MoFi UltraDeck / StudioDeck Owners and those interested

[displayname]

I did not grease the barring. I did not let the platters settle over night. It dropped into place in about a minute.

Needs oil and a little time. It’s not as bad as starting a car without motor oil, but it’s the same principle. That’s likely the cause of the majority of the issues you listed.

 

[mindhead1]

Needs oil and a little time. It’s not as bad as starting a car without motor oil, but it’s the same principle. That’s likely the cause of the majority of the issues you listed.

Update on my Ultradeck. Things are looking up!

Per suggestions from @displayname and @kvetcha and a recommendation from Music Direct support I re-lubed the bearing. Music Direct recommended White Lithium Grease which I picked up for $3.99 @ Ace Hardware. The platter is now spinning at an average of 33.28 rpm vs the 33.14 rpm I was experiencing before the re-lube. Not perfect, but close enough that records don't sound slow to me like they did before which led to me taking measurements.

The other challenge I had to deal with was the VTA. When I first got the deck the arm level was below the platter. I adjusted it up and thought I had it set ok until I tried putting on the dust cover. I wasn't able to close the cover because it would hit the counter balance weight on the back of the arm. After some research and acquiring a VTA tool from Hudson HiFi I was able to lower the tone arm to what looks to be a proper level parallel to the platter with a record on it. This is not something I want to do on the regular. I now see why the adjustable VTA mechanism on Technics decks are so popular. Anyhow, I'm now able to close the dust cover without issues.

I've been playing records this afternoon and everything sounds great. I am hoping for many years of listening enjoyment from this deck. It's definitely a significant step up from the Project Evo I have been using the last 4 years. The hype on this deck is deserved.

That said, I'm disappointed with the initial experience with this product. Outside of basic assembly one shouldn't have this many issues when buying a product at this price point. I'm a pretty technical person and like to tinker and can find forums like this to get tips and troubleshoot, but most people aren't like that. When I compare this setup experience to that of my Evo or a U-Turn Orbit TT I helped a friend setup, decks which cost a fraction of the price, MoFi/ Music Direct have work to do on the customer experience front. I would not recommend these decks to a person who doesn't like to geek out on equipment.

 

[kvetcha]

Update on my Ultradeck. Things are looking up!

Per suggestions from @displayname and @kvetcha and a recommendation from Music Direct support I re-lubed the bearing. Music Direct recommended White Lithium Grease which I picked up for $3.99 @ Ace Hardware. The platter is now spinning at an average of 33.28 rpm vs the 33.14 rpm I was experiencing before the re-lube. Not perfect, but close enough that records don't sound slow to me like they did before which led to me taking measurements.

The other challenge I had to deal with was the VTA. When I first got the deck the arm level was below the platter. I adjusted it up and thought I had it set ok until I tried putting on the dust cover. I wasn't able to close the cover because it would hit the counter balance weight on the back of the arm. After some research and acquiring a VTA tool from Hudson HiFi I was able to lower the tone arm to what looks to a proper level parallel to the platter with a record on it. This is not something I want to do on the regular. I now see why the adjustable VTA mechanism on Technics decks are so popular. Anyhow, I'm now able to close the dust cover without issues.

I've been playing records this afternoon and everything sounds great. I am hoping for many users of listening enjoyment from this deck. It's definitely a significant step up from the Project Evo I have been using the last 4 years. The hype on this deck is deserved.

That said, I'm disappointed with the initial experience with this product. Outside of basic assembly one shouldn't have this many issues when buying a product at this price point. I'm a pretty technical person and like to tinker and can find forums like this to get tips and troubleshoot, but most people aren't like that. When I compare this setup experience to that of my Evo or a U-Turn Orbit TT I helped a friend setup, decks which cost a fraction of the price, MoFi/ Music Direct have work to do on the customer experience front. I would not recommend these decks to a person who doesn't like to geek out on equipment.

It’s quite unusual you had to tinker with the bearing and especially the VTA out of the box, but I’m glad you finally got it where you’re happy with it. It really is a great sounding table.

 

[Nee Lewman]

Update on my Ultradeck. Things are looking up!

Per suggestions from @displayname and @kvetcha and a recommendation from Music Direct support I re-lubed the bearing. Music Direct recommended White Lithium Grease which I picked up for $3.99 @ Ace Hardware. The platter is now spinning at an average of 33.28 rpm vs the 33.14 rpm I was experiencing before the re-lube. Not perfect, but close enough that records don't sound slow to me like they did before which led to me taking measurements.

