Kamakiri
07-02-2003, 06:50 AM
This review brought to you by some generous AK members :)
Let me start off saying that I think first and foremost the reason that this turntable hasn't gained greater press is the lack of really good pictures. The pics I had seen in the past really didn't convey the quality with which this table is made....
To start off with, the plinth is constructed of two thick sheets of MDF, so it's pretty hefty. And, to my surprise, the platter is made of thick clear glass covered on top by felt, again giving it that nice quality feel. Anyone who knows my tastes knows that I don't like a piece of gear unless it looks and feels like a quality unit, no matter how it might sound, and this turntable definitely fits well into my system! This is something that you have to see in person to truly appreciate, as I had said the pictures that I'd seen don't really distinguish it from other black TTs on the market.
So, how does it sound? The measure of any improvement in anyone's audio system once a piece is put in place is to see what you hear differently, or discover sounds that you'd never heard before.
The difference with the MMF-5 is dramatic. It was nothing arbitrary, nothing that you had to listen for, it's almost like rediscovering the music that you'd known so well for so long, because all of a sudden, there were literally new instruments that appeared, new background vocals that surfaced, and a new depth to the sound. I actually got the chills when I was listening to George Benson, and somehow, the A7s projected voices in front of the speakers and the background seemed to be coming from the speakers themselves. Spooky in a way :D . Being newer to vinyl than many of you, I can't say how or why this is, but maybe this truly is the draw to the medium.
Granted my Technics SL-5300 wasn't top of the line, but I'd always considered it a good rock solid table, which it is. I've heard other tables as well, but nothing struck me as this one did.
So far I've listened to Grand Funk, Jethro Tull, The Doors, George Benson, and Spyro Gyra on it, trying to get a pretty eclectic mix to see what it could do, and it's been a startlingly impressive journey thus far.
Once again my deepest thanks to all that participated in this. Per chance would anyone want to donate some listening time to the cause? :D
Let me start off saying that I think first and foremost the reason that this turntable hasn't gained greater press is the lack of really good pictures. The pics I had seen in the past really didn't convey the quality with which this table is made....
To start off with, the plinth is constructed of two thick sheets of MDF, so it's pretty hefty. And, to my surprise, the platter is made of thick clear glass covered on top by felt, again giving it that nice quality feel. Anyone who knows my tastes knows that I don't like a piece of gear unless it looks and feels like a quality unit, no matter how it might sound, and this turntable definitely fits well into my system! This is something that you have to see in person to truly appreciate, as I had said the pictures that I'd seen don't really distinguish it from other black TTs on the market.
So, how does it sound? The measure of any improvement in anyone's audio system once a piece is put in place is to see what you hear differently, or discover sounds that you'd never heard before.
The difference with the MMF-5 is dramatic. It was nothing arbitrary, nothing that you had to listen for, it's almost like rediscovering the music that you'd known so well for so long, because all of a sudden, there were literally new instruments that appeared, new background vocals that surfaced, and a new depth to the sound. I actually got the chills when I was listening to George Benson, and somehow, the A7s projected voices in front of the speakers and the background seemed to be coming from the speakers themselves. Spooky in a way :D . Being newer to vinyl than many of you, I can't say how or why this is, but maybe this truly is the draw to the medium.
Granted my Technics SL-5300 wasn't top of the line, but I'd always considered it a good rock solid table, which it is. I've heard other tables as well, but nothing struck me as this one did.
So far I've listened to Grand Funk, Jethro Tull, The Doors, George Benson, and Spyro Gyra on it, trying to get a pretty eclectic mix to see what it could do, and it's been a startlingly impressive journey thus far.
Once again my deepest thanks to all that participated in this. Per chance would anyone want to donate some listening time to the cause? :D