Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice
- Thread starter Joe Mac
- Start date
Crabbers
Well-Known Member
So..many of you know that my mofi studiodeck broke right before the holidays. The plan was to send it to mofi to try and get it replaced, but then tax season hit and that was delayed.
Now to my present dilemma …wife recently said I can get a new one so…decisions decisions
What would you do ?
A) get it still fixed and replaced by mofi
B) go for a newly discounted mofi table
C) go for something else (under $1000 preferably) I have a Vincent pho preamp/onkyo amp/wharfedale linton speakers / and a few carts like orto bronze/ sae super deal cart/etc
I’m kinda leaning towards c but didn’t know what might be a great alternate.
Thanks
Now to my present dilemma …wife recently said I can get a new one so…decisions decisions
What would you do ?
A) get it still fixed and replaced by mofi
B) go for a newly discounted mofi table
C) go for something else (under $1000 preferably) I have a Vincent pho preamp/onkyo amp/wharfedale linton speakers / and a few carts like orto bronze/ sae super deal cart/etc
I’m kinda leaning towards c but didn’t know what might be a great alternate.
Thanks
kvetcha
Chet Hanks' Filmography Buff
How much is the repair going to run you?
Did you like the SD?
Crabbers
Well-Known Member
I have no clue…it’s very tough to get ahold of them and when I did..they said I would have to send it in for an estimate
Crabbers
Well-Known Member
I did but I found it hard to switch carts effectively and then whole fact of break easily kinda turned me off
MikeH
Well-Known Member
i think if i got another TT, I'd get one with a removable headshell to swap carts. I'd really love to have a mono cart on a headshell ready to swap in for some of my early mono records
Hemotep
Well-Known Member
I was thinking the same, and it's frustrating how many great tables don't have that option.
You know what I’m going to tell you.
Technics.
The SL-100C is close to your budget. It comes with the AT VM95C- but you can upgrade that just by changing the stylus.
Or if you want the strobe/speed adjust, the SL-1200 Mk7 is the same price but no cartridge. I’ve found 1 record in my collection where the adjustable speed is beneficial.
They are well engineered and well built. Low/no maintenance. The only thing I don’t like is the non hinged dust cover.
kvetcha
Chet Hanks' Filmography Buff
Yeah, I understand.
The StudioDeck is still a very nice table, and I think repair is likely to be the most cost-efficient path. I would send it to MoFi, get it fixed up, and then start looking to sell it for another deck if that's still where your heart is. Otherwise you're stuck trying to offload a busted recent-model table, which is no fun. Then at least you are recouping some money in the process.
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@Crabbers I would try to trade in your SD to Music Direct. They might give you something for it even though it’s broken. Technics is an easy set it and forget it.
Angsty
Well-Known Member
Is he looking for a tape loop or just a line-level input from the cassette deck?
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Angsty
Well-Known Member
At under $1000, the Pioneer PLX-1000 is an option, too. Removable headshell but no hinged dust cover, either. @HayesWeighsIn may still have his used one for sale if you want to go that route.
HayesWeighsIn
Well-Known Member
I do!
@Crabbers This is a great deal. I really liked mine when I had it.
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
Ditto and same
Russ I
Well-Known Member
I could use some help thinking about a cartridge upgrade.
As I've posted about here, I now own a Garrard 401 with SME 3012 II tonearm. Currently, I have a Denon DL-103R mounted on the SME and I think it sounds pretty good. I've had that cart for about 5 years, but I don't think I could possibly have more than a couple-hundred hours on it. Kind of beside the point, though, because eventually I'm going to want to upgrade, to the extent that is possible, and I'm not sure what I should be looking at.
Reading online whatever I can find that might help me figure this out, I've identified a few possibilities. Any opinions on these would be welcome, as would any recommendations, especially if they are accompanied by convincing support.
It's almost impossible to search for opinions about this without running across mention of Ortofon SPU's. Based on what I've read, SME tonearms were made for SPU's, or vice versa. Currently, there are quite a few SPU options, and I'm thinking Classic GE MK II would be the one I'd want to look at. What I don't know is whether this is as good a fit today as it may have been 50-60 years ago.
Another interesting option I've run across is the Denon DL-A110, which comes mounted on a proprietary headshell. I suspect it would be similar to the DL-103R, but things I've read about it suggest it might be better.
A final option I've run across is a Goldring cartridge, perhaps the 2500. But I know very little about these, and whether they would work well with the SME tonearm.
Again, any advice, suggestions, etc., would be very much appreciated.
Oh, I should have admitted that I'm partial to the SPU option, partly because there's vintage appeal, and partly because it just looks so cool. Just would need to know if it actually would be a good choice.
As I've posted about here, I now own a Garrard 401 with SME 3012 II tonearm. Currently, I have a Denon DL-103R mounted on the SME and I think it sounds pretty good. I've had that cart for about 5 years, but I don't think I could possibly have more than a couple-hundred hours on it. Kind of beside the point, though, because eventually I'm going to want to upgrade, to the extent that is possible, and I'm not sure what I should be looking at.
Reading online whatever I can find that might help me figure this out, I've identified a few possibilities. Any opinions on these would be welcome, as would any recommendations, especially if they are accompanied by convincing support.
