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Review 2 of 3
Price Paid:
$299.00
from J & R Music World Summary:
This unit is essentially the same as the
Dual CS455 with the exception of the 78rpm
option and the base is squared a little
differently. Both units probably come out
of the same Dual/Thorens factory. Dual offers a "gold" model while Thorens does not. The tone arm is a light weight tube
with the removable Dual cartridge head. The Thorens uses a longer cartridge head than the Dual but both are inter-changable, provided the "set down" cam is adjusted through the hole on the top of the unit between the switches and the tone arm mount. The owner's manual is mute about any "set down" adjustment and my unit arrived with the OM10 cartridge requiring such adjustment. Fortunately, I previously owned a Dual CS455 and was familiar with this issue. The tonearm matches well with the Ortofon OM series and also the Audio Technica units which both work well on a lighter tonearm. It will play the heavier and bulkier cartridges like the Denon DL103 and the Grado Woods but does not seem to bring out the best in these units.
It is fairly quiet except for the usual noise of the automatic changer. Compared
to other units available in the same list price ($599.00)range, the Music Hall MMF5 is a better sounding turntable,(I own this also), but again, is not an auto- changer. It is clearly a step up from the new automatic units widely available on the net but not of the same quality as the older Duals or Thorens units. The motor is a DC 12 volt with an oversize converter plug. The suspension is stiff but overall, wow and rumble are not noticable and the figures are not published. I use this as a second
turntable because of the automatic shut off feature which my MMF5 does not have. Strengths:
Reasonably well built with dependable operation. Good sound with an upgraded and properly matched cartridge.
matched cartridge. Weaknesses:
Except for the automatic feature, does not
compete well with similar priced manual units. Not an audiophile unit. Similar Products Used:
Music Hall MMF5, Denon DP47F, Dual CS455,
various 1200 series Duals and a couple of
Panasonic Linear drive units.
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