Hello Ian:First; thank you for you outstanding and passionate reviews; please keep up the excellent work. Your reviews are just about the only ones I take seriously nowadays. Second, I bought a Rega Aria based primarily on your recommendation; this is proving to be an outstanding match for my 2M black/TD 309. Your assessment of this phono stage was spot on. Finally, you have stated that you do not wish to be influenced by manufacturers money. While this is admirable, it also forces you to spend out of pocket and limits possible reviews. Have you considered a Patreon page which accepts anonymous donations only? I know it is possible to donate anonymously: I'm not sure if you can accept anonymous donations only. Perhaps something to look into? Personally, I would be very happy to support your continued reviews with donations. This might allow reviews of more expensive MM and MC cartridges which I'd love to hear from you.
Dear Buddy Mark, you are so kind... thank you ... too kind...how can i thank you back. Brother, i have considered very, very heavily over the past two years, as some kind friend had mooted the idea of patreon to me before. After heavy considerations, I decided not to go with it. My allegiance and commitment to honesty is to my fellow friends, you and every fellow vinyl buddy. And making this commitment have to involve 100% honesty with my reviews. I want 100%. I do not even want 99.99%. It has to be completely, totally, scorchingly clean. My wife discussed with me at length, and she stood with my decision not to have patreon. She also says 100% is what she admire about. As a side note, i do not like the idea that patrons would have first look, special access to certain information/videos/productions from me - i just want to be fair to everybody, and to give of myself and all my work to everybody, and no special treatment of some people, and lesser for others. All my work must benefit everybody. Openly to everybody. Knowledge must be fairly, and openly shared with everybody altruistically, to give of myself. You are right that having donations can allow more funds to acquire and review more expensive equipment, yes i totally agree, as i have considered that heavily. But eventually, i decided to do it the tough way, to continue with my own sacrifices and hardship, i would rather produce 200 reviews that are 100% honest, than have 1,000 reviews that are 99.99% honest. Thanks for allowing me to state all these thoughts that went on heavily in my considerations all these past months. I hope you will share the same sentiments my brother. Thank you Brother Mark. Your friend, ~ ian.
Brother Ian:Thank you for your thoughts on this subject. I understand your integrity should not be compromised and is the core of your reviews in any case. So here's hoping you get a big raise in the near future!
Wow, Ian! Once again, you’ve shown how selfless you are, and your total commitment to the VC and also to the world. Karma is undoubtedly 100% on your side, my friend. Thank you for the millionth time! Haha! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It looks very nice, but my issue with many new record players is their use of delrin, pom, mdf, etc platter material that it is not conductive, meaning the static electricity will build up much more and cause a lot of noise compared to classic record players using aluminum plates connected to ground.
Hi Ian, Looking forward to your 2nd part of the review for the MoFi StudioDeck. Enjoy your extensive and knowledgeable reviews. Keep up the great work, my friend!!!
Dearest Buddy!!:-D enjoying your MP-110 and Mani eh? I AM!!! Now 11am on a Monday morning here... today is my off day from work, and I have been listening to Blue Note Music Matters one after another, on my MP-110 and Mani!!!... it has been three hours since 8am... nonstop :-D!!!!!!!!! Ooooh....love it. Vinyl bliss :-D !!! Buddy I am doing my best and hope it will fulfil your requirements for the shoot-out between these two decks, P3 and StudioDeck, which you are contemplating on getting. Will be doing my diligent best and carefully in setting up. Getting a fair playing field. Careful auditions with Nagaoka and Goldring carts used. Warmest Regards and have a nice and easy week ahead my brother. ~ ian
Apparently the large square, yellow power button is a nod to the play button on an old analog mixing board. I love my studio deck, and this video makes me appreciate it even more.
Dear Don :-D thank you for catching up!!!! Hope you are doing really good and yes, glad to have your encouragement always!!! As i have said to you before, you friends' encouragement ARE the reasons to propel me into these projects. THANK YOU. T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U. SIR!!!!!
gnome Dear Buddy👋😄don't bow... i am same as you. Let's embrace our common vinyl analog music, journey and community!!!! 💪💪💪😄yay we will go from strength to strength, each helping more along the way. Heehee. We're winning.
Hi Ian, A truly outstanding unboxing video. You added another dimension to this video, I could almost “feel” the quality of the StudioDeck. I expect the StudioDeck will perform as well as it looks and “feels.” I eagerly await your complete review. Thank you for your continued efforts while I watch your unboxing video again!
Dear Buddy Steven in CA :-D !!! oooooh...this deck is indeed quality, holding it, lifting it, transporting it from rack to rack, table to rack, how it rests on those feet, ow the whole thing feels, how it operates... indeed. Me too, expect it to perform as well as it looks :-D . i am excited as well continuing my current auditions!...about 50-60% of the way done. Hope you are having a nice Monday evening Brother Steven :-D, my best regards to your family too!
Thank you. I was so happy to wake up and see this video. Looks like a fine machine. I'm actually considering the Ultradeck now. Can't wait for your impressions after auditioning.
Tom Methans There's someone that's done a couple of needle drops on an Ultradeck on TH-cam, but only one shows up after a search unless you go into their channel. Something seems off about it, maybe you could have a listen and tell me if it's just me...
Hi Ian, I got a nice Used Technics Turntable recently. I Really Like it! I Love the Vintage Technics Turntables. My Sansui Speakers 🔊 are Still sounding Excellent. I enjoy watching you videos, Ian. I have learned a lot about Turntables from them. Keep up the great work! You are a blessing to the Vinyl Community! GOD Bless you & your Family mightily, my Friend😃
On your vid about the Mofi Studio deck I bought one. I love it. I was undecided until you pointed out the aesthetics. It plays fantastic and looks as good. Thanks
Dear Buddy Iargan :-D congratulations for getting it!!!! It looks really good! A 10inch tonearm necessitating a BIGGER plinth and more grandeur overall appearance!!!!! Have much fun and pride in playing your records and looking at your lovely deck on this lovely weekend my friend!! Thank you for coming by and catching up with me! Warmest Regards, ~ ian.
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up and great to see you again!!!! Hope you have a smooth and easy week ahead!!! Vinyl bliss always accompany us.... have fun my friend!! See you!!
Yes Buddy :-D I am eagerly continuing my testing and careful auditions!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!! Arghh!!!! Me too buddy!! Let's keep our fingers crossed!!! There are a lot of support indeed for the MoFi!!!!!! Much more than for the P3! :-D
Dear Buddy :-D Thank you for catching up!!! Great to see you!!! Hope you are nicely winding down and resting on a Sunday evening. I am waking up here in Singapore at 8am+ See you Sir!!
Gosh, TH-cam stuffed your comment as spam... I just noticed it and of course let it come to light!!! THANK YOU BROTHER, yet again for your kind support and friendship!!! Thank you!! May you be well and happy. ~ ian.
To say I'm impressed in the build quality would be an understatement. Hopefully it sounds as good as it looks. Looking forward to the review, thanks Ian.
Dear Buddy with your 1-year old MP-500!!...thank you yet again for catching up!!!! How is your system rocking along man? :-D Warmest Regards always Sir.
My SL-1200 is chugging along but it needs a new tonearm :(. I'm torn on whether I should repair and upgrade with KAB or get a Studio/Ultradeck. Will be a couple months before I can do either so I have time to think hehe.
Dear Buddy :-D and thank you for catching up too!!!!! Hope you have a great week ahead Sir! Best Regards! (...having lunch now with my wifey).... ~ ian
Hello Ian, Thank you for your dedication, you certainly will understand that I keep my finger crossed for the REGA P3. I'm looking forward to this review. All the best...
Dear Buddy :-D thank you!!! i am pretty excited conducting the audition tests currently :-D...about 50% of the way done... thank you for your time catching up again my friend.... continue to enjoy your MP-150, it is still affixed onto my SL1200GAE and playing music regularly!! Warmest regards my friend :-D
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up!!! Yes :-D....i am indeed very excited conducting the ongoing auditions between these two decks... 70% of the way done, thank you to all you friends' kindness and support. I will dial in the other results as soon as possible these next few days to a week. Thank you for your kind suggestions too my friend. Warmest Regards to you and your family Alexey :-D!
Hello again Ian, First off your detailed review and I mean d~e~t~a~i~l~e~d was spectacular. I am always curious about the Tonearm and the Cue Lever and you answered everyone of my questions that I had in my head. It was like you knew what I was thinking. {smile} Thank you for pointing out the improvements that they have made compared to previous turntable releases. The finish and the dust cover both look classy and well made. Boy you really did one heck of a review with this TT. Both longtime vinyl collectors and people who are new to everything vinyl will definitely benefit from this video. I know that I truly did. Way to go Brother Ian~ Rob/Boston
Paneeks1960 {Rob/Boston} Dearest Big Brother Rob, thank you for your kind ume and catching up👋😄...hope to see you soon again with your VC videos too! So nice of you to be ever ready for all of us VC friends everywhere😄😄😄🎵🎶🎶. Amazingly giving of you of your time, care and attention. You're the Top. Thank you Sir.
Dearest Buddy :-D thank you for your time!! Sorry i am 5 hours late in my reply. I hope this message finds you in good health, great vinyl bliss (your MP110!), easy work ahead and lovely family around you!!!!
Hey Brother Ian and fam!! 👋🏻let’s see who am I forgeting🤔🤔oh why yes Moko! 😆😆I just love unboxings don’t ask why heehee......oooo sweeeet goodies! Yeah....wow Ian your already impressed?? Now I’m impressed!! and paying much attention......great vid very much looking forward to the next part! Take care and have a wonderful week ahead - sister Lis
Dear Sis... when i mentioned that part early in the video about friends who like unboxings... I HAVE YOU IN MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know!!! :-D you have mentioned to me before and it stuck!!!! Thank you for giving me the inspiration and commitment to do this unboxing video. It takes some effort. But YOU ARE ONE MAJOR FACTOR. Thank you Sister. Have a great time Sis and more revolutions (vinyl and Bicycle) easing into your mileage always!!!!!!!! Love . ~ ian
Brother Nick :-D hi!!!! SL-BD22 rocking on!!! Yes the StudioDeck looks great indeed... i am eagerly continuing the auditions... :-D see you again Buddy, and again THANK YOU for your kind friendship! Warmest Regards!
Dear Buddy :-D... the review is finished, and the video productions are finishing very soon. I will be able to launch it this weekend!!! Warmest Regards Buddy!!! Enjoy your MP110 and Mani!!! Yay!!! ~ ian.
Dear Ian, another fine video, sharing your perspectives and tastes for the MoFi design. I am very much looking forward to your acoustic/sonic review. Hopefully, it sounds as good as it look? Your friend, Dan in Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Dearest Buddy Dan!! Ah!! You are in Texas just like the vinyl guru Paul of "barakapdub" channel!!! :-D Hotbed of vinyl aficionados you guys all are!!!!!!!!! I feel that the Americans are really getting into the manufacturing part better and better, even my English friends are appreciating the strength of "made in America" products more and more. One also opined that the Americans seem to bounce back from adversity very well. Kudos my friend!!! Best Regards Brother Dan :-D . Great to see you again!!!!!
Wow. That is one sexy looking table. Excellent run through of the unboxing to point out those little details that may be otherwise missed. Made in Ann Arbor Michigan, unbelievable! I need to find their manufacturing site. Can't wait to see how it fares against the Rega P3. My best to you and yours. Great video.
Yes and you Buddy are in Michigan :-D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heehee.....perhaps you can pop by :-D... send me some photos if you can if you pass by/check out their actual site on the ground! :-D... Buddy, warmest regards and all the peace and fun for your lovely family :-D See you again Brother!
hi Ian my friend , love your attention to detail and the ending is pure gold as i am a star wars fan , can't wait for your review , also the ortofon winndfield ti will be released at the munich sound show , i think it will be a killer , time will tell, all the best to you and your family , take care Arthur from melbourne australia.
Dear Arthur!!! My stepson's girlfriend had just finished her studies in Melbourne!! Thank you and your fellow countrymen for playing host to her!!! My stepson also travelled to Melbourne to see her for a week just three months ago. They thoroughly enjoyed their stay :-D!!! Buddy!! Hahaha.... Star Wars fan!!! Let's go buddy!! Vader vs Kenobi this time. Best Regards and keep warm buddy!
Dear Buddy Mark :-D....yes i am eagerly continuing conducting the testing...about 50-60%% of the way done. Yes I still remember you may base your next turntable purchase based on my humble sound quality shoot-out between the P3 and StudioDeck :-D..... Enjoy your MP-150 and Mani in the meantime i am sure you are! Warmest Regards my friend :-D
Dear Buddy with the Eroica LX!!!!! Thank you for your friendship and yes hope you are running as usual smoothly on your white P3 with Neo PSU and upgraded subplatter!!!!!! Hope you are still keeping your vintage Eroica L with that silver body you so loved!!! :-D Thank you for catching up Brother!!! Hope you are having a lovely Sunday restful evening.... thank you for your kind time yet again.
Thanks, Ian. Yes, i still have the Eroica L with silver body, but i almost never use it, the cantilever suspension is in bad shape, so i only use the black Eroica Lx. I keep the 1993 silver Eroica just for sentimental reasons, ah ah. BTW, my P3 is black, Jeff was the one with a white P3. See you!
Hey Ian- How’s the review coming on the new StudioDeck? I wake up every morning hoping to see your new review uploaded on the Tube. I now realize how much time and effort goes into your thorough reviews. You’ve created quite the following and many of us are looking forward to your MoFi review. I honestly feel you’re one of the “most trusted” reviewers out there, including all of the stereo hi-fi mag reviewers! You’re the best and keep up the GREAT WORK, my friend!!!
keeferdog Dear Buddy👋😄thank you so much for your kindness and understanding!!! Yes a lot of work indeed😄...but it is very useful to all of you my friends and that is why i continue to do it week after week. Love you guys and vinyl buddies!!!! I may be able to complete the video in another 8days' time. The video shoots and editing is taking a bit more time...but necessary so that viewers and friends get to benefit from graphics and visuals more easily. I'm working hard on it, even now as i speak...i know you know😄🎵!!!