It's almost impossible to search for opinions about this without running across mention of Ortofon SPU's. Based on what I've read, SME tonearms were made for SPU's, or vice versa. Currently, there are quite a few SPU options, and I'm thinking Classic GE MK II would be the one I'd want to look at. What I don't know is whether this is as good a fit today as it may have been 50-60 years ago.
Another interesting option I've run across is the Denon DL-A110, which comes mounted on a proprietary headshell. I suspect it would be similar to the DL-103R, but things I've read about it suggest it might be better.
A final option I've run across is a Goldring cartridge, perhaps the 2500. But I know very little about these, and whether they would work well with the SME tonearm.
Again, any advice, suggestions, etc., would be very much appreciated.
Oh, I should have admitted that I'm partial to the SPU option, partly because there's vintage appeal, and partly because it just looks so cool. Just would need to know if it actually would be a good choice.
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Jbraswell
Well-Known Member
I love the Denon gear. The are a underrated, quality mfg.I could use some help thinking about a cartridge upgrade.
As I've posted about here, I now own a Garrard 401 with SME 3012 II tonearm. Currently, I have a Denon DL-103R mounted on the SME and I think it sounds pretty good. I've had that cart for about 5 years, but I don't think I could possibly have more than a couple-hundred hours on it. Kind of beside the point, though, because eventually I'm going to want to upgrade, to the extent that is possible, and I'm not sure what I should be looking at.
Reading online whatever I can find that might help me figure this out, I've identified a few possibilities. Any opinions on these would be welcome, as would any recommendations, especially if they are accompanied by convincing support.
It's almost impossible to search for opinions about this without running across mention of Ortofon SPU's. Based on what I've read, SME tonearms were made for SPU's, or vice versa. Currently, there are quite a few SPU options, and I'm thinking Classic GE MK II would be the one I'd want to look at. What I don't know is whether this is as good a fit today as it may have been 50-60 years ago.
Another interesting option I've run across is the Denon DL-A110, which comes mounted on a proprietary headshell. I suspect it would be similar to the DL-103R, but things I've read about it suggest it might be better.
A final option I've run across is a Goldring cartridge, perhaps the 2500. But I know very little about these, and whether they would work well with the SME tonearm.
Again, any advice, suggestions, etc., would be very much appreciated.
Oh, I should have admitted that I'm partial to the SPU option, partly because there's vintage appeal, and partly because it just looks so cool. Just would need to know if it actually would be a good choice.
The 110 Anniversary amp is pure bliss and they did a nice job on all the products launched.
The amp does everything very well.
That being said I don't know the DL-A110 will really overtake the 103R by a significant means.
However I have only run the 103R before...
The ART carts from AT are jaw dropping but I'm not sure of the compliance math.
Highly recommend if in your budget. The OC9 is also highly regarded.
Angsty
Well-Known Member
Steve at Vinyl Audio Science makes a series of wood-bodied Denon DL-103 mods that may give your old one a second life. Here is a description of one:
VAS Ebony 103
The VAS Ebony 103 is a new edition to the VAS line of cartridges. Building upon the original and highly successful Denon DL-103, Steve of VAS enhances its low output performance by using an Ebony wood body to warm up and amplify the sound for rich music. In addition, a refined nude hyper elliptical stylus is installed for detailed pickup. Increasing the mass to 12.5 grams further stabilizes the cartridge for steady playback of your LP, similar to the Ortofon SPU’s and EMT cartridges. This cartridge is ideal for jazz and soft rock.
There are two other versions. Give him a shout if you're interested.
The SPU will work. Some don’t like them because of the 4 gram tracking force, but your records won’t be damaged.I could use some help thinking about a cartridge upgrade.
As I've posted about here, I now own a Garrard 401 with SME 3012 II tonearm. Currently, I have a Denon DL-103R mounted on the SME and I think it sounds pretty good. I've had that cart for about 5 years, but I don't think I could possibly have more than a couple-hundred hours on it. Kind of beside the point, though, because eventually I'm going to want to upgrade, to the extent that is possible, and I'm not sure what I should be looking at.
Reading online whatever I can find that might help me figure this out, I've identified a few possibilities. Any opinions on these would be welcome, as would any recommendations, especially if they are accompanied by convincing support.
It's almost impossible to search for opinions about this without running across mention of Ortofon SPU's. Based on what I've read, SME tonearms were made for SPU's, or vice versa. Currently, there are quite a few SPU options, and I'm thinking Classic GE MK II would be the one I'd want to look at. What I don't know is whether this is as good a fit today as it may have been 50-60 years ago.
Another interesting option I've run across is the Denon DL-A110, which comes mounted on a proprietary headshell. I suspect it would be similar to the DL-103R, but things I've read about it suggest it might be better.
A final option I've run across is a Goldring cartridge, perhaps the 2500. But I know very little about these, and whether they would work well with the SME tonearm.
Again, any advice, suggestions, etc., would be very much appreciated.
Oh, I should have admitted that I'm partial to the SPU option, partly because there's vintage appeal, and partly because it just looks so cool. Just would need to know if it actually would be a good choice.
The Hanas will work well, as will the Ortofon Quintet Black S.