Fairly simple to set up and operate, if you've an engineering degree. Good, entry level machine, solid, simple.

Cartridge could be better, setup instruction suck.

Not a bad basic, start off turntable for those who want to return to the world of vinyl. Easy to run, solid performer that gives you all you need. Reminds you why you were so happy when CD's were invented, reveals all the flaws you can find in the medium.

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A glowing review for a new product, the very inexpensive Music Hall MMF-2. A basic-verging-on-shoddy little 'table built in Eastern Europe, this unassuming little product has flat amazed me with its much-higher-than-expected sound quality--well into the "good" range, even disregarding its super-low price.
I bought it after a long period during which I told myself I was considering a return to vinyl. I hadn't owned a turntable since Reagan's first term, when I owned a gorgeous-looking and gorgeously-built (but not so great sounding) Luxman. After poring over various writings by Mike Fremer and Art Dudley, and trading a number of e-mails with Mike F., I finally realized I had, in effect, already made the decision I thought I was only considering, since I'd been steadily buying used vinyl for several months at that point. But at the last minute I chickened out on my plans to invest in a much more expensive turntable, and reverted to the MMF-2 as a conservative (okay, cheapskate) default choice.

I didn't even realize it came with a cartridge (a fact the otherwise nice and helpful folks at Lyle Cartridges failed to mention), so I also bought a Shure V-15. But since the MMF-2 arrived with its Goldring Elan already mounted, I decided to listen to it that way for a few days, the better to appreciate the improvement I was "shure" would be wrought with the approx. 10X more expensive cartridge (to put you in context, the Shure was $200 at Lyle and the MMF-2/Goldring Elan combo in total cost only $70 more).

I was _very_ pleased right from the start with the sound of the turntable. Even after listening to it for a few days, I couldn't get over the idea that I was going to upgrade immedaitely. But there is just little to fault with this cheap 'table's smooth, articulate sound. It's the opposite of my old Luxman: it performs far better than it looks. The DD Luxman was a beauty that couldn't measure up to its looks--the MMF-2 just sounds much better than you think it has any right to.

My biggest surprise came a few days into this experiment when I mounted the Shure. I immediately liked it _less_ than the stock Goldring Elan! The Elan breaks up during loud passages, betraying its cheap build, but otherwise is altogether more musical. The Shure was smoother and somewhat more detailed, but had much more reserved dynamics and _much_ more synthetic-sounding vocals. It sounded much less natural, much more like electronically recorded music and less like just plain old music. I liked it decisively less.

So in went the Goldring again, and the sound bloomed like before. The next day, puzzled, I phoned Roy Hall at Music Hall, who gave me the lowdown on Goldring--evidently it's sort of the Grado of England, having been in business for many decades making fine-sounding budget to high-mid-level cartridges. On Roy's recommendation I called Lyle Cartridges back and ordered a Goldring 1042 (reviewed in this section, not by me) as an upgrade for the Elan. But I _like_ the Elan, and I could live with it if I didn't have the money to upgrade (I do, and it's burning a hole in my fervent analogue-convert's pocket). A few weeks ago I'd never even _heard_ of Goldring, and now I think I've become a Goldring Man, you might say. At least I'm a Goldring _fan_.

As for my persistent urge to upgrade the MMF-2, I'm sure I will someday, but until then I've decided I might as well get some of my money's worth out of it. Instead of a new 'table, I bought a VPI 16.5 record-cleaning machine and am considering a power line conditioner.

So if anyone is considering a sortie into (or back into) vinyl (which I strongly recommend--it's been wonderfully rejuvenating to my interest in music), but is hesitant to spend an arm and a leg, I can heartily recommend the MMF-2 as an emminently safe and highly satisfying budget purchase. I'll give it 3 stars, which it solidly earns--if I were the type who went in for hyperbole, which I'm not, I could see giving it four in light of its formidable value for the cost.

In the words of the old cereal commercial, try it--I think you'll like it.

