Music Hall MMF 2.1 Turntable

AndyGwis

Hey All,

So, I was really wanting to take home some Paradigm Studio 20 v3s I found locally on eBay, but got sniped at the last minute and came in second.

As a consolation prize, I won this somewhat local Music Hall MMF 2.1: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=140118758798&rd=1&rd=1

What can I do about the missing tonearm counterweight? Is there a replacement part, or am I looking at having to get a whole new tonearm? What else would I need to do to get it up and running?

Russ is going to help me calibrate it, but I want to at least have all the parts needed before having him assist me. Let me know what options I might have.

cstpeter

Nice find! Have you tried contacting Music Hall to ask about replacement counterweights?

MUSIC HALL
108 STATION ROAD,
GREAT NECK, NY,11023
Tel: 516 487 3663
Fax: 516 773 3891

Good luck!

AndyGwis

I emailed them last night. Will try to call if I have a free moment here at work. Honestly, I've read their CS isn't quite up to snuff (just from reviews, not personal experience) so I wanted to see what other options might be available.

AndyGwis

Spoke with Leland over at Music Hall. Sounds like a small shop they have over there. I can get the replacement counterweight for $30+shipping, so I guess I will just do that.

$30 for a weight the size of a thumb seems a little pricey, but I guess that's high end audio for you. Guess I'll still get out with a good table for around $120, if I can pick this thing up from the seller.

cstpeter

Cool! I doubt you'll be disappointed, especially for that price.

I have a Pro-Ject Xpression, which is a very similar TT (I believe they are made in the same factory). If you decide you want to tweak it a little, I highly recommend the Pro-Ject Speed Box, which made a dramatic improvement on my rig.

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ASUMSPEEDBOX

I also upgraded the cartridge to a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, which was another big improvement.

Have fun.

Frank Z

I've been using a 2.1 for a few years....you'll like it.

cmy330go

The 2.1 is an outstanding value, especially at that price (even with the price of the weight). I've had mine now for about 2 years and couldn't be much happier with it. In my opinion it is the best option in that price range, mainly because most other tables of similar price do not offer a fully adjustable tonearm.

In regards to Music Hall's customer service....I have been very pleased with them. I've contacted them on a number of occasions, and have always received prompt, knowledgeable, and friendly service. Both Leland and Roy are great guys to deal with.

Enjoy your new toy!!!!

cmy330go

I was just noticing that in the photos the table is missing the anti-skate counter-weight. You may want to check into that.

AndyGwis

Yeah, I called today and they told me I would need to buy the antiskate weight, too.

So, gonna cost me $47 for the two weights to get this thing running. They want $50 for the dust-cover. Definitely not buying the cover. These replacement parts are a ripoff.

cmy330go

Even with the extra money you've had to spend you still got an excellent deal.

BTW....If you didn't get a copy of the manual, let me know and I can e-mail it to you.

AndyGwis

yeah, there was another 2.1 with a ding on the table, a "foggy" cover, etc. on ebay that went for $255 this weekend. So, I guess I did alright. Plus, MF takes paypal, and I have some of that lying around. Have money in paypal is like having poker chips in Vegas, you forget it's real money.

hearingimpared

AndyGwis wrote: »

$30 for a weight the size of a thumb seems a little pricey, but I guess that's high end audio for you. Guess I'll still get out with a good table for around $120, if I can pick this thing up from the seller.

That really isn't a bad price. I paid $30 plus shipping for a friggin screw for my SME V tonearm!!!

AndyGwis

That really isn't a bad price. I paid $30 plus shipping for a friggin screw for my SME V tonearm!!!

That actually makes me feel much better. Thanks, Hearing!

Joey_V

cstpeter wrote: »

Cool! I doubt you'll be disappointed, especially for that price.

I have a Pro-Ject Xpression, which is a very similar TT (I believe they are made in the same factory). If you decide you want to tweak it a little, I highly recommend the Pro-Ject Speed Box, which made a dramatic improvement on my rig.

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ASUMSPEEDBOX

I also upgraded the cartridge to a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, which was another big improvement.

Have fun.

Chris,

You're going to be my pointman when I buy a TT....

Joey

engtaz

How is the TT coming along.

AndyGwis

Just sent them some paypal funds for the parts earlier this week. So, probably going to be a week or so till they get in.

MH seems like a really small operation, btw.