HiViNyws channel Awesome Ian! Looking forward to it! Down the road, will you get a chance to demo the MoFi phono stage and/or the UltraDeck and higher end MoFi carts? I’m now, also considering the EAT C Major tt in my search for a good tt. Take care and hope is all well with you and your beautiful family!
keeferdog Dear Buddy yes of course!such yummy kit!!👋😄heehehee...MoFi phonos... Ultradeck may be a stretch. But brother, sorry i would recommend you avoid the eat. I would recommend the MoFi SD or UD, or Rega P3 or P6. I am not saying the results as yet😄...but i can say for sure, and point you to the UD, SD, P6 and P3. MoFi's and Rega's tonearms and motors and general construction according to design philosophies geared towards top sound quality are worthy and respectable. Have fun Brother, get ready your wallet then✌😄✌🎵🎶🎶!! Update me anytime Brother!
HiViNyws channel Hello Ian- You mentioned to avoid EAT turntables. I value and trust your opinions. Can you elaborate on your experience with EAT tt’s. My local dealer is really pushing me towards the EAT. Thanks again, my friend!
keeferdog Rega and MoFi have in-house R&D, discernible tonearm quality, better motors. Just to name a few😉. More sensitive information heard by my retailers when eat and project management talked to them. I shall not say over the net.
Oooh dear Buddy Kris!!! Glad you are really playing your latest dollar acquisitions and enjoying them!!! Hehheh... none of them sounded "dirty" with pops/ticks at all! :-D Well done :-D!!!
Lee Stevenson Hi Buddy Lee👋😄!!! Yummy indeed this shoot-out for me too!!!.. really exciting to do. Thank you for your kind time catching up!!! Warmest Regards 🌞🎵🎶!! (I will ready the video by this weekend)
Mark Sanderson Dear Buddy Mark! Great to see you again👋😄!!! I'll continue to do my best for this...70% done with the auditions and certain interesting points i need to add into the whole narrative and reporting. I thank you for your time, patience and friendship✌😄✌🎵🎶🎶 See you Buddy.
Hello My Friend! Right now I have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with MP110 cart. I am looking to upgrade my Turntable also. I was looking at a Rega P3, P6 and the Mofi StudioDeck. So many Turntables to choose from, just not sure which to buy.
Excellent video vinyl bro! Really enjoyed it! Great seeing a classy company create a TT for the working man. I am really looking forward to your review on its performance. Would be good to see it give some serious competition to Pro-ject and Rega.
Dear Buddy :-D... send my regards to your dad in Tulsa!!! Magnepan 3.7is!! How is your Salk? Focal? :-D oooooooh!!!! excited for you!! Your rabbits are growing up nicely i believe with Zoey!!
My Dad absolutely loves his 3.7i. It is a great match for his Musical Fidelity KW500 (with Nuvista tubes). It has the sound he has always wanted. I am going to drive to Tulsa Oklahoma to hear them in less than two weeks. I heard a pair of Salk Song 3A at a Salk customer's house about 2 hours away here in Nebraska. This customer, Jeff, was a very nice guy and very accommodating. Some of most beautiful speakers I have ever seen. Sound is very refined with highs being incredibly transparent yet smooth with no fatigue. Worth every penny IMO. Unfortunately he did not have a turntable in his set up so I did not get to hear my full demo rotation. Just a few CDs on a entry level Oppo blueray player. He plans to get a TT and I told him to make sure he gets Schiit Mani and not just rely on the stage in his Parasound Halo preamp. His system will really take off when he does that. It took him 6 months to get his Salk speakers so demand must be very high. Not sure if I want to wait if it takes that long. I am considering an in home audition of a pair of Spatial M3 Triode Masters. Still thinking through it all. The Magnepan 1.7i and Focals are still in the running. Unfortunately I do not have a way to audition Audio Note speakers as I have always found those interesting. As much fun as I have had looking for speakers I will be glad when it is done in about 3 weeks.
Dear Buddy :-D :wowwwww!!! so many things going on.. all nice things!! :-D best regards to your father and you! A father-and-son pairing of Vinyl-Audiophiles!!! Oooh... six months for the Salk Song 3A? WOW MUST BE high demand! inferring great stupendous sound!! Okie... Spatial in your house soon... oh yummy times!!! I am with you spiritually!!!! :-D . I am imagining being with you listening to them and shifting them about!
Thank you ian for the video.i appreciate all of your work.l am very glad to now you better from your great videos.i believe you are passionate with the things you are doiing for your family,vinyls,the community and the music.forgive for my english i am trying to comunicate and tell you all the good thing i believe for you.l am waiting for the historical battle among dark side and jedi
Dear Buddy :-D ... thank you for your kind and warm message! I cherish it very, very much. I wish for you a lovely family and vinyl analogue sound always permeating your home :-D !... Best Regards my friend!! See you again, anytime!
Another fantastic video, Ian! Very curious to hear your thoughts on sound and how it compares to the Rega in the next video. From experience I have to say the build quality from MoFi is exceptional. I have the UltraDeck, and from unboxing (it is packaged identically to the StudioDeck, easily the best packaging I've ever seen for a turntable) to setup I was blown away by the attention to detail and the overal fit-and-finish. One interesting note (to me, anyhow): the cue lever is identical to that of the VPI Scout 1.1. The tonearm clip is also straight from VPI - whether modeled after it or sourced from the same place I have no idea. I was happy to see this similarity as the Scout had been my first love but I struggled at perfect cartridge setup with the subtlety of the unipivot tonearm, and eventually gave up and sold it, but never found one I liked as much until now. The RCA jacks and ground screw are also of VPI-like quality. But the main components - arm, plinth, platter - are exceptional and as good as anything I've encountered. I had purchased a Rega Planar 3 prior to this, and was so frustrated with it (just search for Rega 'hum' issues sometime - and I tried everything) that I returned it. The StudioDeck sits as a quiet alternative to a P3, and after asking a bunch of questions and reading the reviews online I got the UltraDeck instead - from experience knowing that I'd have regretted not getting the larger platter and slightly better plinth and tonearm if I hadn't. Time to sell off some components to pay the bill!
Dear Buddy!!! :-D thank you for catching up!! I hope you are doing well!! WOW the MT2!! Expensive :-D!!! Solid built. Made by ClearAudio. Buddy you are considering it? :-D yummy times for you!
Thank you Buddy Ken for catching up!!! :-D The sound quality one will be coming up next and i am pretty excited halfway running the auditions now!... see you soon my friend! Warmest Regards to you and your family and ring of vinyl playing brudders!!
Dear Buddy :-D hope you've gotten your apartment early!!! :-D And of course great Mexican food in your recent dinners!!!! Hahah... your message shows that: you're an audio geek like me :-D!!!!! Hi five!!
Yes, we've moved into our new apartment and I've started my new job in San Francisco! We live in a coastal city called Pacifica. We're only 1 mile from the ocean! I commute into San Francisco to work everyday. A lot of people walk their dogs in the city and I've seen a lot of them that look like Moko-chan!
Ian, great unboxing and design analysis-- this one seems to get all of the details right. BTW, even before Allen Perkins started using acetal (Delrin) platters to better couple the LP to the table, this was a Goldmund trick, (credit where credit is due.) Goldmund tables were sprung however, and secured to the stand or floor with non-compliant spikes. I'll be interested to hear how you think the HRS - designed feet may influence the sound of this table, if at all. Thanks again!
Dear Buddy :-D . ...wow!! your knowledge about Goldmund's pioneering with Delrin!!! Thank you for adding to all our knowledge...for the better!!! Indeed, credit where it is due. Thank you Goldmund from Switzerland! Thank you for your time again and for catching up on a weekend. See you soon Buddy!! I wonder what are your vinyl front-end components! Must be yummy!!! Let me know... i am all ears! ~ ian
you look so happy with that turntable. i would be too, but the price tag is well out of my range. and looks like you have the Naga MP500 cart. so that should sound as close to the original studio moment.
Really well done (again), Ian - may the better table win. ... Can a TT look well made & a bit too bare bones at the same time? This one does to me and now that I know how much this retails for - ouch! indeed & am in agreement with Vintage Vinyl Vets. ... Small request: Can you drop in a short summary how the MoFi fared against your Technics SL-1200/10 (don't know which MK versions you have)? Thank you & best wishes ~ Josh
Dear Buddy Josh, I'd really miss you on your Tokyo Nov 8th - 16th trip... as my in-laws in Japan are having in early October, their traditional memorial service after one year of my father-in-law's passing. I will be travelling there with my wife and sons. Let me get you a gift... and send it to you in Germany :-D !! You and your super SL1210 :-D :-D :-D
Dear Ian, I completely understand. No need to get me a gift though. Yes, I love my upgraded SL-1210 MK2 (cardas TA wiring, KABUsa oil damper). I'm sure there are plenty better ones out there but very few candidates at the price I paid (400 Euros + same for upgrades) and none offering so many upgrade possibilities. ... BTW, I will spend some time in SIN after Feb 12 '19.
Ouch? It costs $999. That's cheap for a table this nice. Bare bones? It does everything a turntable is supposed to do, plus a couple of things. The Rega does not offer VTA adjustment, has non-leveling feet, does not include a dust cover, and costs only $55 less. It seems to me that the Rega is far more bare bones while the MoFi offers high value.
Dear Buddy, enjoying our common MP-110!!! :-D I hope you are getting it on very well with your Rega!!! MoFi records on MoFi turntable... :-D i am still excitedly conducting the auditioning now...50% of the way done now... Brother, best regards and see you again!
wow.. thank you for still remembering me. yes im still rediscovering my music all over again with the mp110 + mani. thanks again for your amazing effort in the sound tests. im also sourcing for a sl1200 but hving some difficulty getting the 100v step down trans. so far ive only seen 110v.. hehehe.. will look forward to yr audition of this mofi deck. im sure its gonna be grrrreeeeaaaaat :) take care bro ian.
Very nice TT Ian, I like to play my records with the dust cover completely off! It assures that there is no resonance! Enjoy my friend, sorry it took so long to get to your great video!
Dear Buddy George!!! Thank you for your catching up!!! :-D Yes indeed...off goes the lid, off goes the extraneous resonance :-D ... brother, you are early to get to this video... don't say you are late.... :-D I am really glad to see you :-D
I really enjoy your reviews. Would be nice to get some reviews of old Turntables from Sansui for example. I have a Sansui SR 525 and would really like to know how it compares to others...
Hi Ian! Glad you're doing this review. I recently demoed the MoFi UltraDeck w/ MoFi UltraTracker cartridge. I came away very impressed with both its build and sound quality. In fact I liked it more than the Rega P6 with Ania cartridge in both build and sound. It's a very good value. I'll be interested to know what your thoughts are with the StudioDeck vs. the Rega P3. Darth Vader? Yes, I and the guys at the store also called it the same. lol. I guess that would leave me to talk about my only complaints about it. It's bigger than the other decks in its price range and not the most attractive. Although being solidly built, using good materials and looking well engineered makes up for the lack of beauty.
Buddy :-D ENjoy your new Acoustic Signature PRIMUS turntable!!!! TA-500 tonearm? :-D You must be excited and itching to play your vinyl records every day you come home!!!!
Using miniature Edison cylinder sleeves to store the tools was a nice touch by Mofi. The condition of that Project has me worried though, I’ve had mine for a year and a half....
Dear Buddy :-D hi!!!! How are you :-D ? Ah, miniature Edison cylinder sleeves!!! Why didn't i realize it? THANK YOU BROTHER!!! You're sharp my friend!!! Enjoy your Merc, MP110 and Mani!!!!! As long as your ProJect holds up, then it is okay! Mine was kept in a clean, cool, dry storage, with dessicants, in original boxing and stored nicely, but late last year (after 6months of purchase) i realized the edges have opened up. Never mind, enjoy yours my friend!!!! :-D
Thank you Ian for the great video. Very impressed by the MOFI StudioDeck and can't wait for your shoot out comparison. Do you plan to made a comparison with your Technics SL1200 too?
Thank you too my friend for your time catching up :-D!... yes it would be nice to test it out with my SL1200Mk5 and Mk2... indeed!!! Thank you for suggesting it!!! Best Regards to you Brother!
Owh my Dearest Ian. I was planning to get the Rega until I saw this video. Now I am halting my purchase. I have the Technics MK3 but feel like it's time to have a different turrntable. And frankly I am not fond of the Technics aesthetics. I am wondering if the MoFi StudioDeck is more comparable to the P6 rather than the P3. I will wait for your head to head results! Thanks for part 1
Dear Brother!!! Yes, :-D i am excited indeed to go through the current ongoing auditions and the shoot-out work between the two decks :-D!!! So exciting!! 80% of the auditioning done... some more work to do. Thank you for catching up after your last message at the "P1vsDebutCarbonvsPSHX500" video :-D!!! Great to see you Buddy!!! Hope you are starting a nice weekend!! ~ ian
Dear Buddy from Athens :-D thank you for catching up again!!! Ah yes! It is provided as the earth cable is joined together with the red & white RCA phonocable... Thank you always....and best regards to you!!! ~ ian.
Glad to see you doing this one Ian. Will you also be checking out the MoFi cartridges? I’d be interested to see how they stack up against to Nagaoka carts, especially on the MoFi tables vs other tables.
Today marks 1 full week with my new MoFi Ultradeck. It beat out the P6 and 1200GR, but it was very close. Extremely pleased with this table, but still curious to hear your thoughts on the StudioDeck, especially when it's paired with the Nagaoka and any others carts you try.
