Music Hall- MMF-7.1 Turntable

[EasyRiderNYC]

Greetings,

I've been thinking of purchasing a brand new turntable. This one has caught me eye (along with the VPI). I have two Phonos on my Pre and was thinking of letting the best spin win. Vintage VS. New. I'm also curious about a non suspended TT.

Anyone have one?

http://www.musicdirect.com/shared/images/products/large/mmf7_front.jpg

[Mr. Lin]

I'm sure it's a nice turntable, but in that price range I'd be looking at something similarly priced from Rega, Clearaudio, or even Pro-Ject before Music Hall, only because I read a lot of complaints about quality control with MH. For a little more money you could even get a Rega P5. I don't have any direct experience with these tts, so I'd hold on a bit until someone who does comes along.

That said, I think you're making the right choice putting this kind of money into a new turntable.

[bebopdeluxe]

I have the first generation MMF-7...bought it used on Audiogon...got it with a Benz Micro ACE cartridge ($750 for both), and I think that it is just SLAMMING "price/value".

Not a single problem...nothing.

[EasyRiderNYC]

Damn I have to admit, looks are a big thing to me and this is a looker. I'm not too keen on the Pro Jects.

[mhardy6647]

V P I :-)

[AU20K]

I'm not too keen on the Pro Jects.

Neither am I. I had a RM-9 and sold it after about 8 months. I too have been thinking about the MMF 7 or 7.1

What are the issue with QC? Is one likely to be great and the next one off the line crap? Or are they just a little sub standard for the price range?

Sorry if I hijacked this thread, but we may both benefit from the answers?!?!?

[Mr. Lin]

Neither am I. I had a RM-9 and sold it after about 8 months. I too have been thinking about the MMF 7 or 7.1

What are the issue with QC? Is one likely to be great and the next one off the line crap? Or are they just a little sub standard for the price range?

Sorry if I hijacked this thread, but we may both benefit from the answers?!?!?

I'm only pointing out that I have frequently read complaints about MH turntables on AK, but rarely about the other brands mentioned. Others, like the one person who already responded, are happy with them.

I don't disagree at all that this is a very nice looking turntable.

[m4rz]

I have to agree with Mr. Lin. I was looking for a new tt a couple of months ago, it was the MH 5.1. I read many posts from people that suggested MH had some issues. Consequently I didn't but one. I really did like the look of them though.

[TheCrunge]

I seem to remember reading that Project makes all the Music Hall tables. Someone correct me if I am wrong there.

[m4rz]

Yes something like thatl. I am not sure that project makes them, or if they are made at the same factory...can't remember

[bre's dad]

Go for the Rega P5. A few months ago I bought a P1 and though it looks cheaply built (they had to cut corners somewhere), it sounds outstanding. After the glass platter upgrade I realize I should have gotten the P2, but I'm very happy with it.

[Mr. Lin]

I seem to remember reading that Project makes all the Music Hall tables. Someone correct me if I am wrong there.

I think they're made in the same factory.

[Mr. Lin]

Go for the Rega P5. A few months ago I bought a P1 and though it looks cheaply built (they had to cut corners somewhere), it sounds outstanding. After the glass platter upgrade I realize I should have gotten the P2, but I'm very happy with it.

This is what I would do in your position.

[Art K.]

I seem to remember reading that Project makes all the Music Hall tables. Someone correct me if I am wrong there.

Made in the same factory, however ProJect has fewer problems and Music Hall does not support their products as well as Sumiko does. I have a MH 2.2LE (as well as a Rega P5) which I picked up in trade for some vintage gear and the immediately had a problem (spindle crooked in the subplatter). The only reason I went for the Music Hall is because I needed a table for my second system and I knew the dealer would back it up even if Music Hall wouldn't... I was right. He sent me a new subplatter and told me that he would deal with Music Hall. In Roy Hall's defense I sent Music Hall 2 emails recently asking for info on my Creek amp and Roy himself answered them......on Sunday.

[Mr. Lin]

Made in the same factory, however ProJect has fewer problems and Music Hall does not support their products as well as Sumiko does. I have a MH 2.2LE (as well as a Rega P5) which I picked up in trade for some vintage gear and the immediately had a problem (spindle crooked in the subplatter). The only reason I went for the Music Hall is because I needed a table for my second system and I knew the dealer would back it up even if Music Hall wouldn't... I was right. He sent me a new subplatter and told me that he would deal with Music Hall. In Roy Hall's defense I sent Music Hall 2 emails recently asking for info on my Creek amp and Roy himself answered them......on Sunday.

I assume you prefer the P5?

[Art K.]

Go for the Rega P5. A few months ago I bought a P1 and though it looks cheaply built (they had to cut corners somewhere), it sounds outstanding. After the glass platter upgrade I realize I should have gotten the P2, but I'm very happy with it.


Save yourself some bucks and buy the P3-24 with the external power supply. Almost as good as the P5 and you'd need the power supply with the P5 anyway (sounds great with mine). Pick up a Dynavector 10x5 to go with the P3-24 and you will have a smokin' analog rig...

