• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Pro-Ject RPM 1 Carbon opinions?

I doubt that's the case any more. I was in the UK a few months ago and found only overpriced junk vinyl. Charity shops are well aware of current prices, so the days of bargains there have rapidly disappeared. Gumtree or ebay are the best options for used turntables, or the various UK hifi forums.

The hifiwigwam show is coming up, so, if you are close, I'd go there. Members very helpful, plus will be able to point you to something decent in their classifieds. Plus it's the only show of its type, where people get to show off their own gear
http://www.thehifishow.com/
 
Hi everyone, this is a great community!

I'm very interested in getting the RPM 1 Carbon, as it seems to have solved the motor hum problems that the Debut Carbon had. Does anyone own this? I've been searching for clips in YouTube, and the few that are available are not really helpful at all. If someone could share their experiences it would be very appreciated. I have a budget of aprox. 325 pounds (460 dollars or 425 euros), so I'm looking for something "cheap", but as good as this price range can provide.

Cheers guys! :beerchug:
If I where you...I'd get one of the discontinued Music Hall tables..the 2.2 which is discounted because of the new model. Then you can upgrade the cart. And it comes with a dust cover. Or you can get the new model which retails for $499. it comes with a better arm.

AMHTTMMF2.jpg

Music Hall MMF-2.3 Turntable
Plug-and-Play Simplicity, Easy Operation, Excellent Sound: Music Hall MMF-2.3 Turntable Includes Preinstalled Cartridge, Pre-Mounted Carbon-Fiber Tonearm, and DC Motor
Part of an improved line that better meets the demands of vinyl enthusiasts and exposes the unique joys of spinning LPs, the budget-priced Music Hall MMF-2.3 turntable is plug-and-play nirvana. This two-speed belt-driven ‘table comes equipped with a preinstalled Music Hall Spirit MM cartridge (a $100 value specially built by the experts at Audio Technica), an upgraded and pre-mounted carbon-fiber tonearm, and separately isolated DC synchronous motor. Everything about MMF-2.3 – from the rock-solid construction to the high-grade parts – focuses on the critical components responsible for playing music with involving dynamics, absorbing detail, and sought-after analog warmth. Such worry-free simplicity means you'll be placing a record on the ‘table and hearing excellent sound within minutes of unpacking MMF-2.3.

Everything About MMF-2.3 Is Chosen for Performance
Not that MMF-2.3 overlooks anything essential for engaging listening. A full-size alloy platter and felt mat help provide requisite speed stability. The high-precision, stainless-steel and bronze bearing assembly delivers quiet, fluid operation. The tonearm supplies great tracking of your LP grooves, and adjustable vibration-damping feet cancel out footfalls. You even get a dust cover and 45RPM adaptor so you can easily spin both 33RPM and 45RPM records. MMF.2-3 also looks snazzy, with several available high-gloss finishes. Add in the Music Direct 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, and MMF-2.3 basically sells itself.
AMHTTMMF23B.jpg
 
Last edited:
a) The Music Hall is a Pro-ject - made in the same factory.
b) The OP is in the UK, and I'm not sure if Music Hall is readily available there.
 
Daunia, while your opinions are certainly appreciated, put yourself is other's shoes who may own this table and realize that your descriptors of "crap" and "junk" are downright offensive and unnecessary. This exemplifies the type of attitude that this forum strives to diverge itself from.



I call a spade a spade!
It's something I've listened to and like I've already stated it's build and sound quality are crap.
Sure,some might like it and that's fair enough,but I gave my honest opinion which was the title/question of this thread.
 
What are you comparing it with? What are your perfect turntables and experiences thereof? Until you say, your opinions are crap.
 
I've seen hi-fi shops around here (in the US) that stock entry level Pro-Jects and Regas. Surely there has to be one near you for you to audition some turntables.
 
Thanks for the great replies, guys!
I doubt that's the case any more. I was in the UK a few months ago and found only overpriced junk vinyl. Charity shops are well aware of current prices, so the days of bargains there have rapidly disappeared. Gumtree or ebay are the best options for used turntables, or the various UK hifi forums.

The hifiwigwam show is coming up, so, if you are close, I'd go there. Members very helpful, plus will be able to point you to something decent in their classifieds. Plus it's the only show of its type, where people get to show off their own gear
http://www.thehifishow.com/
Unfortunately I live in the north-east (Durham), so the show is quite a bit of a trip for me, but I'll definitely check the reviews of it!

If I where you...I'd get one of the discontinued Music Hall tables..the 2.2 which is discounted because of the new model. Then you can upgrade the cart. And it comes with a dust cover. Or you can get the new model which retails for $499. it comes with a better arm.

AMHTTMMF2.jpg

Music Hall MMF-2.3 Turntable
Plug-and-Play Simplicity, Easy Operation, Excellent Sound: Music Hall MMF-2.3 Turntable Includes Preinstalled Cartridge, Pre-Mounted Carbon-Fiber Tonearm, and DC Motor
Part of an improved line that better meets the demands of vinyl enthusiasts and exposes the unique joys of spinning LPs, the budget-priced Music Hall MMF-2.3 turntable is plug-and-play nirvana. This two-speed belt-driven ‘table comes equipped with a preinstalled Music Hall Spirit MM cartridge (a $100 value specially built by the experts at Audio Technica), an upgraded and pre-mounted carbon-fiber tonearm, and separately isolated DC synchronous motor. Everything about MMF-2.3 – from the rock-solid construction to the high-grade parts – focuses on the critical components responsible for playing music with involving dynamics, absorbing detail, and sought-after analog warmth. Such worry-free simplicity means you'll be placing a record on the ‘table and hearing excellent sound within minutes of unpacking MMF-2.3.

