How do you choose a turntable ?

Maybe you are right, I would absolutely not argue with you. I can tell you that over 200 Holbo mk1 + mk2 turntables have been sold and that all customers use MC cartridges and seriously, I don't think any of them have MM. Personally, I can say that the Goldring 1042 is very good on a Holbo turntable.

I should also add, that a phono riaa preamp is useless without a subsonic filter! A subsonic filter is mandatory, regardless of which turntable/tonearm/cartridge you use.

The necessity of a subsonic filter really depends on a host of interactive variables including: your turntable, clamping, rack, floor, speaker ported vs. sealed, arm / cart, and how loud you play. If you have a setup that doesn’t generate anything near overload levels, nor discernible woofer flapping, then why incur the extra circuitry and artifacts of a filter?

RIAA IEC added a mild (6dB / octave) filter at 20Hz but it’s rarely made clear which phono stages implement this. It’s also not strong enough to solve major issues on its own. The KAB rumble filter is much more effective than this, but ideally you’d solve the root issue through mechanical optimizations. 

As smooth and friction free as the Clearaudio CMB bearing is, it can also be a subsonic / woofer flapping generator because of its vertical compliance. If you don’t completely structurally isolate these tables, a subsonic filter is needed to save your poor woofers. 

The Goldring 1042, the Ortofon 2M Black or LVB, and the Audio Technica LNMx series cartridges are all really superb cartridges that should not be over looked even for high priced turntables.  I will go out on a limb, only because I have not yet measured one, and predict that any of these could easily out perform any MC cartridge unless a subsonic filter is employed and that filter better be a good one.  

I should have said only because I haven’t measured one mounted on a Holbo.  I have measured all of these on other TTs.

I bought my table based on following criteria

1. Not too heavy

2. Not too big

3. Look nice and not all metal construction

4. Kindda thick deck but not too fat

5. Have a good vibration absorbing system

6. Separate speed control device

7. Reputable company I can call in case of emergency lol