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In Reply to: Re: New turntables posted by Bob Wortman on December 19, 2005 at 08:42:43:
I agree about buying used, but I disagree with your avoid Music Hall products, just about any manufacturers base models in that price range are going to be one comprimise after another to accomodate the low price point, as there is no free lunch, so for the
same money you can easily buy a wonderful Vintage table that has
a dramatically better build quality and sonic potential.I believe the MMF 5 has to be pretty much the biggest bang for the buck on currently MFG. TT, the 7 MMF is a compelling value and a
definate step up, and I think despite it's relative obscurity the MMF 9 is a very serious value in a modest higher end table, those are BTW Project TT's.
Follow Ups:
Well the MMF5 has certainly receive rave reviews from the press. Unfortunately they were also quite enthusiastic about the POS MMF2 that I purchased. Sure it was "only" $300 but the construction quality looked like it should have sold for $150. It is possible to buy a budget component and still feel ripped off. I also think that many times a manufacturer's philosophy or style is consistent at both ends of the price spectrum. i.e. even a low end BMW has good driving dynamics while a high end Buick is still a softly suspended boat. If I buy a low end product from a manufacturer and it is a poorly designed overpriced junker, I would not buy another product from them. The MMF 5 and 7 may in fact be decent tables but I won't be purchasing one.
FYI: I just bought and VPI Scout and it is built like a tank.
Bob, I think Music Hall listened to the complaints about the mmf-2 and made some important upgrades to that turntable with the mmf-2.1. Granted, they weren't major upgrades, they couldn't be and still have a turntable that sells for $300 USD incl. cartridge, as Fred mentioned. But for those looking for an entry level belt-driven turntable with cartridge installed, the mmf-2.1 is a good choice. Vintage turntables have their strong points and appeal but for many (including myself) it's a risk and uncertainty that new turntables (usually) avoid.My positive opinion about the mmf-2.1 is even based on a bad experience with a defective part and poor customer service from Music Hall. Once everything was worked out though, I had a turntable that sounded pretty darn good (much better than a cheap table and I had one of those.) Plus, I could mess around with it to learn about the basics of turntable design and adjustment and not worry that I might screw up an expensive turntable or cartridge. You could make the same case with a used/vintage turntable, but there isn't a new condition starting point. A newbie with a screwed up used/vintage cartridge/turntable is in for some frustration and little or no recourse to have the "sold as is" problem resolved. Perhaps the best case is to demo and purchase a quality used turntable from a stereo shop. But many of us do not have that option.
Even with the problems I had with the mmf-2.1, I'd still buy another one if I was starting out. I even bought another Music Hall turntable when I upgraded. It arrived in perfect condition with the cartridge set up very accurately. No adjustments needed. I'm not implying that Music Hall turntables are the best choice for the money, but they are a good option if you want to buy new.
I'm fairly confident that if VPI or anyone else marketed a $300
table it wouldn't be much, how could it ?
Well there are a bunch of Japanese turntables under $300. I haven't heard any of them except the manual Sony at $150 (my local used vinyl shop uses one because it's cheap) and it sounded at least as good as my MMF2 and looked to be better built. I have seen the Thorens TD170 on line for under $400 and it looks OK. Every manufacturer has a lower quality limit below which they simply won't put their name on something. As I said, the MMF5 and 7 may be fine machines. My MMF 2's bearing assembly was evidence that either a. They don't know beans about how to design a platter bearing, or b. they just don't care. The error I am talking about would not have made the TT more expensive if done right. I am voting with my wallet and won't buy another product from them. Roy Hall is responsive and seems like a nice guy so this is not personal. Its simply that there are other brands out there and at $500 and up I would simply choose one of them instead.
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