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Rega P3 / Music Hall MMF 5 or 7 Turntable decision

I finally built a decent digital system that I have coveted for about the last ten years. After reading forums here and elsewhere on the Internet, I would like to get an analog front end. I do not currently have a large number of records (less that 30) and would like to keep my budget around $1000.00. I already have a phono preamp.

I have been leaning towards the Music Hall MMF 5 or 7. I am really tempted to buy the MMF 7. I love the new design!! I have also considered the Rega P3 or P2. For the Rega, I would like the newest model with the new design.

I am very green when it comes to analog and would love to get insights from those of you that have thoughts about the Rega P3 compared to the Music Hall MMF 7 or 5. I would also like to find out if I am overlooking any options. Is the MMF 5 comparable to the Rega P3 or is the MMF 7 a better comparison with the P3? I will most likely buy new since I am not finding a high number of these items here or at the other normal places on the Internet.

I have researched here and elsewhere extensively on Music Hall, Rega, Basis and others and could not find any detailed comparisons related to these brands. I also checked Audioasylum and Audioreview among others. I am looking for information like feature relevant to good sound, quality of design, sound quality and long term use potential. I really want to hear from people that have experiences with multiple brands or have done research on multiple brands.

Just as background, I know the background related to the Regas being durable and about their long history and strong reputation. I know that the Rega tonearms are very well respected. I also know that the Music Hall are made in the same plant as the Project turntables and the build quality might be suspect and that the Project tonearms are not as well respected as the Rega arms.

I listen to mostly jazz(Bill Evans, Jane Monheit, Dave Douglas, Charlie Mingus, Stan Getz, Nina Simone, Dianne Reeves, Groover Washington, Yellowjackets, Miles Davis, John Scofield, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitgerald, Dexter Gordan, Gil Evans, Kenny Barron, Don Byron, Eric Dolphy, Jim Hll, Michael Brecker, Keith Jarrett and Betty Carter). I do not know if this helps, but this is what my current system looks like:

Rega RCD 971 CD Player
Bel Canto 1.1 DAC
Rotel RQ-970BX Phone Preamp
Adcom GFP 750 Preamplifier
Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks
Magnepan 1.6 Q.Rs
Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables bi-wired
Acoustic Zen Matrix interconnects DAC to preamp
Acoustic Zen Matrix interconnects preamp to amps
Acoustic Zen MC2 Digital cable CD Player to DAC
Harmonic Technology Pro AC 11 Power cords for Monoblocks, preamp and DAC
resh2001

Showing 4 responses by psychicanimal

psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
"I would also like to find out if I am overlooking any options."

YES YOU ARE.

I looked at those options, too (also the Sota Comet)...then read in audioreview.com about modifying the Technics SL-1200MKII. The 1200 is by far the most well rounded TT under $1000. Built like a tank, too!

The Rega arm is way overrated. Also, glass and particle board doesn't seem to do anything for me.

I bought a 1200 brand new for $450 and still in the process of modifying it (only need to get the tonearm fluid damper, change the tonearm wires and hook a low output MC).

Goto www.kabusa.com/

If you can't stand being mocked because you have a 'DJ turntable' then the Sota Comet with the RB300 arm should be your first choice. It was my runner up.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
If you take the rubber mat out of the 1200, replace it with a felt one and install a DJ cartridge w/short canitlever and tracking at five grams, it will sound like a tank. If you do the modifications that's a different story...

This is a quote from Extremephono:

"Personally, the RB arms are over-hyped, cheap no doubt, but it has no VTA which limits ability to work with various cartridges (after market Rega VTA kits are available but why bother ?)."

Does Rega publish bearing specifications for their tonearms?
Technics does. Pretty good, by the way...and you get simple, easy to use VTA adjustment.

One of my trusted salesmen sells Music Hall and VPI. He told me the 7 is not worth the money when one can get a VPI Jr. Much better TT. He still agrees that for under $1000 I made the right choice. So does Bill Parish of GTT Audio and ALL my other trusted salepeople. They know my listening room is for musical, video and other types of enjoyment and relaxation, not a Voodoo Lounge.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Coolness factor...the Technics comes in a black version.

I see your point, though. Take a look at the Sota Comet, then. It is very beautiful. They are made here in Chicago Metro. You could get a good used arm for it (SME?). Thanks for reading my posts. It took me a while before realizing the 1200 would be the best choice for my budget. Although it has a resonant aluminum platter (damped on the underside) and chassis, it is surprisingly quiet. Like any DD, it must be properly isolated. I am working on designing a granite shield for it. The silicone fluid damper is what makes the system work right, but I have still to get it. Want new racks first.

Jimbo, the VPI w/flywheel is not my dream table. Technics does not make the high end TTs anymore. If you read posts from people that have owned several megabuck tables you'll find that those higher end Technics are awesome. Of the currently made TTs the VPI is one hell of a beast. No doubt. As for the electric brake, it is extremely convenient for people like me who play lots of records. Just in case, I will not modify the electric brake like DJs do...

Again, the 1200 was designed as a budget audiophile TT. I know it's not for everybody, but should always be considered in the under $1000 category. Especially because it's still made by the thousands and the customer benefits from the economies of scale. That's why they can put such good bearings on the tonearm.

Peace to all.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Agree with Jimbo. Get something like a Benz Ace or similar.

If you want a fast, responsive cartridge for the jazz drums, I've been hearing really good things about the Ortofon Kontrapunkt A, but it's a low output MC.

I trust the Needledoctor kids. They get to play around with lots of cartridges on different TTs. Guess which is the most popular TT among them...

Hint: It's direct drive...
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