I have an uniquely modded Music Hall MM5 Turntable with a Pro-Ject SpeedBox MkII for sale. It was part of the gear that I had setup at the October 2009 Head-Fi Meet in Houston. ( See links below.) I purchased it in early 2007, and the mods were implemented over a two year period. I used the turntable modifications to better understand the importance in resonance control, and other key factors in turntable design. This project has over $1,200 invested, not to mention my labor.
FOR SALE $550.00 +PLUS SHIPPING - 30LBS FROM 77036 CONTINENTAL US ONLY - PAYMENT MONEY ORDER, OR PAYPAL ( Plus Paypal Fees)
The following mods are listed in order of the greatest improvement in sound.
1.) Massive reduction in plinth resonance and noise which was picked up by the cartridge was accomplished. I first applied a few 3M Damping Sheets, then Dynamat Xtreme to the bottom of the top part of the split plinth. I used Herbie Audio Lab Grungebuster material to isolate the motor on the top part of the bottom split plinth as well as 3M Damping Sheet and Dynamat Xtreme on the bottom of the bottom plinth beneath the motor area.
2.) Take Five Audio Tonearm Rewire TFA R1 on the Pro- Ject Arm includes Cardas 33 awg tonearm wire, Cardas PCC E cartridge clips, Eichmann Copper Bullet Plugs with black aluminum shells, dual “balanced ground” which were all cryo treated.
3.) Music Direct MM5 Deep Grove aluminum replacement subplatter kit was used to replace the plastic subplatter.
4.) Additional Tonearm enhancements include Mapleshade Phonophile Nanomount System for the cartridge and arm mounting base, brass threaded inserts with brass extension knobs for stabilizing and fine tuning arm tension for the base mounting. I also lowered the counterweight secured with a small metal bar and Teflon plumbing tape. The counterweight mod may not be pretty, but it resulted in a cleaner sound, so I left it that way. No tonearm tracking bias settings were necessary after the tonearm mods.
Other extras include Herbie Audio Lab Way Excellent Turntable Mat, and four of Herbie's 1” Tenderfoot footers. The threaded record clamp, and pro-ject cartridge alignment gauge which came with the MM5 are also included. I will include a Goldring 1042 cartridge, however the stylus needs replacement. You can purchase a replacement stylus which just slides into the cartridge head, or have a Sound Smith retip done. There are issues with swirl marks, and scratches on the top plinth, and plastic cover which are noticeable upon close inspection.
I will be happy to provide assistance in setup, if requested.
A couple related headfi-org links:
Head-FI links
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/450863/houston-meet-impressions-10-17-2009
http://jonathanlgolden.com/2009/10/houston-event-photography/
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(please note, in this first photo, the brass weight and record ring are not included; this was shot at the past October 09 Houston Head-fi.org meet and I thought it showed the over all kit fairly well); please revisit the above for a concise description of all mods and components included with this sale)
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(the following shots detail some of the mod/build process steps that went into the customization of the turntable)
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Best regards.
Edited by s1rrah - 8/11/10 at 11:15am
