Opinions: Music Hall mmf-5.1 Special Edition
- Thread starter MichaelJ
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MichaelJ
Super Member
It's a little over a grand
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
At that price point, I'd keep my eyes out for a gently used VPI Scout. The day of buying a TT in that price range is still in the future for me, but from what I've heard about Music Hall, I don't think I'll choose one. They have had quality issues coupled with reports of poor customer service. I second secretguy's advice. Be careful, look around. there's a lot to choose from at that price point.
Let us know how it goes.
Let us know how it goes.
Trower
Two-Headed Boy
It does look good, but I would definatly go with a different brand. Music Halls tables are make by Pro-ject, and are not as good bang for the buck as Pro-jects are. And the MMF's come with the new series of Goldring Carts, and there not very well spoken of. It shure does look pretty thoguh........
I am in the same boat as you, I've been thinking of getting a "new" table this winter and the options I am considering are, 1 a pro-ject table 2 a Rega P2 3 an older Thorens td150 with ither a Linn arm or a Rega RB250. For a grand you could get an decent thorens and a very nice cart and a good arm, and every were I've read they say the weak link on Thorens are their arms.
So now that you have way to many options, I wish you the best of luck in chooseing you new table, Nick
bholz
New Member
I spent most of the spring and summer looking and listening to TTs in this price range. I ended up purchasing a KAB modded SL1200Mk2 (rewire and fluid damper). It was very easy to set up, simple to use (especially switching between 33 and 45rpm) and it sounds great! Good luck with your search!
Bill
Bill
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
If you have a fabulous dealer who will step between you and Music Hall if something goes wrong then by all means. Otherwise I would look at the Pro-Ject RM5.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
Never worked with Venus so unfortunately that doesn't mean anything to me. Echo Audio in Portland sells MH as well and Kurt serves his customers well. I'm sure it's the same with Venus.
nu2toobs
Can you here that?
In my opinion, and that's all it is, I'd second the VPI Scout advice.
I've done the Technics route and the Rega P3-24 route and I'm currently using a Scout and couldn't say better things about it.
It cost me $1300 shipped and brand new on AGon. I couldn't be happier with the very large highly detailed soundstage.
I've done the Technics route and the Rega P3-24 route and I'm currently using a Scout and couldn't say better things about it.
It cost me $1300 shipped and brand new on AGon. I couldn't be happier with the very large highly detailed soundstage.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
VPI makes a very sound table. I'm not particularly fond of their sound but that's just a preference thing. At about the same money the Scheu Cello is an outstanding table with many of the attributes of the VPI table with some of the swing of the Rega's. Excellent table.
http://www.scheu-analogue.com/en/cello.htm
http://www.scheu-analogue.com/en/cello.htm
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
I'll second Art K.'s recommendation for the RM-5 since I have one, and I can vouch for it's performance and quality. You'd have something left over for a good cartridge, like a Dynavector 10X5 (hint, hint 
). The VPI seems like another good choice. From what I understand about the Music Hall issue, it's not so much that they have more quality control issues than any other brand, but their customer service is infamously horrendous, and I wouldn't give a dime to any company that consistently treats people like that.
For what it's worth, I don't really agree that stock Thorens tonearms are bad. The TP16 on my TD125 MKII performs very nicely. However, with your budget, were you to go that route, you'd get a nicer tonearm. The model I just mentioned is a very good choice.
). The VPI seems like another good choice. From what I understand about the Music Hall issue, it's not so much that they have more quality control issues than any other brand, but their customer service is infamously horrendous, and I wouldn't give a dime to any company that consistently treats people like that.For what it's worth, I don't really agree that stock Thorens tonearms are bad. The TP16 on my TD125 MKII performs very nicely. However, with your budget, were you to go that route, you'd get a nicer tonearm. The model I just mentioned is a very good choice.
MaxSeven
Word Skeptic
I believe there is a VPI Scout on Audiogon in your area. Check it out.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1223746741&/VPI-Scout-turntable---JMW9-ton
That seems like a good value.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1223746741&/VPI-Scout-turntable---JMW9-ton
That seems like a good value.
bebopdeluxe
Well-Known Member
I bought a used MMF-7 (which is a materail step-up from the MMF-5), with a nice cartridge (a Benz Micro ACE) off of Audiogon 4 years ago for $750. I think that it was awesome price/value. Now that there is a MMF-7.1 out there, the original MMF-7's can be had on Audiogon for $500 or less, and I think for somebody with a $500 budget, it is well worth considering.
I have not had a single problem with my MMF-7, and feel no need to upgrade the deck...even as I have recently upgraded both my phono stage and soon to be my cartridge (a new S-Class medium-output Benz Wood-body).
Good luck!
I have not had a single problem with my MMF-7, and feel no need to upgrade the deck...even as I have recently upgraded both my phono stage and soon to be my cartridge (a new S-Class medium-output Benz Wood-body).
Good luck!
cmb3366
Well-Known Member
From what I've read, the MMF-5 is a Pro-ject 2.9 with Music Hall style isolation in the plinth. Being the proud new owner of a 2.9 Classic Cherry, I've got to say, it is a mighty impressive TT. They were using it in their speaker-demo system at Audio Classics, if that says anything; and I found I liked the TT more than the speakers... by by speaker money.
I would say you are definatly on the right track, but you may want to look on the used market, and look at the Pro-ject branded models, primarily to take advantage of thier supposodly better customer service. I will say that TT's in the range you're looking at are definatly worth the initial outlay, they really make the vinyl experience that much better.
I would say you are definatly on the right track, but you may want to look on the used market, and look at the Pro-ject branded models, primarily to take advantage of thier supposodly better customer service. I will say that TT's in the range you're looking at are definatly worth the initial outlay, they really make the vinyl experience that much better.
pioneervato
Lunatic Member
FWIW I was also considering that amount of money + on a new TT and after a lot of searching and reading I went for the Technics SL 1200 MK2 PK for a lot less money and after a week of listening to several LP's from various artists I will say that it has impressed me more that I would have ever thought. The build quality is impressive and it sounds simply wonderful to my ears. I have several cartridges on hand to sample their sound and am looking forward to more good listening from my new TT.
Michael, I hope you find the one that will make you happy and enjoy it as much as I am enjoying my new Technics. Best of luck in your decision.
Jess
Michael, I hope you find the one that will make you happy and enjoy it as much as I am enjoying my new Technics. Best of luck in your decision.
Jess