Anyway, Russman says he'll help me get it calibrated, which will be much appreciated as I have zero TT experience. I plan to pay him for his efforts with one of my several new Captain and Tenile albums that came in a box of vinyl I bought.

cmy330go

cstpeter wrote: »

Cool! I doubt you'll be disappointed, especially for that price.

I have a Pro-Ject Xpression, which is a very similar TT (I believe they are made in the same factory). If you decide you want to tweak it a little, I highly recommend the Pro-Ject Speed Box, which made a dramatic improvement on my rig.

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ASUMSPEEDBOX

I also upgraded the cartridge to a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, which was another big improvement.

Have fun.

Just wanted to let you know that the Pro-Ject Speed Box will not work with the MMF-2.1. It will only work with the tables that have a separate power supply.

AndyGwis

Just received the package from MF. The antiskate is pretty much fishing line and a pencil eraser sized weight. The Counterweight weighs about an ounce.

So, $47 later, I should be ready to get this thing up and running.

CMY330GO, I'll take a copy of the manual if you can email, fax, pidgeon one over to me. And, thanks for the update on the Speed Box, but I wasn't likely going down that road anyway.

cmy330go

Here is the manual.

AndyGwis

Thanks!

cmy330go

No problem!

I'm really anxious to hear what you think of it. I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it.

AndyGwis

Okay, so got it set up. Again, I have zero TT competency, so I'm just happy sound is coming out of it.

I'm getting crazy Rice Krispies, tho. . . Snap, Crackle, and Pop.

Must be dirty vinyl. Is it okay to just attack it with paper towel and warm water? Also, the first record I popped on seems to be spinning less than flat. Hope it's the record, not the table. Maybe I should go through this box of vinyl and find one that looks cleaner, flatter before I make any decisions on this format and player.

I'll have to have Russ check out my counterweight work. I wasn't real confident in going by the manual's setup suggestion. Set it with the lever up, but you play records with the lever down?

One thing is for sure, tho, it looks 300% better than these old automatic TTs I have. Although, those were pretty convenient for listening with play, stop, rewind, FF, etc.

izafar

Paper towel and water wouldn't work. In the absence of a proper cleaning agent, you need to make your own using distilled water and alcohol. Search the forum for good record cleaning solution recipie.

hearingimpared

AndyGwis wrote: »

Okay, so got it set up. Again, I have zero TT competency, so I'm just happy sound is coming out of it.

I'm getting crazy Rice Krispies, tho. . . Snap, Crackle, and Pop.

Must be dirty vinyl. Is it okay to just attack it with paper towel and warm water? Also, the first record I popped on seems to be spinning less than flat. Hope it's the record, not the table. Maybe I should go through this box of vinyl and find one that looks cleaner, flatter before I make any decisions on this format and player.

I'll have to have Russ check out my counterweight work. I wasn't real confident in going by the manual's setup suggestion. Set it with the lever up, but you play records with the lever down?

One thing is for sure, tho, it looks 300% better than these old automatic TTs I have. Although, those were pretty convenient for listening with play, stop, rewind, FF, etc.

I would not play any records that have not been cleaned thoroughly. You will definitely damage the record by welding the crud to the vinyl grooves and the same would occur with your stylus. Rice krispies can also be caused by improper tonearm/cartridge setup. There are mucho cleaning systems out there, new, used, manual, automatic, vacuum, etc. I would figure out a budget for the cleaning system and go from there.

If you would like, you can send me some of your favorite records and I will give it my four fluid cleaning and send it back to you so you can hear the difference. If you are interested send me an email or PM.

Joe:)

AndyGwis

I may do that, Joe. It's hard to throw a bunch of money into a new format when it seems to be (on the surface, literally) a more difficult medium to enjoy conveniently.

It would be nice to get the table set up with Russ and throw on a nice, clean record to hear vinyl in it's proper state.

cmy330go

AndyGwis wrote: »

....I'm getting crazy Rice Krispies, tho. . . Snap, Crackle, and Pop.....

It probably is just really dirty vinyl. But you may want to double check the ground wire.

AndyGwis wrote: »

...I'll have to have Russ check out my counterweight work. I wasn't real confident in going by the manual's setup suggestion. Set it with the lever up, but you play records with the lever down?.....

If you followed the directions properly you should have it set very close. I'm sure Russ will have a gauge to verify the correct tracking force.

Just hang in there. Once everything is setup properly and you get some good vinyl spinning I think you are going to be quite shocked at what you hear.

hearingimpared

Andy you have a PM.