Greetings Ian! How are you my friend? I hope you and your family are doing well. Once again another fantastic video...I really enjoyed watching the unboxing and your thoughts on this MOFi turntable. I never knew MOFi made turntables! ! I learned something new. I'm looking forward to seeing part 2 and your opinion on how this performs. I'm curious what cart is bring used on the MOFi? Take care, Mark Anthony K Projekt Gemineye
Dearest Buddy... hope you are doing well, with memories well cherished and vivid with late father. Good and kind son he has. My thoughts are with you Brother Mark :-D. Buddy....the cart used in testing are the Nagaoka MP-150, Goldring 1006, and the MP-200.... hope to see your third new album!!!! I am enjoying your DAYS!!!!!!
I am in thel market for a new table. I am considering the MoFi, the SL-1200, and the VPI. I am looking for opinions. I know the costs are different. But the lower cost table could then be fitted with a more expensive cart or upgrade to preamp. So lower price table may be best. On the other hand the table I am replacing is 20 yrs old. So I expect this new table to last much longer than the cart or preamp. I currently use a Basis 1200 with Rega 250 arm, rewired.
My budget has some flex. I am considering the SL1200G and GR, VPI Prime Scout, and MoFi UltaDeck. It is so difficult to decide, is the G really worth twice the GR? A part of me thinks I would get more out of cart options. If the table is stable, speed consistent, isolated, and materials non-resonant is a magnesium arm worth twice the price for example? Good problems to have...LOL. Great video, I love your stuff and look forward to your reviews. Enjoying the hobby. I am 50 yrs old and I have never lost my love of vinyl. I have always been a fan and an audiophile. I have stayed with it through the ups and downs and am so excited to see it on a major upswing.
Congrats Ian on your new TT. I can't wait to see part II. From your original cartridge instructions videos, since your testing of many different cartridges. Any new insights you can share? Are you using your Fozgometer on every install?
Dear Buddy Gene :-D . great to see you again!!! Yes, I use my Fozgometer on every cartridge set-up to ensure readings are correct and balanced :-D...also using the digital microscope to ensure the Stylus Rake Angle too. Thank you for your catching up my friend!!! How are you? Must be enjoying your Wilson Benesch ACT50 tonearm too!!!!
HiViNyws channel you LOL 😂😂😂 You remember. Doing fine Ian . I enjoy tubes..I added a McIntosh C2600 pre amp and a pair MC75 mono blocks recently. I really enjoy your cartridges comparison, keep up the good job.
Ohhhh my goodness!!! McIntosh C2600 and a pair of MC75 monoblocks? :-D HEAVEN!!!!!!! I am having lovely transcendental sound with my humble xx2mk2 on my sme v arm for the past three years... so good it was, I bought the second xx2mk2 two years ago again and my third one (on standby purposes a year ago). Really love them... recommended to me by another friend four years ago :-D... ENJOY bliss listening and looking at your McIntoshes..............
Hi my friend😁!!!...yes it is a very well conceived and good deck. Regarding the 45 adapter, one would need to purchase one separately as MoFi doesn't include one within the box. Warmest Regards Buddy 🎶🎵🎶🎶Nd have fun!
We love this turntable so far BUT, at $1,999-OUCH. It’s just not a realistic purchase for most unfortunately. Keep up the great work, your knowledge and passion are second to none.🎧
Ah Buddy :-D ... this turntable without cart is about US$990. It is a direct comparison to the P3. Likewise in Singapore (my home country), the P3 and StudioDeck costs about the same at S$1650... :-D would be quite a battle. Thank you Sir for catching up again!!!!! Hope you and your band of vinyl playing brothers are singing and spinning along well!!
Hi Ian, Great video as always, what a massive edit job again! Respect! I have a studio and a ultradeck, in the studiodeck a nagoka mp200 is mounted with the feickert protractor and adjust + for azimuth. When i calculate resonance freq i get a 5hz figure with the supplied 35 gram armweight from mofi, when i measure in adjust+ i get a 9 hz. The weight given from mofi must be off i guess, how do you stand in this point?
Sorry my friend for my six-days' late reply!! Dear Nijman, yes :-D ... regarding the subject on Tonearm-Cartridge matching: Most important points, most important factors are…. SO MANY!!! The cartridge engine, internal wiring, shielding, magnetic flux densities, control, wiring angles, wiring workmanship, and the tonearm tube material, shaping externally and internally, wiring, bearing quality. Here i present:If calculated compliance deducing tonearm-cartridge matching is so important, why is it that the same cartridge can sound SO DIFFERENT with different tonearms with the same gimballed/unipivot design and same tonearm effective masses? IT IS because different tonearms have different qualities of build, different materials, different tapering designs that can reduce hugely tonearm resonances (outcome totally different from our grossly calculated Rf), different shielding, different manufacturing repeatability and integrity, different tonearm base wiring quality, connection and workmanship, THAT ALL affects the cartridge’s performance :-DWe elucidate more:A) the SAME TONEARM playing TWO DIFFERENT cartridges can sound so different despite both cartridges having the same compliance figures! ProJect fans say that Ortofon cartridges have compliances figures that match their low-effective-mass-ProJect-tonearms rather than Technics SL1200 tonearms. BUT THE TRUTH is here: how come the $100 Ortofon 2M Red, which is supposedly a much better cartridge than the ubiquitously distributed and heavily mass-produced $30 AT-3600 series cartridge, actually sounds SO bad when matched with the ProJect Debut Carbon (9g tonearm), so much worse, than a $30 AT-3600 cartridge installed on the Rega Planar 1? B) AND also, the 2M Red on the Technics SL1200Mk2/3/5 (medium-high mass tonearm) sounds so much better THAN the AT-3600, AT-95e WITH the Technics SL1200Mk2/3/5! The 2M Red also sounds better installed on a P1 than installed on the ProJect Debut Carbon. Compliance matching is but a small factor amongst SO MANY HUGE DECISIVE FACTORS. Compliance is but a small matter in the overall performance of a cartridge. Let us say that a cartridge is matched very well with a tonearm to effect in a Resonant Frequency of 9-11Hz, but yet the tonearm bearings are poor:- case 1: rough (not smooth) action of tonearm, resulting in compliance issues being thrown out of the window, as a tonearm with unsmooth action, is likened to a heavy ponderous tonearm with "high effective mass", - case 2: poor bearings tolerance that result in FREE PLAY, and that EQUALS TO SLIPPAGE of the stylus (during actual music play) in 10-20microns across and within the groove modulations, which again, THROW compliance matching out of the window!!!!, and such free play and slippage results in loss of fidelity and is MUCH worse than any compliance (calculated) mismatch issues. My friends and I, have all the thesis and papers from magazines discussing compliance but we all threw them away in the end. They proved to be not worth exploring and calculating to the extremes like a religion. There are many more huge, factors involved in the sound quality of the system :-D…and slippage/freeplay of the tonearm bearings during actual music play will throw all the calculated figures out of the window. :-D As you would already know in your journey, we will be wiser, and always eventually be, using our ears always eventually, yay!!!Warmest Regards Buddy :-D and a Merry Christmas and Peaceful and Joyous 2019 to you and your family!!!~ ian
Wow, I can’t believe the state of that Pro-Ject Debut! I have owned a couple of Pro-Ject decks and whilst they weren’t up to the same build standards as a Rega, they weren’t that bad. I’d want that plinth replaced. The cueing mechanism may actually be a Rega part on the MoFi deck, I know the lever is different but the actual hydraulic cylinder looks very similar, Rega supply other manufacturers with cueing mechanisms, Linn included because it’s about the best part available.
Dear Buddy :-D with your TWO P5s and RB700 arm!! True....your good knowledge and experience is likely true here regarding Rega possibly supplying the hydraulic cylinder to MoFi/..... but i have no intel on that so far :-D....hahaha... Rega's cue lever system ranks as one of the best...regardless of price of the turntable on the market :-D! Warmest Regards my brother!!!!!
I purchased the MOFI UltraDeck+ with Ultra Tracker cart this past summer for my B-day. After much research, I was sure I'd made the correct decision and purchased my last TT for quite some time. As it were, I returned the MOFI UltraDeck the very next day. Might have listened to 5 songs before repackaging it. Poor fit and finish was the first thing I noticed. There is a plastic plate mounted to the bottom of the base/plinth which has sharp corners that protrude slightly beyond the corner of the plinth that can catch on skin or clothes and literally snap off under enough force. I discovered theses sharp edges with my palms upon taking the table out of the packaging. The bolt pattern used to secure this plate to the plinth left drooping gaps of about 1/8" between bolted locations, indicating that the material used here is not as rigid/stable as required, or that not enough fasteners were used. The next issue was RF noise that I could not quell regardless of which preamp or interconnects I used. This was not a problem in my system before the addition of the MOFI. Then there was a chatter/squeal created by the drive belt in the pulley upon startup. Wasn't 100% consistent, but fairly repeatable. Finally, I was completely underwhelmed with the sound of the Ultra Tracker cart. It was the typical scooped out mids sound I can find from so many budget MM carts. Sure, I could have allowed it to "break in" over time in the hopes of improved sound, but I was not willing to risk that at $2200. I wanted so much to LOVE the MOFI table (mostly due to its "Made in the USA" status) and I just simply could not. In my opinion, you can get much more table for the money. Now, the MOFI Studio version may be an entirely different beast, but I'm too gun shy to entertain it. FWIW, I returned the MOFI for a P6 Ania and am very satisfied.
Dear Buddy :-D I am very happy to hear your personal experience and relayed them to all of us. UltraDeck vs P6. Thank you for letting us know!!!! Warmest Regards and may you, your family AND your vinyl-playing friends have a joyous and lovely 2019 :-D !!!~
Hello Ian, I discovered your videos just a couple weeks ago, and now I can't get enough of them. You do an amazing job of presenting real-world technical information in a creative interesting manner! I have a request: There are many of us Bang & Olufsen users out there who have used nothing but B&O for decades. Much of my record collection is up to 40+ years old and these lp's are still perfect. They are perfect because of the care they receive and, I believe, because of B&O's extremely low-mass cartridge design. I have been very happy with the sound from my B&O tx2 with mmc3 cartridge as well. There are many people like me who are happy with our B&O's, but curious about "the other side". Have you ever considered doing a compare between an older B&O and a modern turntable like the Rega Planer 1 or 3? I think it would be eye-opening (or ear-opening) for many of us. Thank you for all of your efforts!! Mark
Dear Buddy Mark :-D, thank you so much for coming by and catching up!!!and writing to me with your experience, stories and opinions!!! Wow we are on "different sides" but we still come together in friendliness of course in this vinyl ecosphere!!! Cool to chat with you B&O user :-D !!!! Brother, I may not be able to get a B&O deck in good enough optimum condition, and as such, I apologize for not planning to get one for testing and comparisons... :-D AN ear-opening experience it would make, but I apologize. I love it when I hear you are keeping much of your record collection for the next generations!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE!!! Warmest Regards my friend!!!
@@HiViNywschannel Hello my friend. Thank you for your reply and for considering my suggestion. I understand that due to the age of the remaining B&O turntables, it would indeed be difficult to obtain a reference quality test specimen. Oh well, I'll just have to "take the plunge" some day and hear for myself. As old as my ears are, I may never hear a difference 🙉. Keep up the great work! I look forward to your excellent reviews! Kind regards, Mark
Dear Buddy :-D hope you are doing very well in Germany. Brother I would not recommend the 2M Blue, it sounds veiled. The cheaper MP-110 sounds better than it :-D way better. Yes indeed, quality turntables are coming onto the market now!! We shall also await the soon-to-be launched Schiit Sol turntable.... :-D exciting times for us all and the industry is hotting up with competition. Warmest Regards Buddy!
Love Ian’s videos. Favorite line, “people like yummy unboxing videos”. Has anyone done any speed measurements? Do these run fast like Rega’s and/or can they or do they need hookup to a speed controller?
Dear Buddy, thank you for coming by🤗!! Because the Dr Feickert speed app didn't get upgraded to be compatible with the latest iOS, the iPhones belonging to my family members all can't work with the Dr Feickert speed app. I apologize that yes, I wasnt able to check the speed parameters for the MoFi StudioDeck, but although I can't give you the exact Wow and Flutter readings, it doesn't run faster like Rega decks...coz the time taken to complete one track on the StudioDeck is the same as a Technics SL1200G. Real time listening also allows me to predict low Wow and Flutter values for the StudioDeck. No awful pitch changes on a trailing piano note. Warmest Regards Buddy 🎉🎶🎵🎶
Hi Ian! Hope all is going well with you, my friend! I can’t wait for the MoFi vs Rega shootout. I’ve got a pretty good idea who’s gonna win, and I’m rooting for them too. I noticed that the tonearm on the MoFi deck is a VPI, or at least made by them. The Headshell obviously gives it away. Not that you ever would, because it would be unnecessary, but I wonder if it would be possible to upgrade the tonearm with a higher tier VPI one. Once again, I’d never do it, but I’m just curious. Can’t wait for that shootout, Ian! 😁🎼👍🏼
Dear Buddy with the MP-200!!..ahh... gosh you are right about the similarities of the VPI vs the tonearm found on the Studiodeck!!! Hehheh...i sure do not know which you are supporting here! :-D... mofi or rega? ... we shall see!! we shall see!!.. thank you for catching up yet again my dear buddy!! May all be well with you and your family too!!
