Well, mine came and it works and I don't need another, so I figured I'd post this. It's not easy to find a decent direct drive turntable for under a grand that isn't some ugly DJ unit. But, I finally did. The Magnat MTT 990. Abt Electronics is the only source in the US of A, and they're blowing out what they have left for $600. I think I signed up for some newsletter and got another $25 off. Yes, a Technics SL-100C is probably better, but it costs $1100. Originally, the Magnat also cost that, but I have no idea who would buy it for that when they could get a Technics... But for $600? That's $500 left over that can be spent on records and a good cartridge! And it is finished nicer than the Technics.
I'll save you some time figuring out what this thing is: It is a Taiwanese Hanpin parts bin special, but pretty nice parts. No idea on the motor. At first I thought it was the coreless used in the AT-LP140X, but possibly not, if this blow-up diagram found here is accurate: https://ro.homecinesolutions.fr/p/25343-magnat-mtt-990-negru-lucios. This looks some sort of odd variant of the Super OEM but without the magnets integrated onto the platter. Maybe? Whatever it is, it spins. If this isn't accurate, it would be the coreless from the LP140X, which would have been the simpler parts bin option, so who knows. Either is a good motor. The platter is made of Delrin, mounts onto the spindle, and comes with a felt mat. The plinth is MDF, finished in a nice gloss black. The tonearm is yanked off the AT-LP7X, a 10 inch design, and is height adjustable. The arm cueing seems nicely damped, and the plinth seems nicely damped too. Nice feet and apparently some attention to vibration control in the design stage. So they claim. More or less, I think it's probably very similar to the new $1000 AT-LP8X less the auto stop, but with a better overall quality of finish and a Delrin vs damped aluminum platter. Stock cart isn't anything special, so order a new VM540ML/H and a $10 rubber platter mat with the money you saved. You'll just have to get up and shut it off at the end of the record. Nice dust cover, and nice hinges. The only thing I don't love the feel of so much is the plastic on/off/speed knob, but it works.
If someone wants a nice looking, new direct drive at a cheap price, this one here's your huckleberry. There are some reviews, all quite positive, but they're mostly in German. There were zero US reviews or publicity, and I have no idea why Abt has these in the first place. Got stuck on the wrong boat? Probably why it's now $600, and possibly the best direct drive bargain going.
I'll save you some time figuring out what this thing is: It is a Taiwanese Hanpin parts bin special, but pretty nice parts. No idea on the motor. At first I thought it was the coreless used in the AT-LP140X, but possibly not, if this blow-up diagram found here is accurate: https://ro.homecinesolutions.fr/p/25343-magnat-mtt-990-negru-lucios. This looks some sort of odd variant of the Super OEM but without the magnets integrated onto the platter. Maybe? Whatever it is, it spins. If this isn't accurate, it would be the coreless from the LP140X, which would have been the simpler parts bin option, so who knows. Either is a good motor. The platter is made of Delrin, mounts onto the spindle, and comes with a felt mat. The plinth is MDF, finished in a nice gloss black. The tonearm is yanked off the AT-LP7X, a 10 inch design, and is height adjustable. The arm cueing seems nicely damped, and the plinth seems nicely damped too. Nice feet and apparently some attention to vibration control in the design stage. So they claim. More or less, I think it's probably very similar to the new $1000 AT-LP8X less the auto stop, but with a better overall quality of finish and a Delrin vs damped aluminum platter. Stock cart isn't anything special, so order a new VM540ML/H and a $10 rubber platter mat with the money you saved. You'll just have to get up and shut it off at the end of the record. Nice dust cover, and nice hinges. The only thing I don't love the feel of so much is the plastic on/off/speed knob, but it works.
If someone wants a nice looking, new direct drive at a cheap price, this one here's your huckleberry. There are some reviews, all quite positive, but they're mostly in German. There were zero US reviews or publicity, and I have no idea why Abt has these in the first place. Got stuck on the wrong boat? Probably why it's now $600, and possibly the best direct drive bargain going.
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It easily is.
