I'm Stuck, MMF9 vs. MMF7 vs. Scout vs. Space deck


I realize yes the Scout and the Space deck will be the better piece's overall. Currently I am in the market for this range of turntable, however the real problems with the Nottingham and Vpi designs are "No" hinged dustcover... This is a must in my home, with animals running around etc... I realize there is a dustcover for these models but simply a pick it up and drop over style, I do not want this, it has to be attachable. Beyond this my only other option is to Wall mount a shelf and use my 3" thick Maple butcher block under the table to hopefully isolate it resonably about 5ft in the air, this is not an easy option at all, and really do not want to do this, and really do not like all the dust that will be continuosly on the table.

--So part 2 of the question, I am considering saveing a lot of hassel and cost, and going with a music hall 7 or 9 that have hinged dust covers.

--Question 2.5 of this is , are the increases the 9 over the 7 worth it? I have been reading many prefer the 7 still, but I also read the Arms are JUNK, on music hall tables.

--Question 3, I will really never go any cartridge higher than a Dynavector 10x, or possibly shelter 501, so are the music hall arms just completly a waste for running these types of cartridges, can they even sound good? Are the music halls arms really that bad in comparison to the Jwm or Spacearm?

I really do want a scout or nottingham, but also do not want the fortune invested not being in an easy position for use and saftey and do not want to put a cardboard box over it everytime its in Use and not in use.

Thanks I really appreciate the effort in helping toward a simple solution here, mainly if any glimer of hope exists for the music hall's then that may be the best end game for me.
matrix
Dollar for dollar it's tough to beat the 7 and/or 9. The arms are not "junk" but at the same time will not track more expensive cartridges very well. The Dynavector may work in the Project arm but the Shelter won't. The JMW-9 is not much of an improvement and the Spacearm is marginally better. Unless you're prepared to invest significantly more than what a 7 or 9 costs, I'd stay there.
I've had the MMF-7 for some time and have had no problem with the tonearm, or any other component for that matter. In fact, it seems to have a more pleasing sound than the Rega P3 that it replaced. I have had a number of turntable set-ups in the price range of the MMF-7 over the years and would have to say that the MMF-7 is the best of the lot. I have it sitting on a Bright Star Big Rock, which is sitting on a stereo rack. This seems to isolate the turntable from vibration reasonably well.
I have an MMF-7 and have been very pleased with it. I do not have a depth of listening experience (just recently jumped into entry-level audiophole vinyl), but I know it is head and shoulders above what a CC or BB $89 turntable would have offered. I have read, in professional reviews and write-ups here, that the mmf-9 is not worth the extra $.

Have you looked at the Rega P25? Their tonearms are supposed to be the gold-standard, and I believe that one has a hinged dust cover.

Good luck.