MoFi UltraDeck / StudioDeck Owners and those interested

Ed Selley said:
Well then, look what my long suffering DPD courier dropped off yesterday;

View attachment 89619

It's a Studiodeck and it's mainly here to be tested as part of a system but it's getting a solo look for AVForums first. It's an interesting bit of kit.

I'll start with the bits I like;
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This is an impressive bit of hardware at the asking price. It's nice to see something that can take a wide spread of cartridges without any struggle. It's all easy to setup and use too.

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At the moment, Pro-Ject is the king of affordable turntable feet... but these aren't bad at all. The simple expedient of there being four feet does point to a certain confidence that everything is twist free.

It's well made, went together well and it is satisfactorily pitch stable too.

There are some not so good bits too;
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This is strobing faintly. This test sample is far from new but it does suggest that the LED inside is unwell.

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This... isn't very good. At all. This is the second of Mo-Fi's carts to pass through. I had wondered if they benefit from a home advantage. They don't.
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This has rather improved matters and is far from unreasonably priced in the context of the deck.

Presentation wise, I'm dialling into what it does. It's possibly a little relaxed for me and my flat earth (this is an audio rather than conspiracy theory position) tendencies but I can see what it does being rather appealing depending on how you partner it up. It's a big, good looking, well made and quite characterful bit of kit. In the UK, it's £150 more than a Rega Planar 6 (also less cart) and, for my tastes, I'd go with that (unless I was looking to mount a truly oddball cart where I suspect this would work better) but I can imagine with US pricing (ie home pricing advantage to the Studiodeck) would probably have me re-evaluating that.
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Good assessment. I too like the turntables far better than the cartridges.

I’m wondering about the strobing. The light will flicker if you spin the platter with the power off.

October makes 4 years with my Ultradeck and no issues whatsoever. It’ll be sporting a Hana MH next week. 😎
 
Ed,

Wondering your thoughts on the AT OC9XEN. Few years ago I heard a OC9/II at a friend's house. Next day I ordered a OC9/III and have since bought another before they all disappeared. I was intrigued by the newer OC9's but didn't want to chance wrecking my setup plus all the new options were too overwhelming to sort through.
 
Hi all,
Couple quick Qs for this group:
1. Would anyone have reservations about buying a refurbed Ultradeck? If so why? Music Direct has one in their specials and my interest is piqued, based on this groups fondness.
2. Does anyone know how much MD charges for return shipping of products?
3. Anyone have thoughts on the Ultradeck vs VPI Prime Scout?

thanks much
 
epyon415 said:
1. Would anyone have reservations about buying a refurbed Ultradeck? If so why? Music Direct has one in their specials and my interest is piqued, based on this groups fondness.
2. Does anyone know how much MD charges for return shipping of products?
3. Anyone have thoughts on the Ultradeck vs VPI Prime Scout?
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Since I don't recognize your user name, let's start with a Welcome :)

1. Music Direct is pretty on top of their components and being refurbed it still carries a warranty with it. In the past, others, myself included, have purchased open box, refurbs and I can't recall a problem or a problem that wasn't taken care of.
2. Not really sure, an email to them can get you all the information you need ;)
3. I looked at both honestly when I was researching, in the end I liked all the featured of the UD and the look was more to my liking as well, that being said, they're both great turntables and you would most likely be happy with either.
 
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epyon415 said:
Hi all,
Couple quick Qs for this group:
1. Would anyone have reservations about buying a refurbed Ultradeck? If so why? Music Direct has one in their specials and my interest is piqued, based on this groups fondness.
2. Does anyone know how much MD charges for return shipping of products?
3. Anyone have thoughts on the Ultradeck vs VPI Prime Scout?

thanks much
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Welcome!

To answer your questions in order:

1. I’d have no issues buying one and saving $500. I believe @Splunders did. Maybe he will chime in.

2. I’ve only returned 2 things to them. No issues. I paid return shipping.

3. That’s a tough call. Dust covers are optional extras with VPI if that’s important to you. Setup is more involved with VPI and the base arm is 9” as opposed to 10” with the MoFi, so more tracking error with the VPI.
 
Thanks @HiFi Guy and @AnthonyI , I've been pretty inactive on the forums, usually just lurking :). The UD is appealing mostly because of its plug/play setup. I've eyed the VPI for a while knowing it has a good upgrade path, but also seems to be a bit more setup involved. Looking more at the UD seems like there is recommendations (strongly) for a clamp, would you agree with this?
 
epyon415 said:
Thanks @HiFi Guy and @AnthonyI , I've been pretty inactive on the forums, usually just lurking :). The UD is appealing mostly because of its plug/play setup. I've eyed the VPI for a while knowing it has a good upgrade path, but also seems to be a bit more setup involved. Looking more at the UD seems like there is recommendations (strongly) for a clamp, would you agree with this?
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I’d definitely recommend the Super Heavyweight.
 
epyon415 said:
Thanks @HiFi Guy and @AnthonyI , I've been pretty inactive on the forums, usually just lurking :). The UD is appealing mostly because of its plug/play setup. I've eyed the VPI for a while knowing it has a good upgrade path, but also seems to be a bit more setup involved. Looking more at the UD seems like there is recommendations (strongly) for a clamp, would you agree with this?
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HiFi Guy said:
I’d definitely recommend the Super Heavyweight.
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Ditto ;)
 
I've done refurbs and open box from MD and never had an issue. Most stuff you'd be hard pressed to tell they weren't brand new.

As for VPI, they'll never see a penny from me. I had a bad experience with them a few years back and the grudge is still there. Compared to my experience with Mofi sending my table back it was a night and day difference. Maybe things have changed, dunno.
 
Finally shipped my UD and it was received at the MoFi factory in MI last Wednesday.. haven't heard anything yet.

Will keep everyone updated.. to reiterate to those new to the story, this was very likely user error. Loosened the VTA and the tonearm assembly slipped and thudded. Completely forgot about it, but within weeks I was having tonearm issues. But more on all that later..

In the meantime I needed a stop gap (its been months since I listened to vinyl) and just picked up a Thorens TD-160. Gonna mess with it for a few months, maybe attach an SME III tonearm.. and then decide which one to keep in the room and which one to move to a second setup.
 
epyon415 said:
Hi all,
Couple quick Qs for this group:
1. Would anyone have reservations about buying a refurbed Ultradeck? If so why? Music Direct has one in their specials and my interest is piqued, based on this groups fondness.
2. Does anyone know how much MD charges for return shipping of products?
3. Anyone have thoughts on the Ultradeck vs VPI Prime Scout?

thanks much
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Welcome! Yes, I got a refurbished Ultradeck from MusicDirect in September. I found a very minor scuff on the side, but it took a flashlight and me proactively searching for something amiss.

It's run perfectly for me, and I think refurbished is a really great way to go. The folks who build these things took an expert eye to it and addressed whatever was needed to bring it back to as nearly new as possible. If it's the deck you want, you won't find a better price to piece of mind ratio elsewhere.
 
Splunders said:
That's a $200 relief. I have a Big Ben weight, but it's a hair too tall to close the lid while the record plays, which matters when you have a wild 4 year old boy ripping around.
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I also use a Big Ben. It just fits without a record on. Never really considered that it would cause issues with closed-lid playback.
 
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