This a decent turntable for a rookie like me?

[jvoorhees]

As you know just getting started into the vinyl world Have bought quite a few brand new LP's online... and now am in the midst of a good starter turntable...

Came across this one:

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MMF-22LE

And was wondering what youre thoughts on it were/are? My neighbor (who's a dj for a local radio startion) says its a good starter one?

And I figure with my tax return this year Id buy a turntable and hold off on the new LCD for now

Cheers in advance!

[richteer]

Yes, that one would be fine. See the other "entry level turntable" thread for a bit more info about this andother contenders in your budget range.

[Wolfy]

I have the mmf 2.2 and I like it. The cart is not the best, but it is good for a starter. You don't need the "ferrari" red one do you? You are paying a premium for red! I would just get the black one. Elusive disc is great by the way.

[jvoorhees]

Oh no Im happy with black... matches all my other stuff anyways So Elusive would be ok to order from online for shipping to me? I cannot find any places around me that sell this turntable... or any for that matter

[jvoorhees]

OK dumb question... but would the MUSIC HALL MMF-5.1 TURNTABLE WITH 1012GX MM CARTRIDGE... actually be in 5.1 sound? Sorry if this a noob question... but still learning all the vinyl stuff

And is it worthe the $300 jump in price?

[Wolfy]

Nope. 2.0 is all you get. Sorry. I can't say if it is worth the jump in price, but you should be certain you are going to stick with it. That's alot of money.
Oh and as far as shipping from the US, you should keep in mind that Elusive Disc is located in Indiana. Might look some more for someplace in Canada.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

Oh no Im happy with black... matches all my other stuff anyways So Elusive would be ok to order from online for shipping to me? I cannot find any places around me that sell this turntable... or any for that matter

US$879 is going to work out to around CDN$1150 right now BEFORE they hit you with duty, which I think is 5% GST only for BC.

If you want to save a bit of cash and get similar performance, consider the Goldring GR-2 as there aren't many left. Goldring are of course known for their cartridges but they did release two turntables in 2006 made for them by Rega UK. Because of the cartridge upgrades that Goldring assigned to the turntables they sold and reviewed well enough that Rega basically said "that's it, make your own from now on" as they were losing P1~P3 business because of it.

The GR-2 listed for CDN$899 but as it's no longer made you can pick up a new one for CDN$720 from Audiophile Boutique.

http://audiophileboutique.com/Goldring.html

It is basically a Rega P2 with the very nice Goldring 1012GX cartridge, the same one that comes with the MMF5.1 - the cartridge alone is US$300.

This is the TT I've had since December and while I will consider moving up to the $2,000 level for a TT in another two years this one is an excellent performer in the sub-$1,000 category and will keep me more than satisfied for now.

If you need a phono pre-amp there are a few in and around the $150 mark to choose from. I picked up a Parasound zPhono preamp, which is $150 at Acoustic Sounds but it's backordered. If you check Needle Doctor they have a Music Hall, Rega, Thorens and Pro-Ject models all around the $150 mark.

Also if you pop down to Vancouver you can audition the Rega P3 at Hi Fi Centre, which would give you a good idea what you can expect from the Goldring. That's about a 40 minute drive on the week-end eh?

http://www.hificentre.com/

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The GR-2 listed for CDN$899 but as it's no longer made you can pick up a new one for CDN$720 from Audiophile Boutique.

http://audiophileboutique.com/Goldring.html

It is basically a Rega P2 with the very nice Goldring 1012GX cartridge, the same one that comes with the MMF5.1 - the cartridge alone is US$300.

Nice to see another UHF Mag reader!
And yes, for the money the Goldring GR-2 is a very admirable TT from a solidly respected company. I wouldn't hesitate for a second on that deal!

John

[richteer]

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

OK dumb question... but would the MUSIC HALL MMF-5.1 TURNTABLE WITH 1012GX MM CARTRIDGE... actually be in 5.1 sound? Sorry if this a noob question... but still learning all the vinyl stuff

And is it worthe the $300 jump in price?

Nope, no 5.1 from analogue. All you're gonna get from vinyl is stereo (modulo some esoteric quadraphonic stuff from the 1970s).

Is the MMF-5.1 worth $300 more? Only an audition would be able to confirm this for you. But if I was looking for a turntable in the $850 to $900 range, I think I'd be inclined to lean towards the Rega P3-24. The RB-301 tonearm it comes with is famous for its great sound quality. If you go the Rega route, I'd also be inclined to consider an acrylic platter upgrade in future.