The MMF-5 is back in action

[02audionoob]

For those who don't know...which I suppose might be everyone here except MC Chubby, my MMF-5 motor would eventually get hot after extended sessions and would whine. I thought perhaps it was something that could be resolved with oil or grease, but that never worked. Chubbs even sent me a penetrating lubricant to try, but no luck. So I call Roy Hall and ordered a new motor. Here's a photo essay of how I spent the morning...





















I'll post more when I get them uploaded.

[02audionoob]

OK...those last few were a bit gratuitous. Just getting in a little quality time with Ray Brown Trio and the Marantz.

[poppachubby]

Wow, nice work. Looks great. So no discernable wow/flutter or other issues? Did they send you instructions for installation?

[frenchmon]

Wonderful audio porn....do me a favor and measure the base of the hole where the arm screws into the base from left to right. If its the same as the base on mine, I can use an arm like the one on your MMF 5. The guy at Music Hall told me I would have to drill, but my table has a base like yours. On most of the MMF 2.1's that I saw the arm just sits on top of the base.

[02audionoob]

Wow, nice work. Looks great. So no discernable wow/flutter or other issues? Did they send you instructions for installation?

Absolutely...there were very good instructions. Too bad they were written in Czech

Kidding aside...no instructions, printed materials or accessories of any kind were included. The original work was covered up in solder globs the size of English peas. I didn't know until I got them desoldered whether there was a big loop, a small hole or even no hole on those tabs. There's certainly no wow/flutter differences...it's a really simple motor. To hold steady speed I think you just need a heavy platter - and 3 or 4 pounds of glass gets it done.

[02audionoob]

Wonderful audio porn....do me a favor and measure the base of the hole where the arm screws into the base from left to right. If its the same as the base on mine, I can use an arm like the one on your MMF 5. The guy at Music Hall told me I would have to drill, but my table has a base like yours. On most of the MMF 2.1's that I saw the arm just sits on top of the base.

At the edge where the tonearm base drops into the deck it's a diameter of 70 mm.

[frenchmon]

At the edge where the tonearm base drops into the deck it's a diameter of 70 mm.

Ok thanks.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Very nice job. How long did it take you? Love the platter on your table. Is that original?

[02audionoob]

Very nice job. How long did it take you? Love the platter on your table. Is that original?

I'd guess it must have taken about an hour. The hard part was the removal...especially the solder. That took twice as long as installing the motor. The solder was huge and I had trouble getting it wicked up.

That platter is indeed original. That's the one thing I like better about the 5 than the 5.1. Of course, with the 5.1 they upgraded the arm and changed from a 120V motor to a 16V motor (which allows use of the Speed Box), so the 5.1 definitely has its advantages.

[Jack in Wilmington]

I'd guess it must have taken about an hour. The hard part was the removal...especially the solder. That took twice as long as installing the motor. The solder was huge and I had trouble getting it wicked up.

That platter is indeed original. That's the one thing I like better about the 5 than the 5.1. Of course, with the 5.1 they upgraded the arm and changed from a 120V motor to a 16V motor (which allows use of the Speed Box), so the 5.1 definitely has its advantages.

Sometimes progress moves forward and they forget one of the really class features. I've seen some nice aluminum, acrylic and delrin platters. But yours is something else. Any recommendations on a nice mat for the platter? The thin felt one that came with the table always wants to stay on the back of the record when I go to flip it over. Thanks, Jack

[02audionoob]

Sometimes progress moves forward and they forget one of the really class features. I've seen some nice aluminum, acrylic and delrin platters. But yours is something else. Any recommendations on a nice mat for the platter? The thin felt one that came with the table always wants to stay on the back of the record when I go to flip it over. Thanks, Jack

I have found that my cleaning process seems to discharge the records, so I stay with the felt. When the mat sticks to one, I wet-clean it and vacuum it. That seems to solve the problem indefinitely for that record. If you like the felt style and continue to have static issues, you could get a carbon fiber mat at a place like this...

http://www.sleevetown.com/turntable-accessories.shtml

If you want something that affects the sound, presumably as an upgrade, you could try a Herbie's mat.

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/ttmat.htm

PS: As a crazy but cheap idea, I once cut a hole in the center of a Bounce dryer sheet and put it under the mat. I don't get enough static to really test how well that works, but it seems like a decent concept...however wacky it is. I didn't get any significant static afterward, but I didn't get much before...so who knows.

[poppachubby]

PS: As a crazy but cheap idea, I once cut a hole in the center of a Bounce dryer sheet and put it under the mat. I don't get enough static to really test how well that works, but it seems like a decent concept...however wacky it is. I didn't get any significant static afterward, but I didn't get much before...so who knows.

It also keeps your LPs smelling like a valley of flowers, or fresh spring breeze, whichever you prefer.

[frenchmon]

I just have to look at this thread every time I boot up the computer....noob your pictures are very addicting.

[02audionoob]

Then I should dig out this classic...




I like the way the Eroica cartridge looks on the MMF-5, in this oldie but goodie...

[poppachubby]

Yes the pics look super tasty. Where is the Marantz TT now?

[frenchmon]

Awesome... the Eroica cartridge just looks bold and dauntless...like its ready to track anything you throw at him. You still got the Rantz Deck? If you got a pic of it necked...cover off, post it. Those Rantzs are very nice looking.

frenchmon

[frenchmon]

Hey why dont every one who has a table post some pics....Poppa you game?

[02audionoob]

I couldn't justify having the Marantz 6300 with the MMF-5 sitting right there. It was only a matter of time. I should probably lie about this so no Marantz fans get teary-eyed but I parted out the 6300 on eBay. It had cosmetic problems and minor functional problems. I bought it for something like $74 (an auction with problems disclosed), got a few years use out it, and made probably $300 selling parts.

[poppachubby]

Hey no tears here. Ya I'm cool with that frenchie but most of my stuff is in the basement. I'll try some tommorrow if the sun is strong. Lighting is everything.

[poppachubby]

Well these are a couple kicking around, but I'll have to try harder to dethrone noob.

[02audionoob]

I like the chair shadows on the EICO. Very nice photo. Like you said...lighting is everything.

[poppachubby]

Are you posting Medium size? Those were large. I thought yours were too...

[02audionoob]

Many times I do medium, but in this thread I've been reducing my photos to 800 pixels wide before I upload.

[poppachubby]

Many times I do medium, but in this thread I've been reducing my photos to 800 pixels wide before I upload.

Ya I kind of figured they were custom. Great size, I'll have to try that.

[02audionoob]

SLR/flash photo of the Goldring 1042...