Dear Buddy :-D ahh.....lovely! the Orbit version 2!!! Thank you for coming by and chatting up with me!!! Your suggestion of me testing out the Orbit v2 is very helpful indeed! Unfortunately the Orbit is a deck that is restricted to 110V and U-Turn specifies a very specific step-down transformer with perfect 60Hz clocking mechanism for us living in 230V areas/countries. I apologize as the test of the Orbit V2 would not be as helpful to all the viewers. Though I understand that the V1 with its Grado Black1 IS good :-D! Warmest Regards and have a lovely and joyous 2019!!~
Dear Buddy Bill :-D great to see you again!!! It has been some months...and thank you very much for finding time to catch up! :-D NICE ONE THERE : TRACKING *FORCE* !!! Yes Sir! I will do my best! Excitedly conducting the auditions currently, 70% of the way completed and i will complete the rest in the next few days. Warmest Regards my friend! Hope this message finds you in good health, family togetherness and vinyl analog bliss! ~ ian
hi Ian, great video ! I have the studiodeck together with it's cartridge, the studio tracker, and a mani... I am very pleased with it ! do you have the studiotracker cart as well ? I was wondering how does the supplied cart compare to a let's say, mp110 or mp150 ? I consider purchasing the mp110 based on your review, and I am wondering if it is going to be an upgrade? By the way, do you think putting a mat on the platter would change the sound ? I found the delrin platter to sound really good, but I find it producing a lot of static, and I am worried about scratching my LP's, putting them bare against the platter ... Can you share your opinion and findings on that ? best regards and keep up the really good reviews :-) cheers from France !
I am interested to hear your opinion on this turntable. Although I am still considering obtaining the Technics SL-1200GR with a Nagoaka cartridge. I do own a Project Debut Carbon turntable. I have owned it for four years now with the Ortofon 2M Red cart and have not seen any wear at all on the base. The only problem I have is some hum from the Debut Carbon motor, otherwise it is in good shape and sounds good.
Dear Buddy Tom, nice to see you again :-D!!! ah yes! the SL1200GR which you had told me you have been considering! Mmm....the MP200 with the GR and your existing Mani.... great!!!.. some friends have that combination too. Warmest Regards!!! See you my friend, anytime.
Hey Ian, What a great video to start my week with! The MoFi looks indeed very well made and you can clearly see the price difference in its appearance. Since I stopped using belt-drive turntables years ago, the yellow belt adds indeed nice touch to it. And the RCA terminal is really easy to reach (something that Technics did not solve that well in their new SL-line.). Now, the only thing I'd be really missing on these MoFi's was 78rpm. It will be interesting to see how well the MoFi can keep a steady playback spped. And what a shame with the flaking of the Pro-Ject deck. Interestingly, I once started with a Pro-Ject myself years ago and was so disappointed with its cheap quality that I returned and bought my first Technics. Cheers, Norman
Dear Buddy Norman from Germany!! :-D Enjoy your Technics SL1200G and MP-500! Yes the RCA terminals of the new line SL decks are so difficult to reach!! Warmest Regards to you and your family in Germany, and thanks to dietchapstick's chatting up here too!
Looks a lovely deck, are the hinges made from plastic though. I would be worried that they will break over time. Great video as always Ian, looking forward to the review.
Dear Buddy with your Mani :-D great to see you again!!! How have you been?! Gosh true... plastic hinges... i have reexamined it and found them to be relatively thick...but still.. you are right.... just depending on the flexion groove carved into the plastic may have some issues down the road !... I will keep a lookout my friend!!! Thank you so much for your time!! And Warmest Regards to you and your family always. ~ ian
HiViNyws channel. Hi Ian, I am well thanks. Still enjoying the Mani, although it's very hot at the moment in the UK, so making the most of the weather as it doesn't happen very often, therefore not a lot of time to listen to it. All the best to you and your family, kindest regards - Paul
A beautiful sleek black finish. So nice that Roy Gandy might have done it himself ! Apologies for not updating you earlier. I now have a superb precision machined sub-platter upgrade from Fidelity Designs. You would not believe how easily, smoothly (and for how long) it spins ! My set-up gives me beautiful music, but the one thing I need to upgrade is the phono stage. Currently relying on the one built-in to the Onkyo Amp 9050. Hopefully I can report back to everyone in the coming weeks. Best Wishes from Nottingham, England.
Hello! I wanted to thank you for these awesome videos! They are VERY informative! I had a question for you. I am new to vinyl, but I instantly fell in love. Being pretty young I cant afford the best of the best. I was planing on getting a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC) as my first table. I have heard outstanding reviews, basically that is the best for in that price range. I was wondering what you would recommend as a good preamp to go with it. I was hoping to keep the preamp under 200$ but I would be willing to pay a little more if it was worth it. If you have time, Id love to hear your opinion! Thanks!
Hi Buddy John💪😄, easy, get the Planar1 instead (avoid the Debut), and the Schiit Mani direct from www.schiit.com. I had made the direct comparison video review/shootout between the Rega Planar1, Sony PS-HX500 and the Pro-Ject DebutCarbon. You can watch that my friend😊✌ Please do yourself a favour: P1+Mani. 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
@@HiViNywschannel Thank you very much for your input and quick response! I watched your comparison video, and I noticed in this video the peeling on the finish of the Debut! I have been leaning more and more towards the Planar 1. My only concern is the anti skate. It seems that its not adjustable? So if I wanted to upgrade my cartridge I wouldn't be able to set the proper track force? Im sure the stock cartridge is fine, but I know myself very well. Eventually Ill want to upgrade! As for the Schiit Mani, ill be ordering one next week! Thanks again.
Hello Ian - been watching your videos for quite sometime now, but this is the first time I'm actually leaving a comment. Needless to say, I've found your videos to be very educational and entertaining, so I hope you'll keep them coming. I've been having issues with the anti-skate device on my StudioDeck. When it's attached, I get sound distortion and the MoFi StudioTracker skips or repeats certain parts of the record. When the anti-skate is off, the sound is perfect and the stylus doesn't skip/repeat. I've contacted MoFi, but none of their suggestions seems to have worked... yet. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Dear Buddy, i read and reread your message...thought and rethought about it... and to suggest anything may go to show that you haven't done enough yourself or that MoFi doesn't know what they are doing. I respect you both that you guys are both correct in your troubleshotting algorithms. ..thus i would say, it could be a cartridge issue. Reason: i have no issue with playing records with skipping, nor their antiskating mechanism. I believe you have taken out and left the antiskating weight off while adjusting for the tracking force, i believe you have introduced the antiskating weight and string after the tracking force is fixed and the cartridge cantilever aligned parallel to the hashmarks on the protractor (without any influence of the antiskating weight pulling to one side abd thus tilting the cantilever a bit), etc. I thus think it i something that you cannot fix: the cartridge. 🤗I hope not too...but no other explanation possible at this juncture. Warmest Regards Buddy.
Hi Vince, I see you’ve been in touch with our service manager regarding this issue. I’ll look over your correspondence and write you directly via email.
The same here, albeit to a lesser extent. Have the tab around the first notch, that goes well. What can still be a problem is that the cord does not run smoothly through the holder. perhaps the holder is too narrow or the cord is frayed. I would like to hear what Mofi had for solution. Best Regard, Mark
Outstanding review of the MOFI Studio deck! I heard this deck at Axpona 2019 in Chicago this past April and I was VERY impressed with how it retrieved information from the grooves. Totally quiet, smooth running turntable. It exudes a classy, sleek look. I don't think anything at or below $1000 USD can compete with this turntable, especially when you take design and build quality into account. Ian, I especially appreciate how you show small details in your videos, such as where to adjust the tonearm for each specific need, such as VTA. Again, super nice video content. You are one of my absolute favorite reviewers of gear. I can't wait to see you do a review comparing the MOFI Studio deck vs the MOFI Ultradeck! A++++ job, Ian!
Dearest Buddy Jeffrey!~ :-D thank YOU so much for coming by and catching up with me again after 9 months!!! I appreciate it my friend :-D !!! How are you? I hope you are scoring well with 12o'clock on discogs :-D!!!
Dear Buddy with your MP200 (replacing your Denon)!!! Yes, the Force is supposed to beat the Dark Side of the Force... but i realized...gosh...in Episode 5 which i watched many times since 1980 when i was 5 years old, Vader beat ObiWan.... argh..... :-D that is why i am willing to use this analogy in this video... coz there still wouldn't be that obvious who will win. Good vs bad? Or? it will pan out as in the storyline of Episode 4? sorry buddy...i am waffling :oD... Thank you for catching up my friend!!! See you soon! ~ ian.
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up!!! :-D it is a tussle i feel it is going to be!!! :-D very exciting ... running the careful auditions now :-D.... can't wait.. Buddy thank you for your time and friendship. Warmest Regards!! I apologize i have not had the experience playing with the Marantz TT-15s1 as yet. I hope to do so soon too. :-D See you Sir!
Dear Ian, I have played with the TT15S1 and though it is good, I am not so sure about it's price. In my humble opinion it is a little half hearted approach by clear audio in order to cut price for selling under Marantz Logo
Dear Brother, sorry... :-D i have not yet gotten hold of the UltraDeck, and thus, i cannot make any valuable and valid comments on this SD vs UD. Thank you very much for asking too! And yes :-D when you have the chance to audition them at your dealer's place (make sure they use the same cartridge), let me know their differences :-D Warmest Regards, and HAVE FUN! ~ ian.
@@HiViNywschannel thanks for the reply I just did it recently and their not using the same cart. Darn.. The UD was using ultra cart and SD using SD cart. BTW, in your other video with the P3 how did you ensure both these had the same 92 degree rake?
Hello Ian:First; thank you for you outstanding and passionate reviews; please keep up the excellent work. Your reviews are just about the only ones I take seriously nowadays. Second, I bought a Rega Aria based primarily on your recommendation; this is proving to be an outstanding match for my 2M black/TD 309. Your assessment of this phono stage was spot on. Finally, you have stated that you do not wish to be influenced by manufacturers money. While this is admirable, it also forces you to spend out of pocket and limits possible reviews. Have you considered a Patreon page which accepts anonymous donations only? I know it is possible to donate anonymously: I'm not sure if you can accept anonymous donations only. Perhaps something to look into? Personally, I would be very happy to support your continued reviews with donations. This might allow reviews of more expensive MM and MC cartridges which I'd love to hear from you.
Dear Buddy Mark, you are so kind... thank you ... too kind...how can i thank you back.
Brother, i have considered very, very heavily over the past two years, as some kind friend had mooted the idea of patreon to me before. After heavy considerations, I decided not to go with it. My allegiance and commitment to honesty is to my fellow friends, you and every fellow vinyl buddy. And making this commitment have to involve 100% honesty with my reviews. I want 100%. I do not even want 99.99%. It has to be completely, totally, scorchingly clean. My wife discussed with me at length, and she stood with my decision not to have patreon. She also says 100% is what she admire about. As a side note, i do not like the idea that patrons would have first look, special access to certain information/videos/productions from me - i just want to be fair to everybody, and to give of myself and all my work to everybody, and no special treatment of some people, and lesser for others. All my work must benefit everybody. Openly to everybody. Knowledge must be fairly, and openly shared with everybody altruistically, to give of myself.
You are right that having donations can allow more funds to acquire and review more expensive equipment, yes i totally agree, as i have considered that heavily. But eventually, i decided to do it the tough way, to continue with my own sacrifices and hardship, i would rather produce 200 reviews that are 100% honest, than have 1,000 reviews that are 99.99% honest.
Thanks for allowing me to state all these thoughts that went on heavily in my considerations all these past months. I hope you will share the same sentiments my brother. Thank you Brother Mark.
Your friend,
~ ian.
Brother Ian:Thank you for your thoughts on this subject. I understand your integrity should not be compromised and is the core of your reviews in any case. So here's hoping you get a big raise in the near future!
Mark T Thank you Sir!🌞✌
Really glad and happy to receive all your kindness!!!!
Cheers my friend!!!!!!Warmest Regards!💪🎵🎶
Wow, Ian! Once again, you’ve shown how selfless you are, and your total commitment to the VC and also to the world. Karma is undoubtedly 100% on your side, my friend. Thank you for the millionth time! Haha! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nick Pantazi Dear Buddy Nick👋😄🎶great to have your kindness and support too!!!!! You've been so kind.
It looks very nice, but my issue with many new record players is their use of delrin, pom, mdf, etc platter material that it is not conductive, meaning the static electricity will build up much more and cause a lot of noise compared to classic record players using aluminum plates connected to ground.
Hi Ian,
Looking forward to your 2nd part of the review for the MoFi StudioDeck. Enjoy your extensive and knowledgeable reviews. Keep up the great work, my friend!!!
Dearest Buddy!!:-D enjoying your MP-110 and Mani eh? I AM!!! Now 11am on a Monday morning here... today is my off day from work, and I have been listening to Blue Note Music Matters one after another, on my MP-110 and Mani!!!... it has been three hours since 8am... nonstop :-D!!!!!!!!! Ooooh....love it. Vinyl bliss :-D !!! Buddy I am doing my best and hope it will fulfil your requirements for the shoot-out between these two decks, P3 and StudioDeck, which you are contemplating on getting. Will be doing my diligent best and carefully in setting up. Getting a fair playing field. Careful auditions with Nagaoka and Goldring carts used. Warmest Regards and have a nice and easy week ahead my brother.
~ ian
Apparently the large square, yellow power button is a nod to the play button on an old analog mixing board. I love my studio deck, and this video makes me appreciate it even more.
Excellent unboxing and explanation! Thank you for letting us share the excitement of opening a new piece of gear.
Dear Don :-D thank you for catching up!!!! Hope you are doing really good and yes, glad to have your encouragement always!!! As i have said to you before, you friends' encouragement ARE the reasons to propel me into these projects. THANK YOU.
T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U. SIR!!!!!
One other nice video! Well done as ever! Thanks for the enjoyment you share with all us! Cheers from Italy ...
Just want to say thank you Senpai...listening to some 1972 vinyl...thanks to you... Thank you Sir for getting me into vinyl.... Bowing...
gnome Dear Buddy👋😄don't bow... i am same as you. Let's embrace our common vinyl analog music, journey and community!!!! 💪💪💪😄yay we will go from strength to strength, each helping more along the way. Heehee. We're winning.
