Music Hall MMF-11 Cartridge Recommendation

[livestrong]

As the title might suggest, I happened upon a Music Hall MMF-11 recently and am looking for a good cartridge recommendation. It arrives on Tuesday and I'm planning to pair it with an Ortofon 2M Bronze that I have to start with, but thinking of getting something different.

My phono pre amp is currently a PS Audio GCPH, but I also have a Vincent PHO-8 that I may play around with. The rest of my equipment is in my signature.

A gently used Dynavector 20x2H has popped up that I'm considering, does that sound like it'd be a good match? Any other suggestions? I'd like to keep my budget under $600 used - I know the table can handle better, I'm just not prepared to invest any more in my vinyl playback at this point.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[livestrong]

Or simply start with the Dynavector 10x5? I really wish I could have got it paired with the Goldring Eroica LX LOMC for an extra $200 like the option you get on the MMF-9.1, but that wasn't an option with the MMF-11

I'd really love to hear some other thoughts if you have any.

 

[Bob_in_OKC]

I could see how it could seem that these cartridges just aren't expensive enough for the turntable, but I bet you'll get great performance out of that Ortofon on the Pro-Ject tonearm.

 

[livestrong]

I could see how it could seem that these cartridges just aren't expensive enough for the turntable, but I bet you'll get great performance out of that Ortofon on the Pro-Ject tonearm.

Yeah. I may have over bought on the turntable, it I'm hopeful that it'll be the last table I buy for the next 10+ years

 

[Bob_in_OKC]

Although I don't mean to recommend against the Dynavector, I'd absolutely try the Ortofon for a while. I do like the Eroica, too. You could buy one from the UK for less than US prices.

 

[Tedrick]

That Dynavector should be a good match with the Pro-ject 'arm. BUT, I'd mount the 2M Bronze first and live with it for a while before thinking about buying another cartridge. You may find that the 2M Bronze sounds so good that you don't feel the need to upgrade.

 

[ambient]

I ran a 10x5,with an mmf-7 with success. The 20 seems like a logical progression.

 

[MWalt]

That Dynavector should be a good match with the Pro-ject 'arm. BUT, I'd mount the 2M Bronze first and live with it for a while before thinking about buying another cartridge. You may find that the 2M Bronze sounds so good that you don't feel the need to upgrade.

I like this. See how the Bronze sounds and then maybe upgrade down the road with a Dynavector Karat.

 

[livestrong]

Thanks for the thoughts - I'm definately not opposed to using the 2M Bronze, I was just thinking it would be nice to get a different cart than I was using on my vintage Pioneer PL-570. I guess it'll give me a good sense for how the table/arm change the sound before I move to something different.

I'd love to keep this thread going for future potential carts - so please keep the recommendations coming

On another note, any professional turntable setup people in MN?

 

[Tedrick]

Thanks for the thoughts - I'm definately not opposed to using the 2M Bronze, I was just thinking it would be nice to get a different cart than I was using on my vintage Pioneer PL-570. I guess it'll give me a good sense for how the table/arm change the sound before I move to something different.

I'd love to keep this thread going for future potential carts - so please keep the recommendations coming

On another note, any professional turntable setup people in MN?

VERY sensible approach. It's possible that the top-level Music Hall 'table may allow the Bronze to really show its capabilities, too.

Agree with MWalt, the Dynavector 17D3 Karat would be a fine choice. While the DV20X-2H is a fine cartridge, the 17D3 Karat is a real step above. However, you would need a phono preamp that is LOMC-capable. Another great cartridge is the Audio Technica AT-OC9ML/II. At the current close-out price at LPGear, it's an easy recommendation and a real audio bargain.

 

[livestrong]

Well, the table arrived yesterday, but I'm thinking about trying to find some professional help mounting the cartridge. This thing is a monster of a table and an absolute thing of beauty in my eyes - I'm so glad the MMF-11.1 came out so I could get my hands on the "old" MMF-11 for a reasonable price

Here are a couple of terrible pictures I took last night that don't do the table justice! The only thing I find weak is the IC's they supply - for a table that retailed at over $4K, the IC's seem out of place. I was expecting something similar to what I've seen on Rega tables. But I'd say that is really minor and since they're not hardwired, it is easy to swap a new pair in...I just have to open my pocket book again...

I know I always enjoy seeing pictures so I thought I'd share a couple even though they aren't very good - I promise I'll take some better ones at some point! Did I mention that I'm excited?

 

[Tedrick]

:thmbsp: Nice looking 'table!!

 

[ambient]

She's a beast and a beauty.

You definitely need a great cart to extract the most from her.

