Music Hall MMF-5.1 or Project RM-5SE

Vic... You're right, they both come out of the same factory. They are advertised as a lot of bang for the buck, so I bought in as well. I just could not get the sound that I wanted, so they didn't do it for me. I ended up with a Rega and am very pleased... really sounds musical.

Before you jump again, look around as there are many good turntables. I came down to the VPI or Rega and am happy with the decision.

Paul

the same table most likely both are made in Czekoslavakia. Not that this is a bad thing but they are made to a very low price point. Stay with the Hall right now and save your pennies for an upgrade down the road. I would look to improve the table by experimenting with different isolation platforms and if you upgrade in the future. The new table can still be used with the platform you are using for the Hall.

I had an MMF 5.1, and I thought it was a decent table. My daughter has it now, and I still hear it and enjoy it when I'm over at her house. I upgraded to a VPI Scoutmaster and there is no comparison whatsoever. Obviously, the VPI cost a lot more, but that's about the price range where you start getting heavy duty high-end performance. There's a lot of choices in that price range, so look around and see what you find.
I see that Music Direct is selling the VPI Scout for $1,399 right now. That's a pretty nice price (no cartridge, though). There's also the Marantz TT-15 which comes with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartrige for $1,595 and there's a demo unit for $1,395. That seems like a pretty good price, too, considering the quality cartridge it comes with. I would definitely save up a little money and upgrade to a table that's significantly better.
Good luck.

If you hear any motor noise at all, there is a problem. Period. I would call the dealer and discuss it. (Is it new?)

Assuming you have already made up your mind to upgrade, and you are just putting feelers out there :) I would recommend the RM5SE. I have the Xperience and I LOVE it. For the reasons you mention, too. The cf tonearm is astounding and will mate with very high end cartridges. The optional speed box is reputed to be a nice upgrade, too, but I did not need it for mine - is very stable without it.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Schipo, the turntable is on its own table resting on a concrete slab floor. I listen to it through headphones. So there are no vibrations induced through the floor or by speakers. The only vibrations come from the turntable itself. So I would think isolation accessories are unwarranted here.

Don, I have received two new MMF 5.1 and both have the low, but audible-when-the-room-is-quiet, electronic sound from the motor. According to my seller, Music Hall listened to the one that I returned and there is nothing wrong with it. "It meets spec and has no more motor noise than they typically make." It is more motor noise than my 38 year old direct drive Pioneer. And I don't recall any of my other old inexpensive turntables from decades past making any motor noise that I was aware of.

I am a little impatient to have a better turntable and don't know when I would get around to upgrading (other pieces to upgrade by and by). I was wondering if the the Pro-Ject, with the carbon fiber tonearm and Sumiko Blue Point 2 was ~$200 better than the Music Hall (alloy tonearm with Goldring 2200) and a worthwhile turntable to have for a while. On the other hand, impatience is what landed me with the MMF 5.1 which is reasonably ok, but not quite what I thought it would be.