Hi Ian, A truly outstanding unboxing video. You added another dimension to this video, I could almost “feel” the quality of the StudioDeck. I expect the StudioDeck will perform as well as it looks and “feels.” I eagerly await your complete review. Thank you for your continued efforts while I watch your unboxing video again!
Dear Buddy Steven in CA :-D !!! oooooh...this deck is indeed quality, holding it, lifting it, transporting it from rack to rack, table to rack, how it rests on those feet, ow the whole thing feels, how it operates... indeed. Me too, expect it to perform as well as it looks :-D . i am excited as well continuing my current auditions!...about 50-60% of the way done. Hope you are having a nice Monday evening Brother Steven :-D, my best regards to your family too!
Thank you, Ian. Give my best to your family also and have a great week!
lovely looking table you have added to your collection mate. I will be watching this closely.
Brother :-D !!!! How are you!!! I have still yet to hear the FGS and love to hear it one day, soon! Thank you for catching up yet again my friend!!!
Thank you. I was so happy to wake up and see this video. Looks like a fine machine. I'm actually considering the Ultradeck now. Can't wait for your impressions after auditioning.
Tom Methans There's someone that's done a couple of needle drops on an Ultradeck on TH-cam, but only one shows up after a search unless you go into their channel.
Something seems off about it, maybe you could have a listen and tell me if it's just me...
This Beautiful MOFI Studio Deck turntable is a Masterpiece😍❤️ I Love it‼️
Dear Buddy with your Sansui SP-1500!!!! Hope you are enjoying your vinyl bliss too!!!!!!!! :-D . See you my friend!!! Thank you for catching up!!!
Hi Ian, I got a nice Used Technics Turntable recently. I Really Like it! I Love the Vintage Technics Turntables. My Sansui Speakers 🔊 are Still sounding Excellent. I enjoy watching you videos, Ian. I have learned a lot about Turntables from them. Keep up the great work! You are a blessing to the Vinyl Community! GOD Bless you & your Family mightily, my Friend😃
Another great job.Like a good movie serial you've left me all excited and anxious to hear about the results.
Dearest Big Brother Richard!!!! Love you!!! Thank you for always a kind buddy to all of us. Are you or have you upgraded to the 20x2? :-D
I have been frozen by the law of diminishing returns and cannot choose an upgrade of cartridge or any other component.
Drooling seeing this, what a beauty, thank you for sharing, great stuff!
Another great video. Thank you for your presentation. You are a thorough professional!
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up! Have been a few months! Thank you for your friendship and vinyl brotherhood! :-D . Warmest Regards!!
Great review Ian, thorough and professional, as always.
BRother, great to see you again!!! How are you?
Ah.... yes!!! Have you gotten your P3 yet? and.... an amplifier you're aiming at now?
On your vid about the Mofi Studio deck I bought one. I love it. I was undecided until you pointed out the aesthetics. It plays fantastic and looks as good. Thanks
Dear Buddy Iargan :-D congratulations for getting it!!!! It looks really good! A 10inch tonearm necessitating a BIGGER plinth and more grandeur overall appearance!!!!! Have much fun and pride in playing your records and looking at your lovely deck on this lovely weekend my friend!!
Thank you for coming by and catching up with me!
Warmest Regards,
~ ian.
Outstanding unboxing and initial impressions video. Can’t wait for complete review and comparison to P3.
Dear Buddy Miljen :-D!!!!!!!!! thank you!!! It is just launched!
See you very soon! Thank you for your time and kindness. See you my friend!
Thank you for the unboxing, Ian and keep the videos coming :-)
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up and great to see you again!!!! Hope you have a smooth and easy week ahead!!! Vinyl bliss always accompany us.... have fun my friend!! See you!!
Great vid! Can't wait for the results. Rooting for the MoFi
Yes Buddy :-D I am eagerly continuing my testing and careful auditions!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!! Arghh!!!! Me too buddy!! Let's keep our fingers crossed!!! There are a lot of support indeed for the MoFi!!!!!! Much more than for the P3! :-D
Hello Ian! Another great video! I can’t wait for the second part!
Dear Buddy :-D Thank you for catching up!!! Great to see you!!!
Hope you are nicely winding down and resting on a Sunday evening.
I am waking up here in Singapore at 8am+
See you Sir!!
yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes Looking forward to the next video, as always. Thank you, Ian!
Gosh, TH-cam stuffed your comment as spam... I just noticed it and of course let it come to light!!! THANK YOU BROTHER, yet again for your kind support and friendship!!! Thank you!!
May you be well and happy.
~ ian.
Excellent tt review Ian. When will you be posting more videos? I very much enjoy your content. Thoughtful, thorough and informative
Thank you Buddy, thank you Buddy 👋🤗😄☘☘☘☘☘☘ may you enjoy all the vinyl analogue bliss all your life with your lovely family☘🏡🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶!!!
Great video Ian! Very happy to see the unboxing. You're an expert master! Keep on doing the great work! Warm regards!
Brilliant Video, good and helpful information. Thank you, thumbs up!
Thank you Buddy :-D!!!
Ian! You are back wow great TT.
Jealous!
To say I'm impressed in the build quality would be an understatement. Hopefully it sounds as good as it looks. Looking forward to the review, thanks Ian.
Dear Buddy with your 1-year old MP-500!!...thank you yet again for catching up!!!! How is your system rocking along man? :-D
Warmest Regards always Sir.
My SL-1200 is chugging along but it needs a new tonearm :(. I'm torn on whether I should repair and upgrade with KAB or get a Studio/Ultradeck. Will be a couple months before I can do either so I have time to think hehe.
Excellent as always! Thank you my friend!
Dear Buddy :-D and thank you for catching up too!!!!! Hope you have a great week ahead Sir! Best Regards! (...having lunch now with my wifey).... ~ ian
Hello Ian,
Thank you for your dedication, you certainly will understand that I keep my finger crossed for the REGA P3. I'm looking forward to this review. All the best...
Dear Buddy :-D thank you!!! i am pretty excited conducting the audition tests currently :-D...about 50% of the way done... thank you for your time catching up again my friend.... continue to enjoy your MP-150, it is still affixed onto my SL1200GAE and playing music regularly!! Warmest regards my friend :-D
Very interesting! Can't wait for part 2. Very interested in pitch stability testing, as well as noise floor from motor, belt, transformer & etc.
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up!!! Yes :-D....i am indeed very excited conducting the ongoing auditions between these two decks... 70% of the way done, thank you to all you friends' kindness and support. I will dial in the other results as soon as possible these next few days to a week.
Thank you for your kind suggestions too my friend. Warmest Regards to you and your family Alexey :-D!
Hello again Ian,
First off your detailed review and I mean d~e~t~a~i~l~e~d was spectacular. I am always curious about the Tonearm and the Cue Lever and you answered everyone of my questions that I had in my head. It was like you knew what I was thinking. {smile} Thank you for pointing out the improvements that they have made compared to previous turntable releases. The finish and the dust cover both look classy and well made. Boy you really did one heck of a review with this TT. Both longtime vinyl collectors and people who are new to everything vinyl will definitely benefit from this video. I know that I truly did.
Way to go Brother Ian~
Rob/Boston
Paneeks1960 {Rob/Boston} Dearest Big Brother Rob, thank you for your kind ume and catching up👋😄...hope to see you soon again with your VC videos too! So nice of you to be ever ready for all of us VC friends everywhere😄😄😄🎵🎶🎶. Amazingly giving of you of your time, care and attention. You're the Top. Thank you Sir.
Hmm nice can`t wait for the comparison video,I hope it`s long & very in depth Ian,keep up the good work & thank you.
V.F.E.
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up!! Hope you are doing very well with your vinyl bliss!!!!!... Thank you Brother. Warmest Regards :-D
It sure looks the part!!! Another highly anticipated review/comparo coming soon to a theater near you!
Get your popcorn ready!👍
Dearest Buddy :-D thank you for your time!! Sorry i am 5 hours late in my reply. I hope this message finds you in good health, great vinyl bliss (your MP110!), easy work ahead and lovely family around you!!!!
Hey Brother Ian and fam!! 👋🏻let’s see who am I forgeting🤔🤔oh why yes Moko! 😆😆I just love unboxings don’t ask why heehee......oooo sweeeet goodies! Yeah....wow Ian your already impressed?? Now I’m impressed!! and paying much attention......great vid very much looking forward to the next part! Take care and have a wonderful week ahead - sister Lis
Dear Sis... when i mentioned that part early in the video about friends who like unboxings... I HAVE YOU IN MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know!!! :-D you have mentioned to me before and it stuck!!!! Thank you for giving me the inspiration and commitment to do this unboxing video. It takes some effort. But YOU ARE ONE MAJOR FACTOR. Thank you Sister.
Have a great time Sis and more revolutions (vinyl and Bicycle) easing into your mileage always!!!!!!!! Love . ~ ian
Nice video Ian as usual :-)
This new tt looks great can't wait for the audio test ;-)
My greedings ... Nick from Greece :-)
Brother Nick :-D hi!!!! SL-BD22 rocking on!!! Yes the StudioDeck looks great indeed... i am eagerly continuing the auditions... :-D see you again Buddy, and again THANK YOU for your kind friendship! Warmest Regards!
Thx Ian and no need to mention your channel deserves it take care and have fun :-)
My God that Mofi turn table looks amazing.
Yes indeed a quality deck worth check out!! :-D ... have fun in your vinyl journey!!
Can't wait for this comparison... Keep up the good work Ian! Cheers!
Dear Buddy :-D... the review is finished, and the video productions are finishing very soon. I will be able to launch it this weekend!!!
Warmest Regards Buddy!!! Enjoy your MP110 and Mani!!! Yay!!!
~ ian.
That's awesome! We're all waiting for that. You rock!
Vinyl Revolutions have fun Buddy!!! I can't wait to finish it asap🌞😄...keep on spinning🎵🎶see you again this weekend. Thank you for all your time.
Dear Ian, another fine video, sharing your perspectives and tastes for the MoFi design. I am very much looking forward to your acoustic/sonic review. Hopefully, it sounds as good as it look? Your friend, Dan in Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Dearest Buddy Dan!! Ah!! You are in Texas just like the vinyl guru Paul of "barakapdub" channel!!! :-D Hotbed of vinyl aficionados you guys all are!!!!!!!!! I feel that the Americans are really getting into the manufacturing part better and better, even my English friends are appreciating the strength of "made in America" products more and more. One also opined that the Americans seem to bounce back from adversity very well. Kudos my friend!!! Best Regards Brother Dan :-D . Great to see you again!!!!!
Wow. That is one sexy looking table. Excellent run through of the unboxing to point out those little details that may be otherwise missed. Made in Ann Arbor Michigan, unbelievable! I need to find their manufacturing site. Can't wait to see how it fares against the Rega P3. My best to you and yours. Great video.
Yes and you Buddy are in Michigan :-D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heehee.....perhaps you can pop by :-D... send me some photos if you can if you pass by/check out their actual site on the ground! :-D...
Buddy, warmest regards and all the peace and fun for your lovely family :-D
See you again Brother!
hi Ian my friend , love your attention to detail and the ending is pure gold as i am a star wars fan , can't wait for your review ,
also the ortofon winndfield ti will be released at the munich sound show , i think it will be a killer , time will tell, all the best to you and your family , take care Arthur from melbourne australia.
Dear Arthur!!! My stepson's girlfriend had just finished her studies in Melbourne!! Thank you and your fellow countrymen for playing host to her!!! My stepson also travelled to Melbourne to see her for a week just three months ago. They thoroughly enjoyed their stay :-D!!! Buddy!! Hahaha.... Star Wars fan!!! Let's go buddy!! Vader vs Kenobi this time.
Best Regards and keep warm buddy!
Very nice video Ian. Cant wait for the shootout, I know you'll do a great job my friend. Hope that you and your family are doing well.
Dear Buddy Mark :-D....yes i am eagerly continuing conducting the testing...about 50-60%% of the way done. Yes I still remember you may base your next turntable purchase based on my humble sound quality shoot-out between the P3 and StudioDeck :-D..... Enjoy your MP-150 and Mani in the meantime i am sure you are! Warmest Regards my friend :-D
Now i'm curious, i won't miss part 2.
Dear Buddy with the Eroica LX!!!!! Thank you for your friendship and yes hope you are running as usual smoothly on your white P3 with Neo PSU and upgraded subplatter!!!!!! Hope you are still keeping your vintage Eroica L with that silver body you so loved!!! :-D Thank you for catching up Brother!!! Hope you are having a lovely Sunday restful evening.... thank you for your kind time yet again.
Thanks, Ian. Yes, i still have the Eroica L with silver body, but i almost never use it, the cantilever suspension is in bad shape, so i only use the black Eroica Lx.
I keep the 1993 silver Eroica just for sentimental reasons, ah ah.
BTW, my P3 is black, Jeff was the one with a white P3.
See you!
Hey Ian- How’s the review coming on the new StudioDeck? I wake up every morning hoping to see your new review uploaded on the Tube. I now realize how much time and effort goes into your thorough reviews.
You’ve created quite the following and many of us are looking forward to your MoFi review. I honestly feel you’re one of the “most trusted” reviewers out there, including all of the stereo hi-fi mag reviewers! You’re the best and keep up the GREAT WORK, my friend!!!
keeferdog Dear Buddy👋😄thank you so much for your kindness and understanding!!! Yes a lot of work indeed😄...but it is very useful to all of you my friends and that is why i continue to do it week after week. Love you guys and vinyl buddies!!!!
I may be able to complete the video in another 8days' time. The video shoots and editing is taking a bit more time...but necessary so that viewers and friends get to benefit from graphics and visuals more easily. I'm working hard on it, even now as i speak...i know you know😄🎵!!!
HiViNyws channel Awesome Ian! Looking forward to it! Down the road, will you get a chance to demo the MoFi phono stage and/or the UltraDeck and higher end MoFi carts? I’m now, also considering the EAT C Major tt in my search for a good tt.
