Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — MoFi Electronics STUDIODECK+U

The StudioDeck+U is the entry-level StudioDeck belt-drive turntable from MoFi Electronics supplied with the UltraTracker moving magnet cartridge already fitted, which is what the U suffix stands for. MoFi describes the StudioDeck as developed with outside audio designers and aimed at simple operation, and the deck and its tonearm are custom designed and manufactured in the USA. The same chassis is sold without a cartridge or with the StudioTracker or MasterTracker instead - in MoFi order the UltraTracker is the middle one of the three.

Key specs that matter

A 300 rpm AC synchronous motor drives a 3/4-inch Delrin platter weighing about 1.76 kg. Speeds are 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. MoFi quotes wow and flutter of 0.017% to 0.025% with signal to noise at 72 dB. The 10-inch straight aluminium tonearm uses a gimbaled bearing, with an overhang of 18 mm and an offset angle of 22.8 degrees adjustable by plus or minus 2 degrees. Dimensions are 500 x 137 x 362 mm and weight is about 8.7 kg. Power consumption is below 5 W, with versions for 120 V 60 Hz, 220 to 230 V 50 Hz and 100 V 50 Hz.

Engineering and use context

A two-step Delrin pulley sets the speed, so going from 33 1/3 to 45 rpm means lifting the belt onto the other step. The motor is isolated from the plinth with damping materials, and the body is an MDF base bonded to an aluminium plate for constrained layer damping. The platter spins on an inverted bearing of steel, bronze and Teflon. Anti-vibration feet were designed by Harmonic Resolution Systems, a technique MoFi counts among those normally kept for much more expensive products. The arm has adjustable tracking force, arm height, azimuth and anti-skate.

Pairing

The fitted UltraTracker is a dual magnet moving magnet cartridge with a nude elliptical stylus, its V-twin generator placing two strong magnets parallel with the stereo groove walls, an output of 3.5 mV and a tracking force range of 1.8 to 2.2 g. It is hand-built in Japan, and its housing is milled from solid aluminium billet in the USA. With that output the deck needs a moving magnet phono input, either inside the amplifier or in a separate phono stage such as the MoFi StudioPhono, which has selectable gain and loading for moving magnet and moving coil use.

Alternatives

The MoFi UltraDeck is the next turntable up, with a heavier Delrin platter of about 3.1 kg and a total weight of about 10.5 kg.