VMP Magazine

One of my favorite parts of the vinyl resurgence is the new equipment offerings that are available in all different price ranges. Looking at the vast array of options, it's as if the dark days of 2006 (the worst year for vinyl sales in history) never happened. New offerings are hitting the market from both upstart firms and storied brands—and one of the most storied brands—Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MoFi) entered the equipment side of the hobby after four decades of offering some of the most sought after reissues available.

Anyone who has been collecting records for any length of time knows the name Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, or MoFi. They’ve been releasing extremely high quality reissues of classic albums since 1977. In early 2016, MoFi announced that they were were starting production of a line of turntables, cartridges and electronics, showing prototypes at numerous Hi-Fi shows. Earlier this summer, their Michigan based factory released two new turntable designs, the $1999 Ultradeck including their $499 Ultratracker cartridge, and the less expensive Studiodeck, which is priced at $1149 with their $199 StudioTracker cartridge. Here, we will focus on the Ultradeck.

When MoFi announced their new line of turntables, the minimalist industrial design immediately caught my eye. But of course performance is more important than appearance. What's really interesting is that these models were designed in collaboration with Allen Perkins. Perkins is a rock star among turntable designers, normally designing uber performance models for extremely well-heeled buyers - starting at $17,995. After parting with that pile of cash, you'll have to part with several thousand more dollars minimum for a suitable arm and cartridge. Knowing this and looking at a picture and reading the description of the prototype Ultradeck, one would expect a price in the $4,000 to $5,000 range. When prices were announced, coming in much lower than anticipated, I knew I had to try one.