I've been debating picking up a MMF-5 based on the v1 thread. I'm not sure I want a turntable at all though. Seems like its opening a whole can of worms that I'm not sure I want to open, especially after just spending $2500+ to finally resolve my cd storage problems.

Make a case for why I need a turntable. For example, what are some great albums that have never been released to cd. Neil Young "Comes A time" comes to mind. Give me more.

Hmmm if you need someone to make the case... then the answer is... dont buy one.

And I too thought "wow now I can have a lot of those great records that werent released to CD" which sounds good until you notice how much some of those records are going for..

Having said that.. if you have $500 spare - buy one (if you have more, I can recommend better TTs).

Listening to the records the way they were originally recorded sounds different (for me) - on a lot of the releases I have on CD, they sound quite different on LP

and if that isnt enough, it gives you another reason to spend more money on music


(ps. I havent forgotten about your CDs..they are sitting here on my desk... ) heh

The thrill of the hunt, my friend. It makes it all worthwhile when you run across a gym somewhere in between all of those herb alpert, foreigner and linda ronstadt albums.

Plus vinyl can be had for a lot cheaper than CDs...you just gotta be willing to go through the above to find it.

Hey man give those Tijuana Brass records a chance...

and on the 'a lot cheaper' note- it all depends on where you live.. there are certain locales where for the most part, you are only going to dig the stuff left over from the record shops... since they are first called when new stuff comes in...

I guess I (wrongly) assumed that a lot of all that stuff you buy was on vinyl...

hmmm, thats a little dissapointing, most soul and funk sounds better on vinyl to me anyways.

I'm not sure I need some one to make the case. As a music fan, my natural reaction is I need one. Its when I think about spending the cash that I question why I really want one and I'm not sure what the answer is.

Is it because certain records sound a lot better than their digital breathren? It seems like a good reason, but again in the abstract. If so, what are some primary examples. I've heard this said in reference to Exile on Main Street before.

Is it to gain access to a wide variety of stuff that have never been released before. Its a compelling argument in the abstract but what are some examples that aren't rediculously hard to find and terribly expensive. I've actually run into a couple albums by Our Daughter's Wedding that I really like (I know Billz is a fan too) but never picked them up because I don't own a turntable.

I don't disagree that the hunt or crate digging can be fun, but I'm not sure I want to become that guy that spends hours digging and buying random stuff because its cheap and has a cool cover, and then spends lots of time listening to stuff that I like less than the thousands of cds I already own.

I'm just asking for help making these good abstract reasons into good real reasons. Its a lot of coin to spend on a whim.

And paul, I've got most of your cds done too. I've actually had all but Ghana Soundz 2 done for months but have burned 4 copies of that one which have all come out flawed in one way or another (usually random large blank spaces between songs). I should just mail you the others and sub something out for that. PM me if you want something else.

1. it sounds way better, especially in the case of remastered albums, which are often remastered way too loud, which squashes the dynamic range of the album.

2. estate sales

3. big artwork

4. what else you gonna spend it on? I mean, if it's rainy day spending money, go for it, unless you've been thinking of getting into something else, or joining a gym, or buying some antique gyromatic watches, or buying a timeshare or something... i mean, why not? You love music. Unless that money is earmarked for bills, or other recreational pursuits, i say go for it. You can't take it with you.

5. Classical recordings and jazz, often crazy cheap, and sound better. Check local libraries for their annual sales. A good way to explore other genres on the cheap.

i am kind of with billyg on this one. it sounds pretty cool to get into this, but opening a whole can of worms that I probably just leave alone.

You're married and in law school, the boss would never let that fly.

Billyg, however, is footloose, fancy free, and one of the cool kids.

You can re-apply for the cool kids club when you're pulling down phat lawyer money. The application fee is a bitch, but you'll be rolling in it, it'll be almost painless.

Then you'll be allowed to buy a turntable.

cool. guess I am screwed for the next year then. but what about the wife buying 3 baby books, a thermometer, temperature charting software, and me finding that she has been looking at mymonthlycycles.com? where does this leave me?

