Debut Carbon or MMF 2.2

[drfosters]

After my Debut III was damaged by Sumiko, I worked out a deal with my supplier.
I now have the ability to exchange (and pay the remainder) for a different model.

So what do you guys recommend the Debut Carbon or MMF 2.2?

Thanks,

Aron.

[Bob_in_OKC]

I like the tonearm on the Debut Carbon. The tonearm on the MMF-2.2 is good, too, but I think the arms are the most significant difference between the two.

[jackfish]

If you never change the cartridge to require a significant VTA adjustment, then the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon looks pretty good. The clear advantage of the Music Hall MMF-2.2 is its adjustable VTA. Both will benefit from the Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter and Pro-Ject Speed Box II. With the Debut Carbon you can put an Ortofon 2M Blue stylus on the 2M Red body for a later upgrade, while you pretty much have to change out the cartridge on the MMF-2.2 for a cartridge upgrade.

[drfosters]

Thanks for the answers!

Forgive my ignorance but what would be considered a significant vta adjustment?

[Bob_in_OKC]

Depending on the stylus profile, even 2 mm could be significant. I changed the cartridge on my wife's Debut III and had no problems with VTA. I changed to a Dynavector 10X4 from the original Ortofon OM5E. If I had changed to something like the Ortofon 2M Black, I'd be more concerned about VTA.

[westcoast92126]

I paid $329 for a new MMF-2.2 and if I had a chance to do it over, I would probably stay with my MMF-2.2 (I haven't tried the Carbon). Adjustable VTA is important to me (I like playing with TT tweaks). The tonearm isn't carbon fiber, but, I'm quite impressed with its abilities. Also, I think it's a tad longer than the Carbon arm. I have the motor isolated on it's own little platform to keep vibration from bleeding into the plinth (which IMO seriously steals away nuances of sound from the vinyl grooves). I hear the Carbon has new vibration absorbing pads, however, I'm pretty pleased with my MMF 2.2 tweak. I hear absolutely no vibration between LP tracks.

I also have the Pro-Ject speedbox II and never used the factory cartridge. I use a Nagaoka MP-200 MM cart.

If adjustable VTA doesn't matter to you, then, perhaps the Carbon for that Carbon fiber tonearm and the new motor vibration isolation feature. I don't believe I've seen any negative reviews from Carbon buyers so far.

I wish they would offer a metal sub platter upgrade for these types of tables (like Rega has)

[Henley]

Just for reference, Ortofon OM series and 2M series (and most MC's) all share the same height so NO VTA adjustment is necessary.