Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Music Hall mmf-7 Turntables by SirAnthony

Model:	mmf-7
Category:	Turntables
Suggested Retail Price:	$1000
Description:	belt drive/dual isolated plinths/stand alone motor/eroica ho mc
Manufacturer URL:	Music Hall
Manufacturer URL:	Music Hall

Review by SirAnthony ( A ) on July 13, 2004 at 19:02:39
IP Address: 24.7.168.204

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I have to start out saying my previous review was wrong! Some upgrades to my system made huge differences. First I made some CAT-5 DIY speaker cable. This was the best upgrade I have made to my system and only cost about $50 for all 5 speakers. I also upgraded my interconnects to Audioquest G-Snake. The result has my Integra DTR 5.3 sounding much much cleaner.
After the upgrades my MMF-7 with Eroica Maestro cart sounded much better. A deep and quiet soundstage. A level of sound quality I have never heard before. Meanwhile my MMF-5 sounds about the same. Over the last few months the MMF-7 gets more and more play while the MMF-5 gets less and less. The truth is the MMF-5 sounds downright noisy compared to the MMF-7.
I have posted a few times in the vinyl forum about how the MMF-5 sounds better than the MMF-7. Well I was wrong. My apoligies to anyone who made any decisions based on that opinion.
The Eroica Maestro cart has a very long break in period. I would guess I have between 100 and 200 hours on it. The sound has improved alot. The changes during break in happen so slowly that you don't realize the difference. But sometime after 100 hours this cart really stated to tickle my eardrums.
Then I did a comparison using the same albums on both the MMF-5 and MMF-7. The MMF-7 no longer lacks bass like it used to. It's just a different better kind of bass. Lower more extended and very pleasant sounding. The bass doesn't interfere with the rest of the music as much. I can turn up the sub more to compensate for albums that lack bass without mucking things up. I once said the MMF-7 lacked midrange warmth. I was wrong again. It's not warm in the same way as the 1042. It does not have nearly as much midrange as the Grado's. It has it's own midrange sound that is very pleasing and detailed but not overwhelming or lacking either. I also said that the 1042 was more detailed. Wrong again. The 1042 does pick up a little somthing more sometimes. But the noisy nature of that cart covers alot of detail also. With the clean sound of the MMF-7 you will hear much more. The MMF-7 isn't as picky as the MMF-5 about what albums are played and VTA isn't as criticle on each album. Once you get the MMF-7 dialed in, most albums will sound good. This TT should be played with the cover off. Especially at higher volumes as the cover resonates and creates feedback.
In my previous review I mentioned some design flaws. They are still there but when it sounds this good who cares.

Product Weakness: Some design flaws
Product Strengths: Clean detailed sound with a deep soundstage.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Integra DTR 5.3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	ASL mini phono, DV P-75
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	MMF-7
Speakers:	Axiom M80 front. Boston Acoustics VR950 rear. Paradigm center and a Def Tech sub.
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY CAT-5, G-Snake
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All kinds of music except Rap
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Some design flaws
Product Strengths:	Clean detailed sound with a deep soundstage.