I went TT shopping

[blackraven]

I went TT shopping yesterday at the Needle Doctor here in Minneapolis yesterday. I looked at the MH MMF 7.1, MMF 5.1, Pro ject 5.1se, the new Rega RP-3, Clear Audio Concept and some lesser Pro-ject, Music Hall and Rega TT's. I am probably eventually going to buy the MMF 7.1 or MMF5.1se. I really like the Pro-ject 5.1se but they have no dust covers and with 2 dogs a cover is a must. I did not get to listen to them but based on bulid quality, features and reviews by the sales staff the MMF's may be the best fit. They really like the warmer sound of the Rega TT's but the MMF's have better isolation which is a must for my wood floors. The MMF's also have better detail and resolution. With proper preamp and cartridge matching I can get that warmer sound with the MMF's. They really like the pro-ject tube box IIse and the tube box II. For a cartridge, I am considering the Clear Audio Maestro and Virtuoso. They also recommended the Ortofon Rondo Red MC.

They were also pushing the out going Rega P5 which is closing out for $1K. I would be interested in it but it is so damn fugly. I have enough fugly gear with my retro AVA gear.

For any one interested in buying an entry level TT like the Rega P-1, skip it. It is pretty cheaply built. The platter is plastic and light weight, the sub platter is cheap as well. Go with the Pro-ject RPM 1.3 or the Music Hall MMF 2.2, both of which are much more solidly built with much heavier platters and sub platters. The Pro-ject is a lot of TT for the money with an isolated motor.

I also got to hear these $7K Mordaunt Short speakers and was not impressed in the least. There was no body or warmth to the midrange at all. They were not even in the same league as my Magnepan's.

Mordaunt-Short Performance 6 Floorstanding Speakers