Music Hall USB-1 turntable................................

Wayner · « **on:** 9 Sep 2010, 11:38 pm »

A recent thread got me going, trying to find an economical turntable for newbies, so I bought a new TT from Music Hall called the USB-1. It sells for $250, but seemed to have many of the components that a Audio Technica TT (sister company is Technics), so I thought that maybe it had a chance.

I'm sad to report that it is an extreme piece of cheese. It weighs a mere 4.4Kg to begin with and while some of the construction, like counterweight were OK, the rest of the table, IMHO is a complete POS.

The top plinth is finished in a gloss black, but looks like something I painted in my garage. It came with a cheap AT cartridge, but I thru in a Grado and it hummed like hell. The DC servo motor drifted in speed and I just had the general feel of crap.

I had slightly high hopes for this TT as it sported a USB 'B" connector, and a switchable RCA output configuration that offered a built in RIAA equalization or use it as a normal TT.

The quality is just not up to AVA standards and it is going back tomorrow.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 2. Not recommended (at all).

Wayner

I'm going to buy an Audio Technica PL120USB tomorrow to see how this one performs. It is a direct drive (look out, Frank)

eclein · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 12:11 am »

Nice...keep us posted Wayner!!!

Delacroix · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 12:20 am »

Thank You Wayner. If I read the catalogs and some of the press, I'd believe this TT was solid and high value. You do all of us a service by calling it for what it is from the perspective of a vinyl listener. Now, how about a full review for Affordable Audio

decal · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 01:06 am »

I bought the AT PL60USB to see if I wanted to return to vinyl.This is truly a plug and play unit.I cleaned up a bunch of LPs(with a SpinClean record cleaning system) and it was off to the races. If someone is looking for a no fuss way to get into vinyl,I highly recommend this table.I don't know the differences between this and the PL120USB,maybe Wayner can provide the details.Before all you naysayers jump in,I know this unit is not the last word (or even close to it) in analog reproduction.It is what it is,a decent sounding,inexpensive way to ease into analog listening.

Wayner · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 04:43 pm »

To be honest, it never even got listened to. I couldn't get past the cosmetics, the real cheap arm and platter (I didn't know they could die-cast aluminum that thin) and the varying speed. It had a nice dustcover and the feet were kind of cool.

Why can't manufacturers use a wall wart power supply (to isolate the transformer from the TT) and then run your DC servo controlled motor. Putting a +/- speed change on the table is a waste of money, better spent on improving other items.

The plinth could have had 10 more pounds of weight, this thing was like lite as a feather, not much mass to absorb or stop much of anything. I hope it is not an example of Music Hall build quality for the rest of their product line (and I think their stuff is built at the Pro-ject factory).

Anyway, I'm moving on to another model and brand.

Wayner

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 07:16 pm »

here's a good turntable

http://www.woot.com/

Wayner · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 09:38 pm »

That was a good one, Charles!

I am happy to report that I have purchased another sample from the www.NeedleDoctor.com. It's a Pro-Ject Debut III and the great thing about this table is that it has a wall wart for a power supply. The cost was $369 and I needed another weight for the Grado Longhorn, but they also had a sale (last day today) so I got everything for the price of the table, basically shipping and the counterweight was free.

That table will be here on Monday, so if I may use this thread to continue, I will. I'm thinking this may actually be a decent deck for the money and also recommended by Mr. Fremer

Wayner

Wayner · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 11:01 pm »

Just thinking out loud abit, I might order another one (if I like the first one) and strip it down and rebuild it like ARCom. I am also thinking about making TTs for left handed people.

Wayner

decal · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 01:28 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 10 Sep 2010, 11:01 pm

Just thinking out loud abit, I might order another one (if I like the first one) and strip it down and rebuild it like ARCom. I am also thinking about making TTs for left handed people.

Wayner

Wayner......The white one is on sale for $299.00!!!!!

Tone Depth · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 03:03 am »

Just don't make it spin counter-clockwise!

Quote from: Wayner on 10 Sep 2010, 11:01 pm

Just thinking out loud abit, I might order another one (if I like the first one) and strip it down and rebuild it like ARCom. I am also thinking about making TTs for left handed people.

Wayner

rcag_ils · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 03:47 am »

Quote

I am also thinking about making TTs for left handed people

Depending on how you position the arm, or it may ruin the record and the stylus.

Quote

Just don't make it spin counter-clockwise!

