level preamp (whichever you're using).

Good Luck.

Log in or register to post comments
-->
  • X