Which TT is the best for the $$$?

ND13

Thorens TD190-1 or the MH MMF5? They are both similarly priced at around $500 NIB from the reatailers I've been dealing with.

So vinyl gurus, which one??

Dennis Gardner

I prefer the mmf-5.....the Goldring is a much better cartridge than the Ortofon on the Thorens.

As with so many other items in audio, at the budget mentioned, the best $500 turntable will be the $1000-$1500 model that never saw any usage since CDs are really much easier due to the time and effort taken to tweak the TT properly.

Synergy between table, cart, and preamp is paramount to great sound. Rarely is the best sound a turn-key product in the world of vinyl.

RuSsMaN

Ed Zachry.

Get the best platter / arm that you can now, and plan for the cart later if need be. Given the two choices, and as much as I love the Swiss arms on the (vintage) Thorens - you'll probably get more mileage out of the Music Hall.

Want my personal opinion, new in box? Get a Rega P2 and forget about both the tables you mentioned. Throw a Sumiko Blue Point EVO III on it, and you'll be 'right there'.

Cheers,
Russ

TroyD

Personally...having been the inexpensive TT route, I enjoyed the MMF-5 and between that and the Thorens...the MMF-5 is a superior table.

That said, If you are serious about vinyl, I'd look higher up the food chain. The MMF-5 is a good table and gives you and idea of what vinyl is capable of but to get real performance, you have to look higher.

I also can't stress enough that unless you are willing to pony up the cash for a machine to clean the vinyl, you are wasting your money on a decent turntable.

Clearaudio makes a nice plug/play rig as do a few others Pro-ject, MMF-7 etc. but the VPI Scout is where I'd be looking.

BDT

BlueMDPicker

TroyD wrote:

I also can't stress enough that unless you are willing to pony up the cash for a machine to clean the vinyl, you are wasting your money on a decent turntable.

+1 - the VPI 16.5 takes the media to a state where it can be properly interpreted.

ND13

Don't worry, whichever way i go TT wise, I will be picking up a VPi vacuum cleaner.

cmy330go

All good suggestions so far. I have had extensive experience with the MMF-2.1, MMF-5, and MMF-7, and actually personally own the 2.1 and 7. I really can't say anything bad about any of them at their price points. I truly feel you have to spend considerably more money to out perform any of them.

If you have the extra coin I would say the VPI Scout is the most bang for the buck in any turntable.

If you are serious about the Music Hall or VPI give Stephen Monte a call at Quest for Sound in Bensalem, PA. Even after shipping charges he has always been the cheapest I could find, and you will NOT beat his level of service. He is always extremely willing to help.