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I'm Stuck, MMF9 vs. MMF7 vs. Scout vs. Space deck

I realize yes the Scout and the Space deck will be the better piece's overall. Currently I am in the market for this range of turntable, however the real problems with the Nottingham and Vpi designs are "No" hinged dustcover... This is a must in my home, with animals running around etc... I realize there is a dustcover for these models but simply a pick it up and drop over style, I do not want this, it has to be attachable. Beyond this my only other option is to Wall mount a shelf and use my 3" thick Maple butcher block under the table to hopefully isolate it resonably about 5ft in the air, this is not an easy option at all, and really do not want to do this, and really do not like all the dust that will be continuosly on the table.

--So part 2 of the question, I am considering saveing a lot of hassel and cost, and going with a music hall 7 or 9 that have hinged dust covers.

--Question 2.5 of this is , are the increases the 9 over the 7 worth it? I have been reading many prefer the 7 still, but I also read the Arms are JUNK, on music hall tables.

--Question 3, I will really never go any cartridge higher than a Dynavector 10x, or possibly shelter 501, so are the music hall arms just completly a waste for running these types of cartridges, can they even sound good? Are the music halls arms really that bad in comparison to the Jwm or Spacearm?

I really do want a scout or nottingham, but also do not want the fortune invested not being in an easy position for use and saftey and do not want to put a cardboard box over it everytime its in Use and not in use.

Thanks I really appreciate the effort in helping toward a simple solution here, mainly if any glimer of hope exists for the music hall's then that may be the best end game for me.
matrix
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I'll second Jependleton on the MMF-7. I'm not convinced that the MMF-9 is worth the extra money. I had a MMF-7 for a year and a half before I moved up to my Basis 2500. The 7 is a very good performer, perhaps a bit dark and speed challenged but not out of line considering the price point. A used MMF-7 in good shape is a huge bargain. As for cartridges, I used a Shure V15VxMR (if you can still find one) and I would bet that a Benz Glider (~$800) would work very nicely on the Project arm.

You will want to remove the dust cover while playing. Very easy to slide on and off the hindges.
robm321
932 posts
 
I've also had the MMF7 and I have the VPI Scout now. I've used it with the Dyna 10x and now have the Dyna 17d2mkII. The MMF7 is a great TT for the money, and worth it. The VPI is better IMHO. If you can find a clear (plastic or glass) cover to put over the whole TT (not just the platter, it wouldn't be much of an inconvenience. I mean you ARE into vinyl, so convenience isn't your first priority. But either way you'll be doing good. They are both good players and match with your Dyna cartridge.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
As Dan_Ed mentioned, it is all but universally agreed that an attached dust cover is sonically detrimental. Attaching a large, resonating sound trap to your turntable is not the way to get the best music from your investment. If you're going to lift the cover off its hinges during play anyway, as most do, the better tables plus a Gingko cover become equally viable, from the dust cover perspective.

FWIW, we have two cats and (judging by the volume of cat hair) several dozen more that we've never seen. Despite this my table and arm are uncovered. It just means a bit of dusting or an occasional blast with compressed air. Of course if your animals would be unnaturally curious about objects like tonearms and cartridges that's a different matter.
matrix OP
305 posts
 
Okay, I like to keep things simple so I have just made a deal on a excellent used MMF7 with no Cart. about 440 for the table seems pretty damn good at about 2 years old, So I am going for that, the VPI is nice but again at about 1/3 the cost used for the music hall thats I think serious enough for my vinyl taste, and besides I am not looking to obsolete my Cd because it is very good overall and haveing a lot more invested in something in the range of the space deck or Vpi I would be almost obligated to use it far more than anything else, but I might be about a 50/50 guy so this is enough of depth into the vinyl when I look at priceing on these things. Thanks for the help and it looks that for the true bottom line priceing and performance without spending in the upwards of 2500/table and arm, and 1000 extra on a cartridge this will be the best to suit my needs.
robm321
932 posts
 
Congratulations!

You are right - when I got my VPI, I stopped listening to CDs, it wasn't worth the time. I listen to them now. The Music hall is something you will enjoy, no doubt. You got a good deal too.
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