The other challenge I had to deal with was the VTA. When I first got the deck the arm level was below the platter. I adjusted it up and thought I had it set ok until I tried putting on the dust cover. I wasn't able to close the cover because it would hit the counter balance weight on the back of the arm. After some research and acquiring a VTA tool from Hudson HiFi I was able to lower the tone arm to what looks to a proper level parallel to the platter with a record on it. This is not something I want to do on the regular. I now see why the adjustable VTA mechanism on Technics decks are so popular. Anyhow, I'm now able to close the dust cover without issues.

I've been playing records this afternoon and everything sounds great. I am hoping for many users of listening enjoyment from this deck. It's definitely a significant step up from the Project Evo I have been using the last 4 years. The hype on this deck is deserved.

That said, I'm disappointed with the initial experience with this product. Outside of basic assembly one shouldn't have this many issues when buying a product at this price point. I'm a pretty technical person and like to tinker and can find forums like this to get tips and troubleshoot, but most people aren't like that. When I compare this setup experience to that of my Evo or a U-Turn Orbit TT I helped a friend setup, decks which cost a fraction of the price, MoFi/ Music Direct have work to do on the customer experience front. I would not recommend these decks to a person who doesn't like to geek out on equipment.

I mean, as you go up the chain, decks seem to mostly get more difficult to set up.

 

[kvetcha]

I mean, as you go up the chain, decks seem to mostly get more difficult to set up.

Setting up the Sol feels like building a kit car.

 

[mindhead1]

It’s quite unusual you had to tinker with the bearing and especially the VTA out of the box, but I’m glad you finally got it where you’re happy with it. It really is a great sounding table.

It was an 'open box' deck, but the person I talked to at Music Direct told me it was in like new condition. I guess that was the price I had to pay to save $500. I also learned some things about turntables that I did not know and I think will help me in the future when I change the cart. I view that as a positive of my efforts over the weekend.

Everything is sounding good now. The last thing I'm waiting for to complete my revamped system is the MP7 preamp I ordered from Darlington Labs.

 

[kvetcha]

It was an 'open box' deck, but the person I talked to at Music Direct told me it was in like new condition. I guess that was the price I had to pay to save $500. I also learned some things about turntables that I did not know and I think will help me in the future when I change the cart. I view that as a positive of my efforts over the weekend.

Everything is sounding good now. The last thing I'm waiting for to complete my revamped system is the MP7 preamp I ordered from Darlington Labs.

Mine was all ready to go!

I think you’re going to be extremely happy with the new setup once it’s all in place.

 

[displayname]

Update on my Ultradeck. Things are looking up!

Per suggestions from @displayname and @kvetcha and a recommendation from Music Direct support I re-lubed the bearing. Music Direct recommended White Lithium Grease which I picked up for $3.99 @ Ace Hardware. The platter is now spinning at an average of 33.28 rpm vs the 33.14 rpm I was experiencing before the re-lube. Not perfect, but close enough that records don't sound slow to me like they did before which led to me taking measurements.

The other challenge I had to deal with was the VTA. When I first got the deck the arm level was below the platter. I adjusted it up and thought I had it set ok until I tried putting on the dust cover. I wasn't able to close the cover because it would hit the counter balance weight on the back of the arm. After some research and acquiring a VTA tool from Hudson HiFi I was able to lower the tone arm to what looks to be a proper level parallel to the platter with a record on it. This is not something I want to do on the regular. I now see why the adjustable VTA mechanism on Technics decks are so popular. Anyhow, I'm now able to close the dust cover without issues.

I've been playing records this afternoon and everything sounds great. I am hoping for many years of listening enjoyment from this deck. It's definitely a significant step up from the Project Evo I have been using the last 4 years. The hype on this deck is deserved.

That said, I'm disappointed with the initial experience with this product. Outside of basic assembly one shouldn't have this many issues when buying a product at this price point. I'm a pretty technical person and like to tinker and can find forums like this to get tips and troubleshoot, but most people aren't like that. When I compare this setup experience to that of my Evo or a U-Turn Orbit TT I helped a friend setup, decks which cost a fraction of the price, MoFi/ Music Direct have work to do on the customer experience front. I would not recommend these decks to a person who doesn't like to geek out on equipment.

On the speed, when my ran slow after a couple moves and a few years, I ordered a replacement belt and it immediately solved the problem.

On the set up, this may very well be attributed to the open box. It’s possible the person who initially opened the box tried to do what you did initially and tried to drop on a dry platter and spin. But they might have gone straight into tweaking causing the factory baseline to be thrown off.

