MoFi UltraDeck / StudioDeck Owners and those interested

One vote for the Ultratracker. I ran a 540 on my Studiodeck for a little bit, but I thought that was way too much arm for the 540, whole lotta mass in the Mofi arms. The Ultratracker, if I remember right, was much heavier. I took the 540 off fairly quick. The only way to describe what it sounded like for me was..."vague."

At the current pricing, seems like a great deal either way.

As for the GR, if you go that way, I think the 540 is a great fit there.
 
Elric of Melnibone said:
Just joined here after reading nearly all of this thread, think ive got the jist of highs and lows of the UD,

Looking to replace my AT120 in my main system with Rogue Sphinx V3 and Lintons, right now i think im narrowed down to the GR or the Ultradeck.

I need to keep my cost under $2000 (including tax) and i am leaning UD currently.

I have a AT VMN540ML on my AT120 with about 150 hours on it, so plenty of life left. Should i go for the UD without cart and swap my 540 over to it or go with the ultratracker? If i got the ultratracker, my 540 would go to my family room table (AT120 with 95e, about 175 hours on it) when the time is right.

Or do i go without a cart, swap 540 onto the UD and wait out its life and then go for a Hana or Soundsmith (most likely end of the year or beginning of 2025, holiday sales dependent).

My wife would definitely like to see me spending $1500 vs $1800 right now, especially if the ultratracker is good but that $300’extra will got further in the future.

I just dread having to put thr 540 on the UD, not the best at cartridge setup, just a pain in the ass.

Thanks all, glad to be here!
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With the current pricing I'd go UD over the GR, unless you intend on doing a lot of cart swapping, in which case the GR.

That said, the UltraTracker is a nice cart at the included price. But, if I HAD to spend $300 on a cart, it wouldn't be on the UT. If you have mileage on your AT, I'd ride it out and save for a better cart, the Hana SL is still one of my all time favorite carts and it sings on the UD ;)

Probably my favorite combo (UD/Hana) besides what I'm currently running. Good Luck :)
Hana_SL.jpg
 
Elric of Melnibone said:
Just joined here after reading nearly all of this thread, think ive got the jist of highs and lows of the UD,

Looking to replace my AT120 in my main system with Rogue Sphinx V3 and Lintons, right now i think im narrowed down to the GR or the Ultradeck.

I need to keep my cost under $2000 (including tax) and i am leaning UD currently.

I have a AT VMN540ML on my AT120 with about 150 hours on it, so plenty of life left. Should i go for the UD without cart and swap my 540 over to it or go with the ultratracker? If i got the ultratracker, my 540 would go to my family room table (AT120 with 95e, about 175 hours on it) when the time is right.

Or do i go without a cart, swap 540 onto the UD and wait out its life and then go for a Hana or Soundsmith (most likely end of the year or beginning of 2025, holiday sales dependent).

My wife would definitely like to see me spending $1500 vs $1800 right now, especially if the ultratracker is good but that $300’extra will got further in the future.

I just dread having to put thr 540 on the UD, not the best at cartridge setup, just a pain in the ass.

Thanks all, glad to be here!
Click to expand...
There's a really nice GR on Hoffman for $1100 with plinth and cables.
 
AnthonyI said:
With the current pricing I'd go UD over the GR, unless you intend on doing a lot of cart swapping, in which case the GR.

That said, the UltraTracker is a nice cart at the included price. But, if I HAD to spend $300 on a cart, it wouldn't be on the UT. If you have mileage on your AT, I'd ride it out and save for a better cart, the Hana SL is still one of my all time favorite carts and it sings on the UD ;)

Probably my favorite combo (UD/Hana) besides what I'm currently running. Good Luck :)
View attachment 201859
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You dont think id run into any compliance issues with the 540? Im not the best at all that stuff.

And yes a Hana ML or SL would be on my list!
 
Elric of Melnibone said:
You dont think id run into any compliance issues with the 540? Im not the best at all that stuff.

And yes a Hana ML or SL would be on my list!
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The VM540ML isn't ideal for the UltraDeck's tonearm, but it's not completely mismatched.

I kind of agree with Anthony, ride out the Audio Technica and then buy something better-matched down the road. You can do better than the UltraTracker.
 
kvetcha said:
The VM540ML isn't ideal for the UltraDeck's tonearm, but it's not completely mismatched.

I kind of agree with Anthony, ride out the Audio Technica and then buy something better-matched down the road. You can do better than the UltraTracker.
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As someone with an Ultratracker, I also agree with this. I don't hate the Ultratracker but it wouldn't be my first choice of cart. I still need to put @AnthonyI 's soundsmith on the TT when i get a chance...
 
kvetcha said:
The VM540ML isn't ideal for the UltraDeck's tonearm, but it's not completely mismatched.

I kind of agree with Anthony, ride out the Audio Technica and then buy something better-matched down the road. You can do better than the UltraTracker.
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As long as itll work haha trying to be better when it comes to matching/specs

Also, i think you have an SAE1000LT, i got one of those too in the Ebay deal. Do you know the stylus life on that thing? Mine has about 550 hours on it and then i pulled it, assuming its almost done.
 
Elric of Melnibone said:
As long as itll work haha trying to be better when it comes to matching/specs

Also, i think you have an SAE1000LT, i got one of those too in the Ebay deal. Do you know the stylus life on that thing? Mine has about 550 hours on it and then i pulled it, assuming its almost done.
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It's a shibata stylus, so assuming it's being used on clean records I think it should have a pretty long life. You should be able to get at least 1000 hours out of it before needing to retip.

It also sounds terrific on the UltraDeck. :)
 
Elric of Melnibone said:
You dont think id run into any compliance issues with the 540? Im not the best at all that stuff.

And yes a Hana ML or SL would be on my list!
Click to expand...
As mentioned, not ideal, but you're using it as a "filler" until you replace it, so it'll work, but it isn't a cart that would be recommended to purchase for the UD. I'm always in favor of making due and saving for better options. :)
 
kvetcha said:
It's a shibata stylus, so assuming it's being used on clean records I think it should have a pretty long life. You should be able to get at least 1000 hours out of it before needing to retip.

It also sounds terrific on the UltraDeck. :)
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I clean all used records that come in (which isnt many) and then any new record that doesnt come in a poly lined gets cleaned. Sacrilege to some but if theyre poly lined, they get a nice brushing and then if it needs a cleaning if theres issues, itll get it cleaned.

But hey, looks like a 540 and SAE should get me to the end of the year Hana sale i think they usually have.
 
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