Take care and hope is all well with you and your beautiful family!
keeferdog Dear Buddy yes of course!such yummy kit!!👋😄heehehee...MoFi phonos... Ultradeck may be a stretch. But brother, sorry i would recommend you avoid the eat. I would recommend the MoFi SD or UD, or Rega P3 or P6. I am not saying the results as yet😄...but i can say for sure, and point you to the UD, SD, P6 and P3. MoFi's and Rega's tonearms and motors and general construction according to design philosophies geared towards top sound quality are worthy and respectable. Have fun Brother, get ready your wallet then✌😄✌🎵🎶🎶!! Update me anytime Brother!
HiViNyws channel Hello Ian- You mentioned to avoid EAT turntables. I value and trust your opinions. Can you elaborate on your experience with EAT tt’s. My local dealer is really pushing me towards the EAT. Thanks again, my friend!
keeferdog Rega and MoFi have in-house R&D, discernible tonearm quality, better motors. Just to name a few😉. More sensitive information heard by my retailers when eat and project management talked to them. I shall not say over the net.
Nice - so far everything looks good - a table I am very interested in seeing reviews for. The leveling feet look really good.
Oooh dear Buddy Kris!!! Glad you are really playing your latest dollar acquisitions and enjoying them!!! Hehheh... none of them sounded "dirty" with pops/ticks at all! :-D Well done :-D!!!
Another fantastic video and I look forward to the sequel (insert your lightsaber sounds here ;)
Lee Stevenson Hi Buddy Lee👋😄!!! Yummy indeed this shoot-out for me too!!!.. really exciting to do. Thank you for your kind time catching up!!! Warmest Regards 🌞🎵🎶!!
(I will ready the video by this weekend)
Looking froward to the review, my current Ariston qdeck from the late 80s has a rather noisy motor and it's time for an upgrade.
Mark Sanderson Dear Buddy Mark! Great to see you again👋😄!!!
I'll continue to do my best for this...70% done with the auditions and certain interesting points i need to add into the whole narrative and reporting. I thank you for your time, patience and friendship✌😄✌🎵🎶🎶 See you Buddy.
A fun video to watch. Waiting to see how this TT stands up to a Rega P3 or even a P6.
Buddy and hope you have your desired MP-500 soon!!!! I am sure, you will!!!!!!! What deck do you have my friend?
Hello My Friend! Right now I have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with MP110 cart. I am looking to upgrade my Turntable also. I was looking at a Rega P3, P6 and the Mofi StudioDeck. So many Turntables to choose from, just not sure which to buy.
Have fun :-D HAVE FUN!!!!!!! Thank you for getting back dear Buddy!!!
Oh God, I'm dying to find out how the comparison goes ;) Thanks Ian
Excellent video vinyl bro! Really enjoyed it! Great seeing a classy company create a TT for the working man. I am really looking forward to your review on its performance. Would be good to see it give some serious competition to Pro-ject and Rega.
Dear Buddy :-D... send my regards to your dad in Tulsa!!! Magnepan 3.7is!! How is your Salk? Focal? :-D oooooooh!!!! excited for you!!
Your rabbits are growing up nicely i believe with Zoey!!
My Dad absolutely loves his 3.7i. It is a great match for his Musical Fidelity KW500 (with Nuvista tubes). It has the sound he has always wanted. I am going to drive to Tulsa Oklahoma to hear them in less than two weeks. I heard a pair of Salk Song 3A at a Salk customer's house about 2 hours away here in Nebraska. This customer, Jeff, was a very nice guy and very accommodating. Some of most beautiful speakers I have ever seen. Sound is very refined with highs being incredibly transparent yet smooth with no fatigue. Worth every penny IMO. Unfortunately he did not have a turntable in his set up so I did not get to hear my full demo rotation. Just a few CDs on a entry level Oppo blueray player. He plans to get a TT and I told him to make sure he gets Schiit Mani and not just rely on the stage in his Parasound Halo preamp. His system will really take off when he does that. It took him 6 months to get his Salk speakers so demand must be very high. Not sure if I want to wait if it takes that long. I am considering an in home audition of a pair of Spatial M3 Triode Masters. Still thinking through it all. The Magnepan 1.7i and Focals are still in the running. Unfortunately I do not have a way to audition Audio Note speakers as I have always found those interesting. As much fun as I have had looking for speakers I will be glad when it is done in about 3 weeks.
Dear Buddy :-D :wowwwww!!! so many things going on.. all nice things!! :-D best regards to your father and you! A father-and-son pairing of Vinyl-Audiophiles!!! Oooh... six months for the Salk Song 3A? WOW MUST BE high demand! inferring great stupendous sound!! Okie... Spatial in your house soon... oh yummy times!!! I am with you spiritually!!!! :-D . I am imagining being with you listening to them and shifting them about!
Thank you ian for the video.i appreciate all of your work.l am very glad to now you better from your great videos.i believe you are passionate with the things you are doiing for your family,vinyls,the community and the music.forgive for my english i am trying to comunicate and tell you all the good thing i believe for you.l am waiting for the historical battle among dark side and jedi
Dear Buddy :-D ... thank you for your kind and warm message! I cherish it very, very much. I wish for you a lovely family and vinyl analogue sound always permeating your home :-D !... Best Regards my friend!! See you again, anytime!
Another fantastic video, Ian! Very curious to hear your thoughts on sound and how it compares to the Rega in the next video.
From experience I have to say the build quality from MoFi is exceptional. I have the UltraDeck, and from unboxing (it is packaged identically to the StudioDeck, easily the best packaging I've ever seen for a turntable) to setup I was blown away by the attention to detail and the overal fit-and-finish. One interesting note (to me, anyhow): the cue lever is identical to that of the VPI Scout 1.1. The tonearm clip is also straight from VPI - whether modeled after it or sourced from the same place I have no idea. I was happy to see this similarity as the Scout had been my first love but I struggled at perfect cartridge setup with the subtlety of the unipivot tonearm, and eventually gave up and sold it, but never found one I liked as much until now. The RCA jacks and ground screw are also of VPI-like quality. But the main components - arm, plinth, platter - are exceptional and as good as anything I've encountered. I had purchased a Rega Planar 3 prior to this, and was so frustrated with it (just search for Rega 'hum' issues sometime - and I tried everything) that I returned it. The StudioDeck sits as a quiet alternative to a P3, and after asking a bunch of questions and reading the reviews online I got the UltraDeck instead - from experience knowing that I'd have regretted not getting the larger platter and slightly better plinth and tonearm if I hadn't. Time to sell off some components to pay the bill!
We weren't very happy about it but we have the real thing for 900 USD :)
Ok, I changed my mind, favorite line at 9:15 - “with the dust cover closed reminds me of Darth Vadar”
Hehheh😁👋😄great to see you again Buddy!!!
Great material. Keep up the good work. I would love to see a review for McIntosh MT2 precision turntable
Dear Buddy!!! :-D thank you for catching up!! I hope you are doing well!! WOW the MT2!! Expensive :-D!!! Solid built. Made by ClearAudio. Buddy you are considering it? :-D yummy times for you!
Yes I am tempted to get it although like you said it's been engineered by clearaudio which makes me think maybe a CA is the best choice for less money
another great review. Thank you!!!!!
Thank you Buddy Ken for catching up!!! :-D The sound quality one will be coming up next and i am pretty excited halfway running the auditions now!... see you soon my friend! Warmest Regards to you and your family and ring of vinyl playing brudders!!
I'm not even in the market for a turntable, not in the least, but I'm totally impatient waiting for part 2...
Dear Buddy :-D hope you've gotten your apartment early!!! :-D And of course great Mexican food in your recent dinners!!!!
Hahah... your message shows that: you're an audio geek like me :-D!!!!!
Hi five!!
Yes, we've moved into our new apartment and I've started my new job in San Francisco! We live in a coastal city called Pacifica. We're only 1 mile from the ocean! I commute into San Francisco to work everyday. A lot of people walk their dogs in the city and I've seen a lot of them that look like Moko-chan!
Ian, great unboxing and design analysis-- this one seems to get all of the details right. BTW, even before Allen Perkins started using acetal (Delrin) platters to better couple the LP to the table, this was a Goldmund trick, (credit where credit is due.) Goldmund tables were sprung however, and secured to the stand or floor with non-compliant spikes. I'll be interested to hear how you think the HRS - designed feet may influence the sound of this table, if at all. Thanks again!
Dear Buddy :-D . ...wow!! your knowledge about Goldmund's pioneering with Delrin!!! Thank you for adding to all our knowledge...for the better!!! Indeed, credit where it is due. Thank you Goldmund from Switzerland! Thank you for your time again and for catching up on a weekend. See you soon Buddy!! I wonder what are your vinyl front-end components! Must be yummy!!! Let me know... i am all ears! ~ ian
you look so happy with that turntable. i would be too, but the price tag is well out of my range. and looks like you have the Naga MP500 cart. so that should sound as close to the original studio moment.
Great review, Liked & Subscribed!
Really well done (again), Ian - may the better table win. ... Can a TT look well made & a bit too bare bones at the same time? This one does to me and now that I know how much this retails for - ouch! indeed & am in agreement with Vintage Vinyl Vets. ... Small request: Can you drop in a short summary how the MoFi fared against your Technics SL-1200/10 (don't know which MK versions you have)? Thank you & best wishes ~ Josh
Dear Buddy Josh, I'd really miss you on your Tokyo Nov 8th - 16th trip... as my in-laws in Japan are having in early October, their traditional memorial service after one year of my father-in-law's passing. I will be travelling there with my wife and sons. Let me get you a gift... and send it to you in Germany :-D !! You and your super SL1210 :-D :-D :-D
Dear Ian, I completely understand. No need to get me a gift though. Yes, I love my upgraded SL-1210 MK2 (cardas TA wiring, KABUsa oil damper). I'm sure there are plenty better ones out there but very few candidates at the price I paid (400 Euros + same for upgrades) and none offering so many upgrade possibilities. ... BTW, I will spend some time in SIN after Feb 12 '19.
Ouch? It costs $999. That's cheap for a table this nice. Bare bones? It does everything a turntable is supposed to do, plus a couple of things. The Rega does not offer VTA adjustment, has non-leveling feet, does not include a dust cover, and costs only $55 less. It seems to me that the Rega is far more bare bones while the MoFi offers high value.
I quoted another poster here on the comment section as I had indicated. If the price was wrong, I apologize.
wow ian.. long time since I checked out your vids. and this one seems very interesting since I own a couple of mofi LPs.. :)))
Dear Buddy, enjoying our common MP-110!!! :-D I hope you are getting it on very well with your Rega!!! MoFi records on MoFi turntable... :-D i am still excitedly conducting the auditioning now...50% of the way done now... Brother, best regards and see you again!
wow.. thank you for still remembering me. yes im still rediscovering my music all over again with the mp110 + mani. thanks again for your amazing effort in the sound tests. im also sourcing for a sl1200 but hving some difficulty getting the 100v step down trans. so far ive only seen 110v.. hehehe.. will look forward to yr audition of this mofi deck. im sure its gonna be grrrreeeeaaaaat :) take care bro ian.
Very nice TT Ian, I like to play my records with the dust cover completely off! It assures that there is no resonance! Enjoy my friend, sorry it took so long to get to your great video!
Dear Buddy George!!! Thank you for your catching up!!! :-D Yes indeed...off goes the lid, off goes the extraneous resonance :-D ... brother, you are early to get to this video... don't say you are late.... :-D I am really glad to see you :-D
HiViNyws channel 😃😎
I really enjoy your reviews. Would be nice to get some reviews of old Turntables from Sansui for example. I have a Sansui SR 525 and would really like to know how it compares to others...
Hi Ian! Glad you're doing this review. I recently demoed the MoFi UltraDeck w/ MoFi UltraTracker cartridge. I came away very impressed with both its build and sound quality. In fact I liked it more than the Rega P6 with Ania cartridge in both build and sound. It's a very good value. I'll be interested to know what your thoughts are with the StudioDeck vs. the Rega P3. Darth Vader? Yes, I and the guys at the store also called it the same. lol. I guess that would leave me to talk about my only complaints about it. It's bigger than the other decks in its price range and not the most attractive. Although being solidly built, using good materials and looking well engineered makes up for the lack of beauty.
Buddy :-D ENjoy your new Acoustic Signature PRIMUS turntable!!!! TA-500 tonearm?
:-D You must be excited and itching to play your vinyl records every day you come home!!!!
Using miniature Edison cylinder sleeves to store the tools was a nice touch by Mofi.
The condition of that Project has me worried though, I’ve had mine for a year and a half....
Dear Buddy :-D hi!!!! How are you :-D ?
Ah, miniature Edison cylinder sleeves!!! Why didn't i realize it? THANK YOU BROTHER!!! You're sharp my friend!!!
Enjoy your Merc, MP110 and Mani!!!!! As long as your ProJect holds up, then it is okay! Mine was kept in a clean, cool, dry storage, with dessicants, in original boxing and stored nicely, but late last year (after 6months of purchase) i realized the edges have opened up. Never mind, enjoy yours my friend!!!! :-D
Thank you Ian for the great video. Very impressed by the MOFI StudioDeck and can't wait for your shoot out comparison. Do you plan to made a comparison with your Technics SL1200 too?
Thank you too my friend for your time catching up :-D!... yes it would be nice to test it out with my SL1200Mk5 and Mk2... indeed!!! Thank you for suggesting it!!! Best Regards to you Brother!
HiViNyws channel ..Great to hear that .. really looking forward
You heavily influenced me to order the Studiodeck with the Ultratracker cartridge and MoFi CRYO phono amp. I’m hoping it’s a winning combo!
