The MMF-2 is indeed an outstanding bargain. I purchased it, along with a Bright Star Isolation Rubber Tube Thingy (if I had remembered the name of the rubber tube thingy, I could call myself an audiophile, oh well) and I am giddily rediscovering the joys of vinyl. I do have a pretty nice system consisting of a Classe CAP-150 Amp, an Ultech HDCD CD player, Kimber PBJ interconnects and Transparent Audio Speaker Cables. What makes me happy is to confirm Michael Fremer's assertion that even a $300 turntable and cartridge setup will sound better than a high quality CD (the Ultech is Stereophile Class B). What do I mean by better, well, I mean more realistic, you know, it's kind of like the difference between a digital photograph on a monitor and one taken with a Nikon SLR and printed on high quality paper, all the same details are there, its just that the Nikon takes fewer steps to get the picture to you.
Without listening to expensive turntable/cartridge combinations in my home with my system, I can't really say much about how it compares to other 'tables but I can say that this turntable will convince you to go out, buy used vinyl, even maybe buy new audiophile vinyl. And like one of the other reviewers of this fine product, I think I'll go out and get me a record vacuum cleaning machine that actually costs more than this turntable.

Just lovely, warm sound.

Too bad I have so many CD's.

What can I say? All you vinyl nuts were right. I love this turntable.

Purchased an MMF-2 based upon all the reviews here. First thing, thanks to all the reviewers.
I had been running a Direct Drive Sony with Shure cart, and previously a Dual 1214 with AT cart. All pretty servicable, but not impressive. So my hunt for an "entry level" audiophile Turntable lead me to this site.

I had read somewhat humourously the descriptions of how analogue is better than the harshness of digital...and never really believed. Didn't I have the specs to prove digital was more accurate?

However, last night, Ricky Lee Jones "spoke" to me...cool silken notes...deep throaty Bass...crisp highs.

Many of you are far more versed in this "new world" than I, so I may not notice the need for a better than supplied Goldring Elan cart. Or perhaps the JBL 4311's are a good match running through a Dennon Integrated Amp (with apparantly good phono stage). Hey, I thought is was just a "record player"!

I thank you for helping me to see the beauty that has been locked in my vinyl and praise the MMF-2 with Elan cartridge as a wonderful experience for reasonable (for me) cost.

Any advice on an alt. cartridge that will extend this new world, but won't break the bank would be appreciated.

I'd vote 4 stars because I know there's probably better at a price. But I settle on 5 Stars for the value that would otherwise never let me enjoy musid in this way....

I did a old(Technics SLBD-20) vs new(MMF - 2.1) with Cecil Taylor's One Too Many Salty Swift And Not Goodbye. Let's just say I am blown away. I think my tracking force needs to be adjusted. ny tips?

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Technics run-of-the mill

Price and smooth sound

None at this level. Not an expensively built unit

Why not give vinyl a spin? For $300.00 the MMF2.1 is a great little 'table. Does it sound better than CDs? Unfair. Vinyl is just different, definitely more relaxed, flowing. The bass sounds much more natural to my ears. And with the vinyl renaissance, there's plenty of new LPs and a ton of old stuff out there in great shape. I was in Denver for the holidays and picked up 25 albums for under 50 bucks. And some of it is just fantastic, really a revelation of sorts! I'm swapping out the cheap cartridge in the Music Hall for a Grado Reference Platinum. The table itself is of average build quality, but waddaya want for three hundred dollars? You can set VTA on it; basically, it just sounds right. After doing the CD thing for 15 years, I'm tremendously impressed with what this little unit will do along with my Rega Mira amp and Paradigm Studio 20 speakers. Consider the venerable LP, especially if you live in a large urban area with access to lots of used LPs. Buy the Music Hall and a decent record cleaner and ler 'er rip!

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Out of analogue for ages

Simply put, I am very satisfied with this TT. Clean design, good sound, I can just sit back and enjoy the music !