[Art K.]

I assume you prefer the P5?

Yeah...definitely!

I will be adding the Speed Box II to my MMF2.2 this week and as soon as I sell another piece I will buy the Acryl-It platter...then I will put my Ortofon 2M Red on it and see what's shakin'.

[Art K.]

BTW it was the sexy Ferrari Red that sold me on the 2.2. Kinda cool in a second system.

To the OP the P3-24 is an outstanding bargain and becomes even more of one with the external power supply.

[Alaric]

I have a mmf-5SE and have had no problems. They are built in the same Czech factory as ProJect , and have a ProJect arm. The VPI is a very nice table , and if you spend more you'll probably get more . For the money , I have no complaints regarding the Music Hall. My $.02

[Art K.]

I have a mmf-5SE and have had no problems. They are built in the same Czech factory as ProJect , and have a ProJect arm. The VPI is a very nice table , and if you spend more you'll probably get more . For the money , I have no complaints regarding the Music Hall. My $.02

The problems with the Music Hall's only start after you have a problem and that's the issue. Company support when you have a problem is not there with Music Hall and it is much better with Sumiko. I have 3 MH dealers who will back me up on that. Note I have an MH table...if you have a good dealer who will deal with Music Hall if there is a problem (and not keep you hangin' while Music Hall dinks around) then go forth without fear.

[Mr. Lin]

Yeah...definitely!

I will be adding the Speed Box II to my MMF2.2 this week and as soon as I sell another piece I will buy the Acryl-It platter...then I will put my Ortofon 2M Red on it and see what's shakin'.

I guess considering your signature that's a no-brainer.

[Art K.]

I noticed a beautiful MMF 5.1SE over at Agon for a good price...looks like new.

[classic carl]

I bought a Music Hall MMF-5.1 last fall and am very happy with it. I've not had any issues with mine.
Music Hall does use Pro-ject tonearms, but I don't know if the TT's are made in the same factory. The 7.1, like the 5.1 is indeed a looker. See my Avatar. I'm using the Music Hall along with my 33 year old Dual 1249. I usually start the eveing with the manual 5.1 and as the evening progresses and I get lazy, I switch to the fully automatic Dual.

[Bigerik]

Yupper,
Pro_ject and Music Hall come out of the same factory.
I never have liked the feet on the mmf-5, but otherwise it is a very nice table.

[BrocLuno]

What about a new Thorens? They look sharp and I don't doubt they sound outstanding :)

[mhardy6647]

Most of the Thorenses are pretty pricey; and the inexpensive (sub-$1k) ones look sort of chintzy to me (on paper; haven't seen one in the flesh).

[jcmjrt]

I think it has already been mentioned but talk with the dealer and make sure that the dealer will correct any issues and NOT make you wait for MH to make good. I would ask that question of the dealer no matter what brand I was going to purchase. Any TT may have problems.
I think that it's a nice looking table as well.

[EasyRiderNYC]

Czech?

[Fisherdude]

Well, I'll chime in with y'all.

I have an MMF-5 that I bought new from a dealer. Zero problems. There was a glitch in the setup instructions...it said to install the platter, and THEN the belt. What? So I called and talked to whoever answered the phone. We had a good laugh over it, they said the typo was being corrected in the next set of shipments, and that was it.

Oh, and I love the 'table!:thmbsp:

[jcmjrt]

Clay, did you hear the MMF 5 on the Quad system at the Fest? Sure sounded nice...of course, a few thousand dollars worth of electronics does help :D

[Fisherdude]

Clay, did you hear the MMF 5 on the Quad system at the Fest? Sure sounded nice...of course, a few thousand dollars worth of electronics does help :D

I prefer to think that only the source really matters!:yes:

[EasyRiderNYC]

Anyone have a Sota. i have a Rega 300 arm now for one.

[Mr. Lin]

Anyone have a Sota. i have a Rega 300 arm now for one.

They're supposed to be pretty great turntables.

[AU20K]

Anyone have a Sota. i have a Rega 300 arm now for one.

Actually, now that I have learned that the MF tables may be problematic, I have moved to considering a Sota from the same approximate price range. Back to the drawing board (I love it).

[Mark W.]

One of the Sota tables at the FEST an Oak colored one had some of the nastiest looking holes drilled in the arm board for the mounting screws, Looked like they did it with a high speed apple corer. I wasn't impressed. I used to make handmade pocket knives at .0005" tolerances and I tend to be very picky about machine work. I have been over my Pro-Ject RM-5 with a 10X loop and a flashlight and the quality of work suits me just fine. Now that says nothing about any other table including the next RM-5 from the line. But in my case with both my older 1.2 and the bought new RM-5 I'm hapy enough to be looking at a second 1.2 to modify into a vintage looking table for a tube system I will be putting together next winter.

YMMV

[AU20K]

Good info. I am actually now leaning toward a JA Mitchell TecnoDec. That looks like a very nice-for-the-money piece of equipment.

[Art K.]

Sounds like that hole was drilled by someone other than Sota. Their tables are very good quality.