Speaking of which, I finally finished my shopping for my wall devoted to album art:


[img][300:300]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000069CIN.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg[/img][img][300:300]http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/21/ed/0598024128a001aa98d32010.L.jpg[/img][img][300:300]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007Z9R8Y.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg[/img]
[img][300:300]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00016XMQM.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg[/img][img][300:300]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000002KIE.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg[/img]
[img][300:300]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000002MIF.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg[/img]


The smiths album has a large light blue border around it though and the gp doesn't have the japanese slipcard.

swallow the barrel and pull the trigger. remember to aim a little more towards the upper palate, you don't want to fuck this one up and live through it.

or if she ends up not being preggers, get that vasectomy. You'll thank me later. I'll loan you the cash if you're hard up, or you can trade me for legal advice in the future.

Leave out the Sex Pistols and you've got yourself a fine wall of album art.

looks hot in the big 12" format.

so does

I'm guess the answer is not 'out in the cold'.

Then I would suggest you do it this way- go out and see how much vinyl you buy now.. as if you had a TT .. then when you get enough where you say 'damn I wish I could listen to these' - then go out and buy a TT.


There are many cans of worms- I find I did buy a lot of BS simply because I found it on vinyl- then like you said, would go home and listen to it wondering why I didnt just listen to the hundreds of CDs I already owned.

Space- storing vinyl sucks and is heavy.. moving sucks

Upkeep- vinyl requires some TLC that CDs generally dont.

Warping/Scratching- nothing worse than buying something to go home and find out it is warped (listen to the stuff before you buy if you can)

Vinyl is trendy (at least in certain areas)- you end up spending same price as a CD.. which wouldnt be a bad thing except that the vinyl pops and cracks and they say "Thats why its so cheap"...

anyhow, YMMV - but I say, if you can hold off.. then do.. oh and funk/soul? good luck- shit is very expensive if you can find it. Too many 'hip' rich kids or middle age yuppies buying it up.

As for the burned CDs, Im not even sure what I am supposed to make for you - I have the traffic and one CD mix of the Volt/Stax..but I lost the track list for the second CD (before I burned it)...

so..how many do you have for me? if you only have 2 ..that works fine in a swap

Thanks paul. I've just got 2 to send you so pm your address and I'll get them in the mail. I'm in the process of moving so I'll give you an address for me in a week.

That's probably a good strategy for the tt. Although I'm also I should probably just keep monitoring ebay auctions trying to find a good deal on a MMF-5 cheap so I don't end up finding a record I want to hear right away so bad that I over pay for a TT.

It's just a side hobby for me. Digging through the stacks is my way of leaving work behind and not using my brain for an afternoon. I had a stack of records well before I had the TT, and I still tend to pick up things that I would almost never buy on cd.

It's more of a collecting thing than a music thing for me. I've bought a fair amount of records I remember listening to on Sunday afternoons with the old man. However, when I got a real nice copy of Exile on Main Street, it's definitely a nice afternoon of listening.

So what's a good price on a new MMF-5? I was outbid on one on ebay last night. It ended up going for $535 + shipping. My top bid was $525. I wasn't sure about going much higher.

I would say be glad you were outbid- seeing as you can buy it for $566 shipped from J&R Music and you know where it comes from.

ry local, they should discount it at least 10%...

Some questions that come to mind.

Why you are buying the 5 instead of the 2.1?

Do you have a suitable set-up? Does your amp/receiver have a phono line-in? (Most new models do not). If not, you will need a dedicated phono preamp.

My amp does have a phono line-in. I was looking for the 5 based on the positive comments in this thread including yours that it was a good affordable table. Are you saying you don't think its worth the extra $ to go from a 2.1 to a 5? Cause I'm happy to save the $ if its not.

and what's ry local?

sorry I meant "try local"... support your neighborhood retailer (if they can give you % off list:)) Im a douche, I will go in there and say, 'Look I know what I want, do you want to sell it to me?'

I was just wondering how 'hi-fi' you system was... Im just saying that the 2.1 is a fine table for the money.. and also check out the NAD 533 - both the 2.1 and NAD are good.. good needles, good arms...

If you arent going to be using it *that much* then either one of these is a sensible cheaper alternative.

buying records is fun.

as far as "comes a time"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... nce&n=5174

Thanks. And I wasn't trying to be an ass. I was originally thinking you were saying "buy local" but then thought your typing wouldn't likely be that far off so I was wondering if there actually was some store called ry local.

I look at all the cash I have invested in music sometimes and think I shouldn't skimp on the equipment itself. But in reality, my hearing isn't that great anymore from all the loud shows over the years and a pretty advanced case of surfer's ear. I'm not sure I'd really notice the difference and I should probably just go with the 2.1 or the NAD.

I'll keep looking.