A quick followup to my initial review.As others have mentioned about the MMF-2, construction quality is not exactly of the Mercedes-Benz level, nor should anyone expect such quality in a $299 table.
That said, anyone changing out cartridges should be aware that the headshell, at least on my particular table, was not securely fitted to the arm tube. Apparently, only a small amount of some adhesive is used to fix the headshell to the arm tube. The simple act of removing the leads off the Goldring cartridge caused the headshell to become detached from the arm. Ugh.
So, a tube of superglue should be standard equipment for this little table.
Once the headshell was again mated to the arm, a Grado Prestige Red cartridge was installed. I used a Mobile Fidelity Geodisk for cartridge alignment and my Shure stylus force gauge to affirm the counterweight settings.
Right out of the gate, the improvement over the preinstalled Goldring Elan was dramatic.
The "palpable sense of presence" already very good with the Goldring, was kicked up at least two notches. Thelma Houston's vocals on the Sheffield Labs direct disk of "I've Got the Music in Me" will make the small hairs on the back of your neck come to attention!
Extension at both ends was markedly improved, particularly on top. And the congestion noted with the Goldring tracking high signal levels (a conical stylus tends to rattle around a bit in the grooves at high recorded signal levels) was greatly eased with the Grado. One cut on the Sheffield LP features the Tower of Power horn section. With the Elan, this could be a bit overwhelming. The Grado sailed through with apparent ease.
Pearlman's violin in the Tchaikovsky concerto (Angel, with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra) is as rich and full-bodied as I've ever heard on that recording.
Several online stores on the web sell the Red for $110. Audio Advisor has it for $80. Either price is a bargain.
Again a 3-star rating, with an easy 4 if value for the dollar is part of the equation. But with the Prestige Red, this table comes tantalizingly close to a 4 in absolute terms...just not quite.

Stereophile describes the MMF-2 as a "tweakers' delight." Truer words were never spoken.Out of the box, this unassuming little jewel is a decent table, high praise for one which only costs $299. Most of the sins are those of omission, far preferrable to those of comission. The extreme octaves are rolled off and things can get a bit congested when the recording gets "hot." A lot of this can be put on the Goldring Elan cartridge.
It is an excellent "entry-level" pickup but many will want to upgrade in this area fairly quickly.
Image focus can get a bit fuzzy and soundstage depth is restricted.
But what the MMF-2 gets right is truly amazing at this price point. Presence is outstanding, the bass is tight and tuneful and the highs, while slightly recessed, are crisp.
Keep in mind my previous analog system consisted of a Dark Start table, air bearing arm, Talisman Virtuoso Boron cartridge and StraighWire Maestro interconnects. The cartridge alone cost nearly three times the cost of the MMF-2/Goldring combo!
Now, back to paragraph one. I've never been a fan of felt mats. So, off it came and on went a Sota acrylic mat and Sota record clamp. Voila! Image focus cleared up, soundstage depth increased and the highs seemed even more "sparkly."
I'm sure the Grado cartridge I have on order will furthur improve the sound.
The MMF-2 is connected to an Audible Illusions Modulus 3 tubed preamp, a modified B&K ST140 MKII power amp and Vandersteen 1C speakers. Interconnects are StraightWire Rhapsody and the speaker cables are Tara Labs.
But it also sounded quite decent hooked to the phono input of a Sony ES receiver.
Anyone seriously considering returning to the world of anlog LPs or those who are curious to find out if analog is really better than digital and do not want to make a large investment, should put the MMF-2 on their very short list of turntables. Both Audio Advisor and Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor have it for $299 online.
Now, the ratings. On an absolute basis, I cannot give it more than 3 stars, so that is what shows. However, when value is entered into the formula, this little overachiever is easily a 4.

Bought this table with a Grado Z1+ installed (still available from Audio Advisor). Aside from a somewhat annoying, low level humming sound that is unnoticeable when the music starts (my fault, I should have realized that some Grados are very sensitive), the music sounds way more "realistic" than my CD player. The sound is very balanced and, (aside from that annoying distortion you can get at the end of a side, which was easily reduced by a cartridge realignment), much more soothing. Some complaints however: this combination distorts during some VERY loud passages; there's that hum; and the table is hardwired. But like everyone says, if you've got a vinyl collection, (or hunt down used vinyl for some cheap ass buys like I do), this turntable should be more than adequate for playback. Especially when you factor in the price. (I just wish I selected a less sensitive cartridge, dammit.)