I mean, as you go up the chain, decks seem to mostly get more difficult to set up.

I agree with this. Not universal, but very common.

 

[Angsty]

Music Direct recommended White Lithium Grease which I picked up for $3.99 @ Ace Hardware.

One thing about white lithium grease is that it does dry out over time. You may want to set a calendar reminder to re-lube annually or at least once every two years.

 

[Ghost]

Anyone else here running a Hana SL on their UD? If so can you send a pic of where your anti skate is?

 

[mindhead1]

Anyone else here running a Hana SL on their UD? If so can you send a pic of where your anti skate is?

From the UltraDeck Manual.

 

[kvetcha]

Anyone else here running a Hana SL on their UD? If so can you send a pic of where your anti skate is?

View attachment 193109
From the UltraDeck Manual.

Counting from the end of the pole, you want Ring 4. Ignore the very innermost ring.

 

[HayesWeighsIn]

Thanks for the response, @Joe Mac. Looking like I’m going high output. After reading @HiFi Guy ‘s review for the Darlington mm-6, I’ve added another option to the list, but I think the UltraPhono is probably still the right choice. I just didn’t want to be blinded by the discount and let that override my objectivity.

I did worry after reading this review article: Grado Labs Gold3 And Opus3 Phono Cartridge A nice pair of phono cartridges by Grado Labs. Review By Danko Šuvar Of HiFiMedia
“With MoFi SuperPhono, which sounded very good with Gold3, Opus3 sounded a little too present in the upper midrange and tipped up in high treble (a characteristic of MoFi). While that lift was complementing the Gold3 nicely, making it more open and analytical, with Opus it was slightly distracting.”

They corrected to read StudioPhono in the description of gear used at the end of the article. It just gave me the opportunity to further question myself. Damn rabbit hole.

Coming in a touch late here - sorry, board stopped notifying me of new posts on this thread! I can definitely see what the reviewer means, I ran an Opus3 low output through a StudioPhono at 46dB. The top end can feel a little… chimey up top? I’m now on to a Platinum3 high output, also at 46dB, and the top end is noticeably smoother, IMO.

That said, was it distracting? No. It was a hell of an engaging listen!

 

[Ghost]

Counting from the end of the pole, you want Ring 4. Ignore the very innermost ring.

Ahah! Okay, thats where I was off. I had it on the very inner, just moved it out one and immediately noticed a difference. Thanks friend!

 

[kvetcha]

Ahah! Okay, thats where I was off. I had it on the very inner, just moved it out one and immediately noticed a difference. Thanks friend!

I heard someone mention that the SAE 1000LT is internally extremely similar to the Hana SH. The weight certainly checks out! The SAE is 4.7 grams and uses the same ring.

 

[kvetcha]

Finally got my UltraDeck all boxed up to mail out and the prospective buyer emailed saying he was waiting to hear back about a dream table and put the transaction on hold.

I mean, I get it, but boo.

 

[Static Shock]

On the speed, when my ran slow after a couple moves and a few years, I ordered a replacement belt and it immediately solved the problem.

On the set up, this may very well be attributed to the open box. It’s possible the person who initially opened the box tried to do what you did initially and tried to drop on a dry platter and spin. But they might have gone straight into tweaking causing the factory baseline to be thrown off.


I agree with this. Not universal, but very common.

Just back from somewhere warm . I also had problems with the two decks I got . The stereodeck had quite a few problems that could not be resolved so it was replaced with an ultradeck . Not long after I received it the orange power switch developed a problem and MOFI sent out a replacement Power switch which I put in rather then risk the long shipping time as I am in Canada . Once I got through all this the deck has been running fine for a year now . Like others I was disappointed with all the startup problems and had expected more from MOFI . My dealer was helpful, MOFI not so much . The dealer has dropped the MOFI line .

The sound makes up for all the problems , well not quite , but had expected more from the company .

 

[MikeH]

So how much lube does one apply to the bearing and what’s the best way to apply it for the UD?

 

[displayname]

So how much lube does one apply to the bearing and what’s the best way to apply it for the UD?

You don’t need a ton, and you don’t want it dripping out everywhere. Like a drop or two. I did a little right at the top of the shaft, and I used a cue tip or something similar to lightly line the sides of the barrel.

 

[Slimwhit33]

You don’t need a ton, and you don’t want it dripping out everywhere. Like a drop or two. I did a little right at the top of the shaft, and I used a cue tip or something similar to lightly line the sides of the barrel.

Same. Small amount on a qtip for me.