Owh my Dearest Ian. I was planning to get the Rega until I saw this video. Now I am halting my purchase. I have the Technics MK3 but feel like it's time to have a different turrntable. And frankly I am not fond of the Technics aesthetics. I am wondering if the MoFi StudioDeck is more comparable to the P6 rather than the P3. I will wait for your head to head results! Thanks for part 1
Dear Brother!!! Yes, :-D i am excited indeed to go through the current ongoing auditions and the shoot-out work between the two decks :-D!!! So exciting!! 80% of the auditioning done... some more work to do.
Thank you for catching up after your last message at the "P1vsDebutCarbonvsPSHX500" video :-D!!! Great to see you Buddy!!!
Hope you are starting a nice weekend!! ~ ian
Hi Ian
Very good work... as always. Very detailed !!!
I did not see the earth cable. Is not provided or does not exist ?
Dear Buddy from Athens :-D thank you for catching up again!!! Ah yes! It is provided as the earth cable is joined together with the red & white RCA phonocable... Thank you always....and best regards to you!!! ~ ian.
Glad to see you doing this one Ian. Will you also be checking out the MoFi cartridges? I’d be interested to see how they stack up against to Nagaoka carts, especially on the MoFi tables vs other tables.
Dear Buddy Willie!!! Hi :-D and great to see you again!!! Hope you are doing very well!!!!! Wonder what deck you are running now? :-D
HiViNyws channel Still a UTurn, but have plans to do some demos in about a week. We'll see what makes it home!
Dear Buddy :-D U-Turn is good for the NA market.. U.S. and Canada vinyl buddies have it good. Enjoy!!!!
Today marks 1 full week with my new MoFi Ultradeck. It beat out the P6 and 1200GR, but it was very close. Extremely pleased with this table, but still curious to hear your thoughts on the StudioDeck, especially when it's paired with the Nagaoka and any others carts you try.
Greetings Ian!
How are you my friend? I hope you and your family are doing well. Once again another fantastic video...I really enjoyed watching the unboxing and your thoughts on this MOFi turntable. I never knew MOFi made turntables! ! I learned something new. I'm looking forward to seeing part 2 and your opinion on how this performs. I'm curious what cart is bring used on the MOFi?
Take care,
Mark Anthony K
Projekt Gemineye
Dearest Buddy... hope you are doing well, with memories well cherished and vivid with late father. Good and kind son he has. My thoughts are with you Brother Mark :-D.
Buddy....the cart used in testing are the Nagaoka MP-150, Goldring 1006, and the MP-200.... hope to see your third new album!!!! I am enjoying your DAYS!!!!!!
I am in thel market for a new table. I am considering the MoFi, the SL-1200, and the VPI. I am looking for opinions. I know the costs are different. But the lower cost table could then be fitted with a more expensive cart or upgrade to preamp. So lower price table may be best. On the other hand the table I am replacing is 20 yrs old. So I expect this new table to last much longer than the cart or preamp. I currently use a Basis 1200 with Rega 250 arm, rewired.
Craig Chandler Buddy👋😄hi!!!! And yes...exciting for you! By the way, do you mean SL1200GR, used SL1200Mk3/4/5? and VPI Cliffwood? Or Prime Scout?
My budget has some flex. I am considering the SL1200G and GR, VPI Prime Scout, and MoFi UltaDeck. It is so difficult to decide, is the G really worth twice the GR? A part of me thinks I would get more out of cart options. If the table is stable, speed consistent, isolated, and materials non-resonant is a magnesium arm worth twice the price for example? Good problems to have...LOL. Great video, I love your stuff and look forward to your reviews. Enjoying the hobby. I am 50 yrs old and I have never lost my love of vinyl. I have always been a fan and an audiophile. I have stayed with it through the ups and downs and am so excited to see it on a major upswing.
Congrats Ian on your new TT. I can't wait to see part II. From your original cartridge instructions videos, since your testing of many different cartridges. Any new insights you can share? Are you using your Fozgometer on every install?
Dear Buddy Gene :-D . great to see you again!!! Yes, I use my Fozgometer on every cartridge set-up to ensure readings are correct and balanced :-D...also using the digital microscope to ensure the Stylus Rake Angle too. Thank you for your catching up my friend!!! How are you? Must be enjoying your Wilson Benesch ACT50 tonearm too!!!!
HiViNyws channel you
LOL 😂😂😂 You remember. Doing fine Ian . I enjoy tubes..I added a McIntosh C2600 pre amp and a pair MC75 mono blocks recently. I really enjoy your cartridges comparison, keep up the good job.
Lately I have been thinking of switching to SME IV or V, but unsure what cartridge to match it with. Any recommendations?
Ohhhh my goodness!!! McIntosh C2600 and a pair of MC75 monoblocks? :-D HEAVEN!!!!!!!
I am having lovely transcendental sound with my humble xx2mk2 on my sme v arm for the past three years... so good it was, I bought the second xx2mk2 two years ago again and my third one (on standby purposes a year ago). Really love them... recommended to me by another friend four years ago :-D...
ENJOY bliss listening and looking at your McIntoshes..............
Great review! I'm thinking of getting this turntable. Question? How do you play 45s? Does it have an adapter for the record? Thanks!
Hi my friend😁!!!...yes it is a very well conceived and good deck. Regarding the 45 adapter, one would need to purchase one separately as MoFi doesn't include one within the box.
Warmest Regards Buddy 🎶🎵🎶🎶Nd have fun!
@@HiViNywschannel Thanks for the info!! :)
We love this turntable so far BUT, at $1,999-OUCH. It’s just not a realistic purchase for most unfortunately. Keep up the great work, your knowledge and passion are second to none.🎧
Ah Buddy :-D ... this turntable without cart is about US$990. It is a direct comparison to the P3. Likewise in Singapore (my home country), the P3 and StudioDeck costs about the same at S$1650... :-D would be quite a battle. Thank you Sir for catching up again!!!!! Hope you and your band of vinyl playing brothers are singing and spinning along well!!
The Studio Deck is 1200 with cartridge, not 1999.
Hi Ian,
Great video as always, what a massive edit job again! Respect!
I have a studio and a ultradeck, in the studiodeck a nagoka mp200 is mounted with the feickert protractor and adjust + for azimuth.
When i calculate resonance freq i get a 5hz figure with the supplied 35 gram armweight from mofi, when i measure in adjust+ i get a 9 hz. The weight given from mofi must be off i guess, how do you stand in this point?
Eternal thanx for the like, i still am very curious about your opinon on the question :)
Sorry my friend for my six-days' late reply!! Dear Nijman, yes :-D ... regarding the subject on Tonearm-Cartridge matching:
Most important points, most important factors are…. SO MANY!!! The cartridge engine, internal wiring, shielding, magnetic flux densities, control, wiring angles, wiring workmanship, and the tonearm tube material, shaping externally and internally, wiring, bearing quality.
Here i present:If calculated compliance deducing tonearm-cartridge matching is so important, why is it that the same cartridge can sound SO DIFFERENT with different tonearms with the same gimballed/unipivot design and same tonearm effective masses? IT IS because different tonearms have different qualities of build, different materials, different tapering designs that can reduce hugely tonearm resonances (outcome totally different from our grossly calculated Rf), different shielding, different manufacturing repeatability and integrity, different tonearm base wiring quality, connection and workmanship, THAT ALL affects the cartridge’s performance :-DWe elucidate more:A) the SAME TONEARM playing TWO DIFFERENT cartridges can sound so different despite both cartridges having the same compliance figures! ProJect fans say that Ortofon cartridges have compliances figures that match their low-effective-mass-ProJect-tonearms rather than Technics SL1200 tonearms. BUT THE TRUTH is here: how come the $100 Ortofon 2M Red, which is supposedly a much better cartridge than the ubiquitously distributed and heavily mass-produced $30 AT-3600 series cartridge, actually sounds SO bad when matched with the ProJect Debut Carbon (9g tonearm), so much worse, than a $30 AT-3600 cartridge installed on the Rega Planar 1?
B) AND also, the 2M Red on the Technics SL1200Mk2/3/5 (medium-high mass tonearm) sounds so much better THAN the AT-3600, AT-95e WITH the Technics SL1200Mk2/3/5! The 2M Red also sounds better installed on a P1 than installed on the ProJect Debut Carbon. Compliance matching is but a small factor amongst SO MANY HUGE DECISIVE FACTORS. Compliance is but a small matter in the overall performance of a cartridge. Let us say that a cartridge is matched very well with a tonearm to effect in a Resonant Frequency of 9-11Hz, but yet the tonearm bearings are poor:- case 1: rough (not smooth) action of tonearm, resulting in compliance issues being thrown out of the window, as a tonearm with unsmooth action, is likened to a heavy ponderous tonearm with "high effective mass",
- case 2: poor bearings tolerance that result in FREE PLAY, and that EQUALS TO SLIPPAGE of the stylus (during actual music play) in 10-20microns across and within the groove modulations, which again, THROW compliance matching out of the window!!!!, and such free play and slippage results in loss of fidelity and is MUCH worse than any compliance (calculated) mismatch issues.
My friends and I, have all the thesis and papers from magazines discussing compliance but we all threw them away in the end. They proved to be not worth exploring and calculating to the extremes like a religion.
There are many more huge, factors involved in the sound quality of the system :-D…and slippage/freeplay of the tonearm bearings during actual music play will throw all the calculated figures out of the window.
:-D As you would already know in your journey, we will be wiser, and always eventually be, using our ears always eventually, yay!!!Warmest Regards Buddy :-D and a Merry Christmas and Peaceful and Joyous 2019 to you and your family!!!~ ian
Wow, I can’t believe the state of that Pro-Ject Debut! I have owned a couple of Pro-Ject decks and whilst they weren’t up to the same build standards as a Rega, they weren’t that bad. I’d want that plinth replaced.
The cueing mechanism may actually be a Rega part on the MoFi deck, I know the lever is different but the actual hydraulic cylinder looks very similar, Rega supply other manufacturers with cueing mechanisms, Linn included because it’s about the best part available.
Dear Buddy :-D with your TWO P5s and RB700 arm!! True....your good knowledge and experience is likely true here regarding Rega possibly supplying the hydraulic cylinder to MoFi/..... but i have no intel on that so far :-D....hahaha... Rega's cue lever system ranks as one of the best...regardless of price of the turntable on the market :-D! Warmest Regards my brother!!!!!
I purchased the MOFI UltraDeck+ with Ultra Tracker cart this past summer for my B-day. After much research, I was sure I'd made the correct decision and purchased my last TT for quite some time. As it were, I returned the MOFI UltraDeck the very next day. Might have listened to 5 songs before repackaging it. Poor fit and finish was the first thing I noticed. There is a plastic plate mounted to the bottom of the base/plinth which has sharp corners that protrude slightly beyond the corner of the plinth that can catch on skin or clothes and literally snap off under enough force. I discovered theses sharp edges with my palms upon taking the table out of the packaging. The bolt pattern used to secure this plate to the plinth left drooping gaps of about 1/8" between bolted locations, indicating that the material used here is not as rigid/stable as required, or that not enough fasteners were used. The next issue was RF noise that I could not quell regardless of which preamp or interconnects I used. This was not a problem in my system before the addition of the MOFI. Then there was a chatter/squeal created by the drive belt in the pulley upon startup. Wasn't 100% consistent, but fairly repeatable. Finally, I was completely underwhelmed with the sound of the Ultra Tracker cart. It was the typical scooped out mids sound I can find from so many budget MM carts. Sure, I could have allowed it to "break in" over time in the hopes of improved sound, but I was not willing to risk that at $2200. I wanted so much to LOVE the MOFI table (mostly due to its "Made in the USA" status) and I just simply could not. In my opinion, you can get much more table for the money. Now, the MOFI Studio version may be an entirely different beast, but I'm too gun shy to entertain it. FWIW, I returned the MOFI for a P6 Ania and am very satisfied.
Dear Buddy :-D I am very happy to hear your personal experience and relayed them to all of us. UltraDeck vs P6. Thank you for letting us know!!!!
Warmest Regards and may you, your family AND your vinyl-playing friends have a joyous and lovely 2019 :-D !!!~
Hello Ian,
I discovered your videos just a couple weeks ago, and now I can't get enough of them. You do an amazing job of presenting real-world technical information in a creative interesting manner!
I have a request: There are many of us Bang & Olufsen users out there who have used nothing but B&O for decades. Much of my record collection is up to 40+ years old and these lp's are still perfect. They are perfect because of the care they receive and, I believe, because of B&O's extremely low-mass cartridge design. I have been very happy with the sound from my B&O tx2 with mmc3 cartridge as well.
There are many people like me who are happy with our B&O's, but curious about "the other side".
Have you ever considered doing a compare between an older B&O and a modern turntable like the Rega Planer 1 or 3?
I think it would be eye-opening (or ear-opening) for many of us.
Thank you for all of your efforts!!
Mark
Dear Buddy Mark :-D, thank you so much for coming by and catching up!!!and writing to me with your experience, stories and opinions!!! Wow we are on "different sides" but we still come together in friendliness of course in this vinyl ecosphere!!! Cool to chat with you B&O user :-D !!!!
Brother, I may not be able to get a B&O deck in good enough optimum condition, and as such, I apologize for not planning to get one for testing and comparisons...
:-D AN ear-opening experience it would make, but I apologize.
I love it when I hear you are keeping much of your record collection for the next generations!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE!!!
Warmest Regards my friend!!!
@@HiViNywschannel Hello my friend. Thank you for your reply and for considering my suggestion. I understand that due to the age of the remaining B&O turntables, it would indeed be difficult to obtain a reference quality test specimen.
Oh well, I'll just have to "take the plunge" some day and hear for myself. As old as my ears are, I may never hear a difference 🙉.
Keep up the great work! I look forward to your excellent reviews!
Kind regards,
Mark
@@markwagner1997 You are forever young to me my friend.
