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Which turntable is better?

I thought there was a rule that you have to be able to see the tubes, isn't that part of the appeal?

Seriously, that looks like a good option too. Man it's easy to spend money on this hobby. In the last one and a half years I've bought two plasmas, 5 speakers, a sub, a blu ray player and a worthless usb turntable. Thankfully a friend gave me a barely used HK AVR.
 
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JohnVF said:
The DB-systems DB-8 is a good stand alone phono pre that sounds startling like the phono stage in my vintage ARC Sp-3a1 tube preamp. Liquid but detailed and can be upgraded with a better power supply than the wall-wart it comes with (which still does a great job). I had a VP-129 and it's no contest between it and the DB-8. I really thought the VP-129 was rather limiting and didn't have enough gain for some of the carts I've used. Maybe the newer Bellari pres are better.
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I second that motion. I have a DB-8 that I had the factory add an extra 6db of gain specifically for when I use HOMC carts. This pre is a great value. Not much to look at, but good. FWIW I have an MMF 5.1 with the Goldring 1012x and it sounds great. Especially now that I added a Speed Box II.
 
I use a music hall 5 , has split plinth , goldring cartridge. I bought it new and have not checked what model number goldring cartridge it uses.
My first impressions were better then anything I had used before it, Including technics 1300 ,JVC QL5 ect.
As mentioned the goldring cantilever seems stiff but it still tracks well enough and sounds very good to my ears.
Just my two cents.
 
I used the Expression III for about a year and like it. I put a Grado statement Sonata On it and really enjoyed the sound. Right now I'm using a Jolida stage with my music Hall MMF 7.1 and love it. If you get ahold Of Underwood HiFi he can usually do you a Pretty good package deal on either. He sells a lot on Audiogon. Real good customer service
 
I think the Music Hall MMF 5.1 is the sweet spot sonically and performance wise. Build is better than the cheaper units. The Goldring is fine. Do track it at the high end of the range. I like the MMF 5.1
 
Thanks Kent, I think I'm going to go with the 5.1.

What do you mean by tracking it a the higher end of the range? Are you talking about tracking force of the arm?

I saw an Audio Advisor video that said that said to set it at 1.7g.
 
I agree with the advice for a little higher tracking force. I mostly ran my Goldring 2200 on my MMF-5 at 1.9 grams or thereabout. I also currently run my Goldring 1042 on my Rega at around 1.9 grams.
 
I have the xpression III. It's my main table and I can vouch for it sounding great, but I have never heard the music hall so this probably isn't very helpful :)
 
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