New cart for MMF-5 or new TT?

Hoots · « **on:** 18 Jun 2004, 09:49 pm »

My Goldring needle sags placing the cartridge too close to the record so I was thinking of upgrading the cart...but then I thought about selling the Music Hall MMF-5 (less than a year old)...

I'm leaning towards a new cart...any recommendations for this TT?

nrenter · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Jun 2004, 03:33 pm »

Instead of replacing the cartridge, you can just replace (or upgrade) the stylus on the stock Goldring.

I was a Music Hall MMF-5 owner at one time, but sold it in favor of a Teres.

Nicholas Renter
(Over in Flower Mound)

Hoots · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Jun 2004, 03:59 pm »

Wow! I live in Flower Mound, too...near Forestwood Middle School. The new stylus sounds like a good idea.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Jun 2004, 04:58 pm »

I'm going to suggest upgrading the cartridge. Replacing the stylus would fix your current problem, but if you are considering replacing the entire TT it seems to me that you aren't real happy with the sound. Upgrading the cartridge could result in a significant improvement for a relatively modest investment. I also have an MMF-5 and I'm hoping to replace the Goldring 1012 cart with a Clear Audio Arum Beta or Beta S cart later this year.

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Jun 2004, 05:47 pm »

What I've learned in my mid-range-but-nice turntable ventures is that you shouldn't pay a lot more than the value of a table for the cartridge. So, if you have a $400 table, the most I'd spend is about $500 on a cartridge... and 200-500 on the phono pre... but, that's just my general rule based on logic... not on upgraditis and emotional needs.

I've also learned that there's not a lot of good review reading on cartridges. It's really hard to compare 2 cartridges side by side or back to back. (unless you're a DJ)

So, I started playing around with some cartridges... The Needledoctor sent me an Ortofon OM-20 and let me trade that in when I didn't like it. I'm getting a Dynavector 10x5 to replace it. Mainly because I've learned I really like moving coil and I prefer the higher output type so I can use a broader range of phono pre's. Again, a preference of my own...

So, for your situation, I'd recommend a new cartridge only. You probably won't get a lot better table until you get something like a Teres. Vinyl rigs seem to go in 3 steps, ultra-cheap 100 stuff, good midrange setups at 500-1000 or so, and then $3,k plus. I haven't heard much difference between an MMF7 vs. 5 vs. a Rega, vs. a Denon... they all sound different but are at the same level of quality to me.

The vinyl rig combination is the most important part of getting it right. The cartridge/arm/phono pre is my top 3 'synergistic' considerations. Everything else is important but fall into 'tweaks' for me. Of course, proper alignment, tracking force, etc. are all very imprortant as well.

I wasn't impressed with the Goldring 1042 I tried. There was a lot of sibilance in the upper end and was somewhat lifeless all around. The Ortofon wasn't as lifeless and had no sibilance but sounded overall a bit thin. I much preferred my 25 year old Adcom to both. I have no idea what model it is but it's a high output moving coil and it was a prototype from Adcom in NJ from a friend.

So, try a new cart. I'll report what I hear in the Dynavector. If it's a good match for your arm, it may be worth hearing. But, at this point, I don't know.

-C

mgalusha · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Jun 2004, 08:41 pm »

The stock Goldring on my MMF-5 had a channel imbalance and I replaced it with a Grado Statement Platinum. I like it much better than the stock cartridge. One thing to keep in mind with any of the Grado Statement cartridges are all low output and require a moving coil capable preamp or step up transformers. I believe they run about $270 or so.

nrenter · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Jun 2004, 05:06 pm »

I guess I wouldn't throw too much money trying to upgrade various stock components of the MMF-5. For the money, it's a good table. But of the table, the arm, and the cartridge, IMHO the cartridge is the least important element, and I don't think the rest of the table is worthy of too expensive of a cartridge.

It may behoove you to spend $20 on a Shure VTF gauge - this may explain your sag. Taking some time to make sure your table is properly set up may save you some coin (and make it perform acceptably until you want to upgrade the table as a whole).

I do agree (in general) with Carlman's categorization of tables. I did a head-to-head showdown with my friend's Rega P-25, RB-900 arm and Grado Reference Platinum to my table at the time (a stock MMF-5), and while there were improvements in some areas, there were still many common detractions. Even if you discount the fact that the Rega ran fast and that Rega cartridges don't particularly play well with the motors of the Rega tables, the performance benefits didn't justify the increase in costs over the stock MMF-5. It wasn't until I got my Teres that I heard a significant difference in my system.

Nicholas Renter
(over by Wellington Elementary)

Bill Baker · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jun 2004, 08:19 pm »

Just me two cents from what my customers have upgraded their MMF-5 cartridges to.

1) Goldring EroicaH 2) Dynavector

These are relatively inexpensive carts that have proven to bring the MMF-5 to new levels. The Goldring that comes on the MMF-5 is okay but upgrading it will yield better results than spending the money for another more expensive table with yet a better cartridge. IMHO as well as others.