Hello Ian,
With a red drive belt, the Mofi Studiodeck would look like Knight Rider (K2000). 😀
Buddy with your SOLID Pioneer PL50!!!! :-D ENJOY!!! Hahaha...i like your analogy with Knight Rider!!! Ahhh.... my childhood...... Kit2000!!!!
Would you recommend the Ortofon 2M Blue Ian? Thank you. Plus, thank you for the video, nice to see some quality turntables on the market now
Dear Buddy :-D hope you are doing very well in Germany.
Brother I would not recommend the 2M Blue, it sounds veiled. The cheaper MP-110 sounds better than it :-D way better.
Yes indeed, quality turntables are coming onto the market now!! We shall also await the soon-to-be launched Schiit Sol turntable.... :-D exciting times for us all and the industry is hotting up with competition. Warmest Regards Buddy!
Thank you for the response, and yes, I am doing well :)
Thanks for the review. What was the deck that had the finish flaking? Thanks!
Dear Buddy :-D great to see you again!!!!!
Buddy... it is my ProJect Debut Carbon DC deck.
Love Ian’s videos. Favorite line, “people like yummy unboxing videos”. Has anyone done any speed measurements? Do these run fast like Rega’s and/or can they or do they need hookup to a speed controller?
Dear Buddy, thank you for coming by🤗!! Because the Dr Feickert speed app didn't get upgraded to be compatible with the latest iOS, the iPhones belonging to my family members all can't work with the Dr Feickert speed app. I apologize that yes, I wasnt able to check the speed parameters for the MoFi StudioDeck, but although I can't give you the exact Wow and Flutter readings, it doesn't run faster like Rega decks...coz the time taken to complete one track on the StudioDeck is the same as a Technics SL1200G. Real time listening also allows me to predict low Wow and Flutter values for the StudioDeck. No awful pitch changes on a trailing piano note.
Warmest Regards Buddy 🎉🎶🎵🎶
Hi Ian! Hope all is going well with you, my friend! I can’t wait for the MoFi vs Rega shootout. I’ve got a pretty good idea who’s gonna win, and I’m rooting for them too.
I noticed that the tonearm on the MoFi deck is a VPI, or at least made by them. The Headshell obviously gives it away. Not that you ever would, because it would be unnecessary, but I wonder if it would be possible to upgrade the tonearm with a higher tier VPI one. Once again, I’d never do it, but I’m just curious. Can’t wait for that shootout, Ian! 😁🎼👍🏼
Dear Buddy with the MP-200!!..ahh... gosh you are right about the similarities of the VPI vs the tonearm found on the Studiodeck!!! Hehheh...i sure do not know which you are supporting here! :-D... mofi or rega? ... we shall see!! we shall see!!.. thank you for catching up yet again my dear buddy!!
May all be well with you and your family too!!
Hi Ian! I’ll give you a clue. Let’s just say I’m in favor of the one that starts with the letter “M”. Haha!
So U-Turn Orbit x2?
Dear Buddy :-D ahh.....lovely! the Orbit version 2!!! Thank you for coming by and chatting up with me!!! Your suggestion of me testing out the Orbit v2 is very helpful indeed! Unfortunately the Orbit is a deck that is restricted to 110V and U-Turn specifies a very specific step-down transformer with perfect 60Hz clocking mechanism for us living in 230V areas/countries. I apologize as the test of the Orbit V2 would not be as helpful to all the viewers. Though I understand that the V1 with its Grado Black1 IS good :-D!
Warmest Regards and have a lovely and joyous 2019!!~
@@HiViNywschannel To you as well :)
Good Work :)
Dinesh Chinthaka Thank you Buddy👋😄!!! Warmest Regards Buddy and see you again anytime!
May the tracking force be with you😊
Dear Buddy Bill :-D great to see you again!!! It has been some months...and thank you very much for finding time to catch up! :-D NICE ONE THERE : TRACKING *FORCE* !!! Yes Sir! I will do my best! Excitedly conducting the auditions currently, 70% of the way completed and i will complete the rest in the next few days.
Warmest Regards my friend! Hope this message finds you in good health, family togetherness and vinyl analog bliss!
~ ian
hi Ian, great video ! I have the studiodeck together with it's cartridge, the studio tracker, and a mani... I am very pleased with it ! do you have the studiotracker cart as well ? I was wondering how does the supplied cart compare to a let's say, mp110 or mp150 ? I consider purchasing the mp110 based on your review, and I am wondering if it is going to be an upgrade?
By the way, do you think putting a mat on the platter would change the sound ? I found the delrin platter to sound really good, but I find it producing a lot of static, and I am worried about scratching my LP's, putting them bare against the platter ... Can you share your opinion and findings on that ?
best regards and keep up the really good reviews :-) cheers from France !
Hi Ian, would you consider doing a review on the Yaqin MS23B RIAA Phono Preamp?
I am interested to hear your opinion on this turntable. Although I am still considering obtaining the Technics SL-1200GR with a Nagoaka cartridge. I do own a Project Debut Carbon turntable. I have owned it for four years now with the Ortofon 2M Red cart and have not seen any wear at all on the base. The only problem I have is some hum from the Debut Carbon motor, otherwise it is in good shape and sounds good.
Dear Buddy Tom, nice to see you again :-D!!! ah yes! the SL1200GR which you had told me you have been considering! Mmm....the MP200 with the GR and your existing Mani.... great!!!.. some friends have that combination too. Warmest Regards!!! See you my friend, anytime.
Hey Ian, What a great video to start my week with! The MoFi looks indeed very well made and you can clearly see the price difference in its appearance. Since I stopped using belt-drive turntables years ago, the yellow belt adds indeed nice touch to it. And the RCA terminal is really easy to reach (something that Technics did not solve that well in their new SL-line.). Now, the only thing I'd be really missing on these MoFi's was 78rpm. It will be interesting to see how well the MoFi can keep a steady playback spped.
And what a shame with the flaking of the Pro-Ject deck. Interestingly, I once started with a Pro-Ject myself years ago and was so disappointed with its cheap quality that I returned and bought my first Technics. Cheers, Norman
Yes, I would definitely be interested to see if the W/F figures are close to or better than the published specs.
Dear Buddy Norman from Germany!! :-D Enjoy your Technics SL1200G and MP-500! Yes the RCA terminals of the new line SL decks are so difficult to reach!!
Warmest Regards to you and your family in Germany, and thanks to dietchapstick's chatting up here too!
Looks a lovely deck, are the hinges made from plastic though. I would be worried that they will break over time. Great video as always Ian, looking forward to the review.
Dear Buddy with your Mani :-D great to see you again!!! How have you been?!
Gosh true... plastic hinges... i have reexamined it and found them to be relatively thick...but still.. you are right.... just depending on the flexion groove carved into the plastic may have some issues down the road !... I will keep a lookout my friend!!! Thank you so much for your time!! And Warmest Regards to you and your family always. ~ ian
HiViNyws channel. Hi Ian, I am well thanks. Still enjoying the Mani, although it's very hot at the moment in the UK, so making the most of the weather as it doesn't happen very often, therefore not a lot of time to listen to it. All the best to you and your family, kindest regards - Paul
Very neat video - much appreciated. But my money is on the Rega to win the shoot-out and carry off the plaudits.
Dear Buddy with the MP-110 and P3!!!!! Money on your Rega?!!! :-D I will be excited to know the outcome too? What is the colour of your P3?:-D
I'm betting on the MoFi dark side. It should sound great with that Nagaoka MP-200!
A beautiful sleek black finish. So nice that Roy Gandy might have done it himself !
Apologies for not updating you earlier. I now have a superb precision machined sub-platter upgrade from Fidelity Designs. You would not believe how easily, smoothly (and for how long) it spins !
My set-up gives me beautiful music, but the one thing I need to upgrade is the phono stage. Currently relying on the one built-in to the Onkyo Amp 9050. Hopefully I can report back to everyone in the coming weeks.
Best Wishes from Nottingham, England.
How do people feel about the VPI Scout? It's about the same price point as the MoFi
James Murphy I've been looking at the scout, but in my area it's about 2K without the cartridge. This comes in at $1200 complete with cover and cart
Hello! I wanted to thank you for these awesome videos! They are VERY informative! I had a question for you. I am new to vinyl, but I instantly fell in love. Being pretty young I cant afford the best of the best. I was planing on getting a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC) as my first table. I have heard outstanding reviews, basically that is the best for in that price range. I was wondering what you would recommend as a good preamp to go with it. I was hoping to keep the preamp under 200$ but I would be willing to pay a little more if it was worth it. If you have time, Id love to hear your opinion! Thanks!
Hi Buddy John💪😄, easy, get the Planar1 instead (avoid the Debut), and the Schiit Mani direct from www.schiit.com. I had made the direct comparison video review/shootout between the Rega Planar1, Sony PS-HX500 and the Pro-Ject DebutCarbon. You can watch that my friend😊✌
Please do yourself a favour:
P1+Mani.
💪💪💪💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
@@HiViNywschannel Thank you very much for your input and quick response! I watched your comparison video, and I noticed in this video the peeling on the finish of the Debut! I have been leaning more and more towards the Planar 1. My only concern is the anti skate. It seems that its not adjustable? So if I wanted to upgrade my cartridge I wouldn't be able to set the proper track force? Im sure the stock cartridge is fine, but I know myself very well. Eventually Ill want to upgrade! As for the Schiit Mani, ill be ordering one next week! Thanks again.
Hello Ian - been watching your videos for quite sometime now, but this is the first time I'm actually leaving a comment. Needless to say, I've found your videos to be very educational and entertaining, so I hope you'll keep them coming. I've been having issues with the anti-skate device on my StudioDeck. When it's attached, I get sound distortion and the MoFi StudioTracker skips or repeats certain parts of the record. When the anti-skate is off, the sound is perfect and the stylus doesn't skip/repeat. I've contacted MoFi, but none of their suggestions seems to have worked... yet. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Dear Buddy, i read and reread your message...thought and rethought about it... and to suggest anything may go to show that you haven't done enough yourself or that MoFi doesn't know what they are doing. I respect you both that you guys are both correct in your troubleshotting algorithms. ..thus i would say, it could be a cartridge issue. Reason: i have no issue with playing records with skipping, nor their antiskating mechanism.
I believe you have taken out and left the antiskating weight off while adjusting for the tracking force, i believe you have introduced the antiskating weight and string after the tracking force is fixed and the cartridge cantilever aligned parallel to the hashmarks on the protractor (without any influence of the antiskating weight pulling to one side abd thus tilting the cantilever a bit), etc. I thus think it i something that you cannot fix: the cartridge. 🤗I hope not too...but no other explanation possible at this juncture.
Warmest Regards Buddy.
Hi Vince, I see you’ve been in touch with our service manager regarding this issue. I’ll look over your correspondence and write you directly via email.
The same here, albeit to a lesser extent. Have the tab around the first notch, that goes well.
What can still be a problem is that the cord does not run smoothly through the holder. perhaps the holder is too narrow or the cord is frayed.
I would like to hear what Mofi had for solution.
Best Regard,
Mark
Outstanding review of the MOFI Studio deck! I heard this deck at Axpona 2019 in Chicago this past April and I was VERY impressed with how it retrieved information from the grooves. Totally quiet, smooth running turntable. It exudes a classy, sleek look. I don't think anything at or below $1000 USD can compete with this turntable, especially when you take design and build quality into account. Ian, I especially appreciate how you show small details in your videos, such as where to adjust the tonearm for each specific need, such as VTA. Again, super nice video content. You are one of my absolute favorite reviewers of gear. I can't wait to see you do a review comparing the MOFI Studio deck vs the MOFI Ultradeck! A++++ job, Ian!
Dearest Buddy Jeffrey!~ :-D thank YOU so much for coming by and catching up with me again after 9 months!!! I appreciate it my friend :-D !!!
How are you? I hope you are scoring well with 12o'clock on discogs :-D!!!
I hope it sounds half as good as a Spiral Groove TT.. 🙂 although that may be too much to ask.
Thank you Ian, nice video again👍
Obi Wan will beat Vader ...it simply has to 😃
Dear Buddy with your MP200 (replacing your Denon)!!! Yes, the Force is supposed to beat the Dark Side of the Force... but i realized...gosh...in Episode 5 which i watched many times since 1980 when i was 5 years old, Vader beat ObiWan.... argh..... :-D that is why i am willing to use this analogy in this video... coz there still wouldn't be that obvious who will win. Good vs bad? Or? it will pan out as in the storyline of Episode 4? sorry buddy...i am waffling :oD... Thank you for catching up my friend!!! See you soon!
~ ian.
HiViNyws channel Hahaha nooooo Obi Wan let Vader win! 😀
Hi Ian, great unboxing video :) i think the Rega P3 will win this battle. Have you ever tried the Marantz tt-15s1? Keep up the good work
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up!!! :-D it is a tussle i feel it is going to be!!! :-D very exciting ... running the careful auditions now :-D.... can't wait.. Buddy thank you for your time and friendship. Warmest Regards!! I apologize i have not had the experience playing with the Marantz TT-15s1 as yet. I hope to do so soon too. :-D See you Sir!
Dear Ian, I have played with the TT15S1 and though it is good, I am not so sure about it's price. In my humble opinion it is a little half hearted approach by clear audio in order to cut price for selling under Marantz Logo
Hi Ian, how would you compare this with the ultra deck?
Dear Brother, sorry... :-D i have not yet gotten hold of the UltraDeck, and thus, i cannot make any valuable and valid comments on this SD vs UD.
Thank you very much for asking too! And yes :-D when you have the chance to audition them at your dealer's place (make sure they use the same cartridge), let me know their differences :-D
Warmest Regards, and HAVE FUN!
~ ian.
@@HiViNywschannel thanks for the reply I just did it recently and their not using the same cart. Darn.. The UD was using ultra cart and SD using SD cart. BTW, in your other video with the P3 how did you ensure both these had the same 92 degree rake?
Do you need a slip mat for this turn table?