MUSIC HALL MMF-2.1 Audiophile Turntable

Other products by Music Hall

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 16.5 x 4.5 inches ; 19 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 19.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000BD31ZC
• Item model number: 2.1
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #353 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

Product Description

Product Description

MUSIC HALL MMF-2.1 - For the audio connoisseur with champagne taste and beer budget, the MMF-2.1 is a true find. This belt-driven, 2-speed (33-1/3 & 45 RPM) turntable boasts a high quality tone arm and a factory mounted Goldring Elan cartridge.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value for the money, July 25, 2006

By	Eric Sarjeant (Bonita Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews

My local electronics superstore has a small assortment of cheap plastic turntables for sale. The Music Hall MMF is a quantum leap beyond anything you will find in the isles of mass produced consumer electronics.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this design is the relocation of the power supply to an external adapter. This means the transformer is not encased within the turntable but is in fact outside the unit altogether. Obviously, since transformers can make noise this has an audible affect on the quality of your sound. The other striking feature is the lack of any electronic wizardry. There are no buttons to start or stop the tonearm, and the turntable is not automatic, simply start the platter turning and use a small lever to hoist the tonearm onto the LP.

While I am altogether thrilled with my MMF-2.1, there are some awkward features worth noting. Getting the tonearm properly balanced with the correct amount of tracking was extremely tricky. Skating is controlled using a thin plastic fishing wire and the tonearm is counterbalanced using a weight that requires fine tuning before it will balance properly. While this might take you an hour or so, it was well worth the effort.

My other challange was changing the needle from the stock Grado. This was also particularly tricky to get mounted and lined up properly, it would have helped if the needle headshell could be easily removed. Fortunately, switching out your needle is a rare event and will require rebalancing in any case.

Highly recommended if you are in the market for an audiophile grade turntable and are willing to spend a little time to get yourself setup.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ok but you can do better, November 17, 2005

By	dmill89 "dm89" - See all my reviews

I looked at the mmf 2.1 at my local hiFi shop and It is ok for a $300 turntable and I might have bought it but they happened to have the Goldring GR 1.2 (Rega P2 with a Goldring electra cartridge)which normally costs $475 on sale for $300. After hearing the Goldring I could tell it was a far seperior product. The Goldring tracks better due to it's Rega RB250 tonearm and elektra cartridge which has an eliptical stylus as aposed to the conicle stylus on the elan cartridge that the mmf 2.1 includes. The Goldring also seemed to be made better (smoother motor and bearings,MDF platter that absorbs vibration).If your on a tight budget the mmf 2.1 is ok but if you have an extra $175 or you find a turntable like the Goldring GR 1.2 on sale you can get a much better turntable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Motor and mounts could be better, February 6, 2008

By	junk collector "Sam" (Antartica, GA) - See all my reviews

I bought this deck a few years ago and at first I was really impressed with the sound quality, the cartridge, and the overall "bang for the buck". However, after a year,the sound quality started to diminish. I checked everything I could think of, until I lifted up the platter and found that the motor mount had snapped causing a vibration on the plinth.

It appears that music hall uses a really cheap motor mount made out of an elastic-like substance that degrades from the excess thermal energy produced by the motor. There is no "clean" way of fixing this either. Rubber bands do an insufficient job at balancing the motor completely level as well.

In summary, if you want an entry level turntable that is great for about a year and you rarely play records, then purchase this deck. If you only play lps look for something that is a bit sturdier in build.

Also, if you ever want to change the cartridge or disconnect it for whatever reason, be extremely careful that the thin wires do not break off. If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can always fix it, but still it is a pain.

On a side note, I fitted the music hall arm onto my old AR turntable and it plays beautifully.(I just love that hanging weight for the anti-skate)