MMC-1 owners. Questions for you.

[jhoak]

I'm thinking real hard about pulling the trigger on one of the MMC-1s currently listed for sale. I need to "simplify" my system a bit.

At present the system consists of: USP-1, LMC-1, UPA-5, Oppo BDP-83, Clearaudio Emotion TT with Denon DL-103, Klipsch La Scalas, Heresys, and DIY Academy center. I also have a nice IB subwoofer bringing up the bottom octaves.

My question relates to the sonic qualities between the MMC-1 and the USP-1. How much if any am I going to lose by going to the MMC-1 for my main processor / preamp?

I would need to pick up a small 2-channel amp to run "zone 2" as the LMC-1 is doing that for me now. That shouldn't be a big deal though.

I would also need to get a different cartridge since the MMC-1 doesn't support LOMC cartridges but I'm sure that I can flip the DL-103 for enough $$ to get a decent MM cartridge.

The $$ don't concern me as I know that I can turn the USP-1 and LMC-1 for enough to cover the cost of the MMC-1. I know that I'll have to go back to silver trim from the current black trim but I can live with that. Or run it all with no trim. Pretty unimportant.

My listening is 80% 2-channel and 20% movies with a little bit of multi-channel music mixed in.

Assuming that the goal is to downsize and simplify without taking too bad a sonic hit should I do it?

[dotvibe]

I wouldn't do it if I was you, at least not you are doing a lot of listening to vinyl. that's a very nice turntable with a nice cartridge, and it deserves a pre-amp with a proper phono stage like the usp-1.

[merlinwerks]

If you feel the USP-1 is significantly better sounding than the LMC-1 for your needs, then I would keep the USP-1. IMHO, the LMC-1 and MMC-1 sound very much alike in my system. I had both (LMC/MMC) for a short period and was able to A/B directly, level matched, same source, instant switching, no fickle/faulty audio memory involved
Was it a rigorous, meticulously executed DBT? No, I did know when they were being switched, but I didn't know which was playing at any given moment. Before I made the instant switching setup, I would of sworn the MMC was much better than the LMC, such are the perils of A/B tests based on audio memory

[sounder]

I'm happy with my MMC's sound quality. I have a Projekt RM5SE tt with a LOMC cartridge. I use a dedicated Jolida JD-9 (IIRC) tube preamp, and the combination is stunning. You can find less expensive preamps that will do the job well, too, so you don't have to replace the cartridge. I have a UPA2 to power the second zone. I agree with you that simple is better. Overall, it
is a combination I recommend highly.

One issue I've had that I'll share. If you have a digital source (like a digital CD player connection) the digital source will only work in zone 2 using an analog feed unless you use the digital feed on zone 1 also. And, that doesn't always work, either. Emo has been unable to help me figure out why it doesn't work, but I live with it just fine.

[jlafrenz]

The USP-1 has a better phono stage than the MMC-1. I see that your 80% music so I assume that this is important to you. My suggestion would be to keep the USP-1 for phono, but I know that doesn't really fix the situation of trying to simplify.

[jhoak]

Thanks for the input.

I'm still waffeling on the MMC-1. I'm pretty pleased with the USP-1 and don't want to take too big a step backwards sound wise for the sake of "ease of use".