Turntable advice: Ikura Black vs MMF-5.1SE ?

[maider]

I am going to purchase a turntable. I have almost no experience with turntables so budget basically dictates the selection. I have narrowed it down to one of these two, Ikura Black or the MMF-5.1SE turntable. Any opinion or information that would help push me in one direction or the other would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jackpine]

Just guessing here. The Ikura is more expensive with a cheaper cartridge. It should be the better table with more potential to upgrade the cartridge down the road for better sound. The SE comes with a higher priced cartridge and might sound better right out of the box. Not a lot of help but something to consider.

[vneal]

Do a search on the Pro-Ject 5.1 SE. The arm, platter and clamp will favor the Music Hall who sources these parts from Pro-Ject. I would get the Pro-Ject

[maider]

Thanks to all. The information is greatly appreciated.

[restless]

I just noticed a U-turn player on MassDrop, and you may be interested in a simple starter phono. It is at a bit of a discount. The only issue with MassDrop is that you have to wait for the end of the DROP, before anything is shipped, so there is no immediate gratification.

www.massdrop.com/buy/u-turn-audio-orbit-basic-cue?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Community%20-%20Audiophile%20-%20MAU%20%28Active%29&utm_campaign=Audiophile%20A%20Product%20Announcement%202015-06-09&mode=guest_open&referer=3A5ATG

[vneal]

great deal on the turntable suggestion above. Although that particular AT cartridge is OK at best

[stiehl11]

What would you recommend for a decent cartridge to put on it? At $200 I'd almost consider getting one for my old vinyl.

[qdtjni]

Ortofon 2M Blue or OM30 if you can find the latter at close to $200.

[stiehl11]

How durable will the stylus be? This will be going over 30 year-old vinyl that wasn't exactly well cared for. As well as my father and grandfather's vinyl going back to the 50's (I swear they much have played Frisbee with them).

[qdtjni]

As for TT up to around $2k, there are more models from Pro-Ject to consider such as PerspeX, RPM 9.1 & 9.2 or the 5.1 already suggested.
Rega RP3 and RP6 are also good TT and there are many other good TTs in that price range.

[qdtjni]

Jun 9, 2015 13:55:47 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

How durable will the stylus be? This will be going over 30 year-old vinyl that wasn't exactly well cared for. As well as my father and grandfather's vinyl going back to the 50's (I swear they much have played Frisbee with them).

The stylus of most MM cartridges are replacable but if you want something really durable the DJ line from Ortofon fulfil that, although sound quality will be worse.

[dmraupp]

Jun 9, 2015 12:49:19 GMT -5 restless said:

I just noticed a U-turn player on MassDrop, and you may be interested in a simple starter phono. It is at a bit of a discount. The only issue with MassDrop is that you have to wait for the end of the DROP, before anything is shipped, so there is no immediate gratification.

www.massdrop.com/buy/u-turn-audio-orbit-basic-cue?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Community%20-%20Audiophile%20-%20MAU%20%28Active%29&utm_campaign=Audiophile%20A%20Product%20Announcement%202015-06-09&mode=guest_open&referer=3A5ATG

Thanks for the link,I just bought one and upgraded to the acrylic platter also.

[vneal]

Jun 9, 2015 13:51:39 GMT -5 qdtjni said:

Ortofon 2M Blue or OM30 if you can find the latter at close to $200.

Great value cartridge. Also GRADO, Sumiko

[vneal]

Jun 9, 2015 13:55:47 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

How durable will the stylus be? This will be going over 30 year-old vinyl that wasn't exactly well cared for. As well as my father and grandfather's vinyl going back to the 50's (I swear they much have played Frisbee with them).

No cartridge will sound good on poorly cared for LPs. In fact the better the cartridge the more revealing & worse sounding on a crappy LP.