It may have to spin CCW

Wayner · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 12:03 pm »

Quote from: Tone Depth on 11 Sep 2010, 03:03 am

Just don't make it spin counter-clockwise!

Then the Beatles LP would indeed play 'Paul is dead, Paul is dead, Paul is dea................

No, nothing drastic like that, but the idea may be to reposition the arm for better accessibility for our left handed friends.

Wayner

dB Cooper · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 02:36 pm »

Doesn't Thorens still have some reasonably priced 'tables?

Wayner · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Sep 2010, 08:56 pm »

A Stanton ST 150 is on the way. This DD table weighs 43.7 pounds and has the one of the most powerful motors available. It also features SPDIF output which could be interesting, running thru Frank's Insight+ DAC, just for fun.

Wayner

gjs_cds · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Sep 2010, 11:32 pm »

Any news on the Stanton ST 150?

/Not that I'm going vinyl...

//I'm just curious...

turkey · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Sep 2010, 01:23 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 11 Sep 2010, 12:03 pm

No, nothing drastic like that, but the idea may be to reposition the arm for better accessibility for our left handed friends.

I'm left-handed, and I never had any problems operating a turntable.

Guy 13 · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Sep 2010, 02:28 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 9 Sep 2010, 11:38 pm

A recent thread got me going, trying to find an economical turntable for newbies, so I bought a new TT from Music Hall called the USB-1. It sells for $250, but seemed to have many of the components that a Audio Technica TT (sister company is Technics), so I thought that maybe it had a chance.

I'm sad to report that it is an extreme piece of cheese. It weighs a mere 4.4Kg to begin with and while some of the construction, like counterweight were OK, the rest of the table, IMHO is a complete POS.

The top plinth is finished in a gloss black, but looks like something I painted in my garage. It came with a cheap AT cartridge, but I thru in a Grado and it hummed like hell. The DC servo motor drifted in speed and I just had the general feel of crap.

I had slightly high hopes for this TT as it sported a USB 'B" connector, and a switchable RCA output configuration that offered a built in RIAA equalization or use it as a normal TT.

The quality is just not up to AVA standards and it is going back tomorrow.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 2. Not recommended (at all).

Wayner

I'm going to buy an Audio Technica PL120USB tomorrow to see how this one performs. It is a direct drive (look out, Frank)

Hi Wayner.
How abaout a standard turntable with a VP-530USB from Bellari (100% made in USA) between your turntable and your amplifier ? You can buy it from Needle Doctor for less than 400 USD.
I have now a Rega P-3 with a MM cartridge model Exact. I paid for the TT/cartridge less than 1,000 USD.
Guy 13.

Wayner · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Sep 2010, 05:53 pm »

From the moment the UPS guy handed me the very heavy box, I thought I might be in for a treat. The table from the www.NeedleDoctor.com was actually tripple boxed. Opening the inner box revealed an extremely high quality turntable. While it's appointments are disco at heart, the weight, construction of the arm and all necessary adjustments make this a best buy table for $499. The queing decent is slow and controlled. It features RCA output jacks which I connected my 1 meter Bluejeans cable to. Apon first start up, I had a hum loop, but the table features a ground lift switch and switching it to the lift postion turned the table dead quite. The Grado Gold1 Longhorn has found a very nice home, indeed.

The turntable also has a removable (upgradeable) IEC power connection as well as a nifty SPDIF digital output which I will later run thru Frank's Insight+ DAC for shits and giggles.

I am listening to Windham Hill Records Sampler '84 and it is a very revealing, dynamic recording. I have already forgot about the table, simply listening to the music.

Totally awesome table!

Wayner

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Sep 2010, 06:46 pm »

Where are they making that big, bad boy Wayner? China, Malaysia?

Looks very promising as a deck that nearly anyone can afford (newbies as well as more established vinylphools)

John

Wayner · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Sep 2010, 07:01 pm »

It's made in China, and the quality and getting the job done, in manufacturing, appearance, and performance are top notch. This deck may actually best my Technics SL1200MK2. I mean it when I say that every part of the deck is first rate.I'm listening to Roger Waters, Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking right now and it's very, very swell.The fun part of the deck is the stopping speed of the platter, which can be varied by top plinth control knob. I have it set to stop almost instantaneously and it's kind of scary. This table would meet NAB specs for start up and stop for any over the air broadcasting deck.It's arm is a copy of the Technics, with a spindle to tonearm pivot distance of 215mm.One downer is that it does not come with a dustcover. But, newbies, this is the deck for you. The Project Debut III doesn't even compare.

Wayner[/]