I just installed this product in my current system, replacing an old Technics belt-drive (very low-fi...). System consists of NAD 314 integrated amp and NHT SuperOne speakers.
Let me say this for vinyl, and the MMF-2 in particurlar. I have an NAD 512 CD player, which sells for exactly the same amount of $$$ as this turntable does. ($300). I compared "Headed for the Future" by Neil Diamond on both CD and vinyl, and the differences were amazing. The CD player has the edge in energy and absolute bass extension, but that's it. On all other categories, the MMF-2 beat it. Smoother, less fatiguing sound. More natural soundstaging. Crisp highs, tight bass. It was all good. I love this player. For the money, it is a perfect introduction into analog playback.

I recently purchased the MMF-2 from Audio Advisor as a "secondary table" to my SOTA Comet. I was immediately blown away by the sound quality. I played a somewhat worn copy of Dr. John's Gumbo and it was like hearing it for the first time all over again. The slight scratchiness I was used to hearing was GONE. I have since then upgraded to a Grado ZTE+3 and the sound was even better. I have since then been listening to many of my older and worn records that I had given up on because of the scratchiness sounding surfaces. This table is top choice for the money. The only thin the SOTA beats it on is a somewhat wider soundstage, that's it! Overall I'm extremely satisfied with this purchase.

Hooked this baby up to my system last night, replacing a shitty old Yamaha turntable. Joy! Joy! Joy! Put on Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Schmilsson," and it sounded infinitely better than the CD. The first Chuck Mangione Quartet record, which sounded weak on the Yamaha, was now brilliantly vibrant, full. The detail on Chuck's horn was chilling. It's amazing how great vinyl sounds on a decent 'table like this one. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get into vinyl or resuscitate an old, neglected record collection. I can't wait to hit the used vinyl shops and pick up all the gems a bunch of suckers got rid of thinking CDs were better than vinyl. They're not. All you need is a good turntable like the MMF-2. I'm glad my dad never got rid of his records, 'cause now they're mine! I'm not buying any CDs for a long time.

I concur w/ Henry's review in which he said superglue was required to secure the headshell. Every time I use the finger lift to raise the arm I twisted the headshell. Superglue works great, but be careful raising the arm from its holder. Also, forget all the hype about adjusting tonearm height, etc. Buy a midline TT from someone else if you feel the need to make that adjustment.
With a Grado Red cartridge the Music Hall exceeded any of the dozen turntables and modest MM cartridges I have had over the years. I am tempted to upgrade to a table that is classier looking, but I don't really expect to exceed the sound I already have with the Mucic Hall and Grado.

Great entry level turntable for my modest system. Makes the most of Pinnacle AC650's I recently purchased. I found the setup worked fine with the standard Goldring Elan as supplied by Audio Advisor.

sounded fine when it worked

motor, head shell

After about 50 hours of occasional use, motor froze up. Local authorized dealer could not obtain replacement motor from manufacturer after repeated tries. Also, head shell detached from arm (a complaint I subsequently have read is not uncommon).
My conclusion: tried to get quality at bargain price...didn't get it with this product.

It looks like this might be the only review for today. I think AR lost some hits with its recent format change. Well, I have been dissatisfied with this section of the site for quite some time. It has always seemed that the Halls of Fame and Shame were not accurate. I guess the webmaster decided to end this problem by simply getting rid of them. This is too bad. I had hoped that the ratings system would be improved. It is obvious that many people post repeatedly to jack up or down a rating. Also, it seems that many posters will just post without any knowledge of a product. Because more reviews are needed, I think that this would be a good forum to let the voice of the audio enthusiast be heard, especially due to the unreliability of the chat forums on this site as well as the recent censorship and presence of our Big Brother at mtbr.
It is truly a shame that this forum does not get more attention. A product I feel could hold its own on the Hall of Fame is the MusicHall MMF-2. It might not be "visibly" superior to hi-fi turntables, yet it is one of the best entry-level hi-fi products. I hope that this product continues to receive the credit it deserves. While it is often mentioned on the chat boards, there are too few reviews here. My 2 cents is that the MMF-2 is the best budget turntable on the market. This is certainly the place to start. Wait! I said "start!" The Goldring cartridge is good unless you have a lot of money laying around in which case, buy the best (Grado) you can afford. If you decide to upgrade some more, a Rega arm would work well with the Grado cart. It might also be worth looking for a good phono soundstage, like an EAR. A Ringmat and seismic sink could be added to further refine the sound. By itself, the MMF-2 can easily be the center-piece of a budget system. Tweaked, it will better any digital source you throw at it (IMHO).