music hall MMF 9.1 where are all the reviews?

Check out my replinthed MMF7,(if you bought motor, arm (demo), cart(Denon103r), platter, spindle - it would cost you under $1300 and IMHO it would killed it on the right plinth, hands down.)
I don't believe the difference between mmf7 and mmf9 is of catastrophic proportions. In that price range you have VPI and few others so it is you who will have to decide if it is worth it or not. VPI is a killer in that price range.IMO

Check this link, but its down toward the bottom of the page and is only an "upcoming review"

http://stereomojo.com/UpcomingReviews.html

yeah, i saw that too. The idea of building my own is quite attractive. If i were to do that though I'd want to do it up pretty seriously, and that would lead to more cost than i'm able to handle at the moment. Where do you find materials? are there resources for platters and such? or do you have to result to cannibalizing other set-ups?

You can buy the same motor (the one that mmf7 & mmf9 uses) for around $140 or less. Platter costs around $80. Belt sells for around $20-$30. And these are all MSRP. - if you shop around, you could get all that you need for around $200. Add plinth material ($50-$150). If you are handy and have basic tools - labor $0. If not - about $200 for a shop/time & help of the pro. Total - well....like you said, it depends on your design and budget. But it can be build for around $300-$400. All you have to do is add arm and cart of your choice.(for $600-$700 you can pick a really nice combo. Buy arm used or demo. Cart - new or demo from dealer)

TT parts are easy to get. Google - turntable parts, motor, platter etc. I think "needledoctor.com" have some parts but at full price.

Materials for plinth that worked for me in the past were:
MDF, Plywood- sandwiched layers and "Bamboo butcher-block".

My other table (X) is a lot more expencive and on par performance wise with TT costing X2 or X3 its price. Its construction is a lot more complicated and parts are of much better quality. Labor time is about 60h. Where "Bamboo plinth took about 12h and cost less to finish (sand, prime, seal, paint).

For me it is a hobby and hands-on education.
That is why I will never buy a ready TT for big chunk of $$$$, if I can build it myself and have a huge satisfaction by doing it.

i've looked around on google.

where did you get your motors? for the x tt as well as the platter? i was checking out synchronus ac motors but they all seem purposed for more industrial uses. what methods would there be for damping the sound, or is there a manufacturer out there that makes motors for such applications? or is the way to go... picking up a Music Hall motor and using it in what ever config. you want?