Everything About MMF-2.3 Is Chosen for Performance
Not that MMF-2.3 overlooks anything essential for engaging listening. A full-size alloy platter and felt mat help provide requisite speed stability. The high-precision, stainless-steel and bronze bearing assembly delivers quiet, fluid operation. The tonearm supplies great tracking of your LP grooves, and adjustable vibration-damping feet cancel out footfalls. You even get a dust cover and 45RPM adaptor so you can easily spin both 33RPM and 45RPM records. MMF.2-3 also looks snazzy, with several available high-gloss finishes. Add in the Music Direct 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, and MMF-2.3 basically sells itself.
AMHTTMMF23B.jpg
It's really hard to get a Music Hall in the UK (I wish we could get the U Turn Orbit too)....
 
Aside from the RPM 1.3, I also have a Dual CS 506 (with Stanton L727E cart) that I believe I picked up for $50US a few years ago. I think that it sounds decent, but then again I have never listened to a truly high end table with a truly high end cart/stylus.

Are Duals popular across the pond?

Any thoughts on the build quality/sound quality of the lower end of the Dual lineup? I would appreciate your input as well Daunia (I am bracing for it, but it would be appreciated).
 
The OP might want to consider taking the time and traveling the distance to the hifiwigwam show as grottyash has suggested. If the show is anything like the US AK fests he will have an opportunity to meet other hifi hobbiests, see and listen to equipment and possibly come home with a nice turntable from a members collection. The recent AK fests I'v attended there were a number of reconditioned vintage tables selling for prices well below that of any new entry level turntable.
 
What are you comparing it with? What are your perfect turntables and experiences thereof? Until you say, your opinions are crap.




Almost any vintage TT will wipe the floor with it,even a budget MRRP $200 Technics. But I know from past threads you adore any Pro-Ject or Rega TT.
Perhaps,I could ask what your experiences are with decent TT's? (when they were built properly and made to last) anything Japanese would be of utmost interest... Some pics would be nice too!
 
Almost any vintage TT will wipe the floor with it,even a budget MRRP $200 Technics. But I know from past threads you adore any Pro-Ject or Rega TT.
Perhaps,I could ask what your experiences are with decent TT's? (when they were built properly and made to last) anything Japanese would be of utmost interest... Some pics would be nice too!
wow, so much misinformation.......But, clearly I know who to not listen to in these kinds of threads.....Congrates, you are the first person I have ever put on "Ignore"
 
Don't take this the wrong way Daunia, but you lack a certain...shall we say...tact?

Like you, I call them like I see them.

Now perhaps to get back to assisting the OP? I wonder if one of the mid-range Dual tables would fit the bill?
 
Don't take this the wrong way Daunia, but you lack a certain...shall we say...tact?

Like you, I call them like I see them.

Now perhaps to get back to assisting the OP? I wonder if one of the mid-range Dual tables would fit the bill?




So now I call it rubbish... sounds better than crap or junk ;)
 
Don't take this the wrong way Daunia, but you lack a certain...shall we say...tact?

Like you, I call them like I see them.

Now perhaps to get back to assisting the OP? I wonder if one of the mid-range Dual tables would fit the bill?


Duals are also a good choice. The idler drive ones are popular but do need some updating if they have not had it done yet. I have a Dual 721 which is direct drive, operates very quietly and is full auto. Belt drives are also pretty nice in the Dual group.
 
What irritates me is that Pro-Ject have been makin'/sellin' crap TT's for many a year (so many young fanboys who know no better).
Back in the late 90's I purchased my 1st brand new Pro-Ject,a debut 2 (pic below) for around £200. It's total crap,in fact one day I'm just gonna bin it.
Always hated the thing (build/sound quality are laughable),even a low end vintage Technics would wipe the floor with it. Just wish I had some honest opinions so that I didn't waste my money,but back then there were no hi-fi forums/internet.
So,I'm no snob,just tellin' it exactly like it is.
The RP-1 is even worse!






012_zpsrrkl7zvm.jpg
 
Last edited:
I don't know Daunia,

Although I have never personally owned a high end table, I have had people over to the house who have very high end gear (and one who owns a local sound shop), to get their opinions on how I may be able to optimize my setup. All of them thought that the system sounded spectacular while spinning vinyl on the RPM 1.3.

I was concerned about lack of a substantial plinth and the corresponding effect that SPL-induced vibrations might have feeding back through the table, but I am not experiencing any of those negative attributes, even when speaker output is pushing 103 db at 1m (as measured with my iPhone db meter app). It sounds very good to my relatively untrained ear, but the apparent SQ was also corroborated by those with a more polished reference perspective.

Might it be the synergy of my system perhaps? Placement of the table relative to my speakers? Room dynamics? I honestly have no idea. Perhaps the water supply in my area is negatively affecting the cochlear acuity of the local population, including those that had assessed my system?

Build quality is another issue, and only time will tell. I suspect strongly that vintage tables will win out in this regard, especially if the MDF construction of the RPM is exposed to high humidity conditions.

Full disclosure - I am currently running a Technics SL-7 in lieu of the RPM 1.3, but only because I am a lazy ass and appreciate the former's automatic functionality.
 
Last edited:
Interesting that Mr call a spade a spade ends up in tears when someone does the same with him.
I thought the build quality on my Debut was fine for the money, and the sound not bad either, though I did upgrade the cartridge to an OM20 - it came with the OM5. Remember, you're comparing it with the bottom end Japanese decks, which were pretty ordinary, if the truth be known.

I do think you'd be better off waiting a bit then investing in an RP3, which is on a different level in terms of quality.
 
Back
Top Bottom