 

[Jeff K]

If the interconnects are like those skinny coax that came on my mmf-7, Roy Hall claims he uses them because they sound good, not because they're cheap. (They are cheap, ymmv.)

 

[Catcher10]

Well, the table arrived yesterday, but I'm thinking about trying to find some professional help mounting the cartridge. This thing is a monster of a table and an absolute thing of beauty in my eyes - I'm so glad the MMF-11.1 came out so I could get my hands on the "old" MMF-11 for a reasonable price

Here are a couple of terrible pictures I took last night that don't do the table justice! The only thing I find weak is the IC's they supply - for a table that retailed at over $4K, the IC's seem out of place. I was expecting something similar to what I've seen on Rega tables. But I'd say that is really minor and since they're not hardwired, it is easy to swap a new pair in...I just have to open my pocket book again...

I know I always enjoy seeing pictures so I thought I'd share a couple even though they aren't very good - I promise I'll take some better ones at some point! Did I mention that I'm excited?

Are you kidding livestrong!!! I would be further into analog heaven if I could swing this table. My dream list changes all the time, the one item that does not is the dream of owning a mmf-11 or mmf-11.1

As far as carts, I tend to agree with you. Go with the Ortofon for now, get used to the table and arm and then determine from there what you think would get you higher up the SQ ladder. I can only guess with the right cart that table will extract more detail from your vinyl than ever thought.

Don't count out very good MM carts either....Remember you can replace the stylus. And if I had this table I probably would stick with MM since I know I would wear out needles much quicker, without the hassle of re-tipping MC...but that is just me, YMMV.

Really looking forward to your impressions of this table and the improvement over the 7.1. Just having the built in microprocessor speedbox is awesome and the isolation design is insane overall.

Congrats!

(BTW....I hate you!)

 

[livestrong]

If the interconnects are like those skinny coax that came on my mmf-7, Roy Hall claims he uses them because they sound good, not because they're cheap. (They are cheap, ymmv.)

The ones I got are exactly the same as the ones I got with my MMF-7.1, but I'm wondering if they are supposed to be the same or if they put the wrong ones with the table. I have a feeling that they're all the same. Kind of a bummer as it is causing some hum - perhaps not shielded enough? Just the little power cord from the turntable crossing it produces a hum. Oh well, I guess I'll be ordering a new pair from AntiCables

:thmbsp: Nice looking 'table!!

She's a beast and a beauty.

Thanks!

Are you kidding livestrong!!! I would be further into analog heaven if I could swing this table. My dream list changes all the time, the one item that does not is the dream of owning a mmf-11 or mmf-11.1

As far as carts, I tend to agree with you. Go with the Ortofon for now, get used to the table and arm and then determine from there what you think would get you higher up the SQ ladder. I can only guess with the right cart that table will extract more detail from your vinyl than ever thought.

Don't count out very good MM carts either....Remember you can replace the stylus. And if I had this table I probably would stick with MM since I know I would wear out needles much quicker, without the hassle of re-tipping MC...but that is just me, YMMV.

Really looking forward to your impressions of this table and the improvement over the 7.1. Just having the built in microprocessor speedbox is awesome and the isolation design is insane overall.

Congrats!

(BTW....I hate you!)

Thanks for the hate I honestly can't believe that I have the table myself - never thought I'd own anything like it.

I didn't have a ton of time this evening before getting the kids to bed, but I was able to get the Ortofon 2M Bronze mounted and cranked out a few songs. I was smiling ear to ear after the first few rotations I will probably end up starting another thread at some point to talk more about the MMF-11.

I know if it kind of tough to tell from pictures, but I think the VTA is actually pretty solid as it is and I aligned the cart the best that I could with the supplied gauge. Is it just me or does the 2M Bronze ride low? (I have it set at 1.75 grams)

Forgive the dust and ammeter iPhone photos...

 

[slippers-on]

Wow! Man you got a hell of a table there! Congrats mi man! I've had two Carts from the MM series and they do ride low. The 2M Black would be best at getting everything out of that table. But you also have several carts to chose from as well. Bob_in_okc made a suggestion of getting a Eroica cart at cheaper prices....hes a great guy and can give you the skinny.

 

[Catcher10]

I had hum with the stock cables on the 7.1, but audible at like 11 o'clock volume. I always intended to change them and when I got the Morrow Audio PH3 reference cables the hum all but went away....I have to turn the volume knob to like 3 o'clock to hear anything......and of course I will never listen at that level.

VTA looks fine to me, someone let me borrow their 2M Red when I first got my mmf-7.1 and I did notice it rided low........Take your time and have fun man!!