I owned a music hall MMF-5 and it sounded really good for the $$; very good value. It was in my whole-house system which is not 2-channel. The MMF-9 sounds even better. But at that $$ point I agree with uppermidfi (above) that the Sota Star Sapphire with vaccuum is a wonderful route to take.
At your price range you can pick up a used unit or even a refurbished one from SOTA (?) and know with confidence that Donna at SOTA will be able to take care of any needs that may arise (if any ... the units are built strong).
I own said SOTA and would not trade it for a VPI. I also own a vintage Micro-Seiki of acclaim. I had also owned a vintage SOTA Star without vaccuum which had a very high sound reproduction quality, and, a newer REGA which my ears felt was overrated, very prone to impact of the slightest movements one might make anywhere near it (simply walking across the floor, touching the stand, etc.) and sort of sounded like some of the Music Hall MMF's but was higher priced.
So for comparison I find the sound eminating from the SOTA EXTREMELY rich, full-bodied, highly detailed. And it is DROP DEAD QUIET (no motor or vaccuum unit sound at all). Definately go for the vaccuum.
SOTA is little more difficult to set up then some others but worth the effort. I have the Rega RB300 OriginLive modified arm on mine which I find is quite good but it is the OL complete modification which is not cheap. I believe the Sumiko Premiere MMT might even improve performance and might have been a better route for me to take on the arm for probably the same investment.
At your price range you can pick up a used unit or even a refurbished one from SOTA (?) and know with confidence that Donna at SOTA will be able to take care of any needs that may arise (if any ... the units are built strong).
I own said SOTA and would not trade it for a VPI. I also own a vintage Micro-Seiki of acclaim. I had also owned a vintage SOTA Star without vaccuum which had a very high sound reproduction quality, and, a newer REGA which my ears felt was overrated, very prone to impact of the slightest movements one might make anywhere near it (simply walking across the floor, touching the stand, etc.) and sort of sounded like some of the Music Hall MMF's but was higher priced.
So for comparison I find the sound eminating from the SOTA EXTREMELY rich, full-bodied, highly detailed. And it is DROP DEAD QUIET (no motor or vaccuum unit sound at all). Definately go for the vaccuum.
SOTA is little more difficult to set up then some others but worth the effort. I have the Rega RB300 OriginLive modified arm on mine which I find is quite good but it is the OL complete modification which is not cheap. I believe the Sumiko Premiere MMT might even improve performance and might have been a better route for me to take on the arm for probably the same investment.