Which 5.1?

[j88888888]

Here's something to think about. I had my mind aaaaaalmost set on a Pro-Ject RM5.1SE, when I decided to throw a wrench in the works.

I called Needle Doctor and asked which of all their tables they recommended for $1000 or less, taking into account all recommended upgrades (thus leaving room for a cheaper table with a more expensive cart, etc.). I told the salesman that I never wanted to upgrade a thing after my initial $1000 or less purchase--just replace the stylus as needed. He immediately recommended the Music Hall MMF 5.1. He said that it's an outstanding table with a fantastic cartridge, and I would never want for anything better. I asked about the Pro-Ject, and he said that, while the RM5.1SE is also an outstanding table, and that the cartridge it includes is the best on any table under $1000, he recommended the MMF 5.1 because it has superior isolation, and thus delivers a better overall package.

I was initially opposed to anything but a table I could hear first-hand, but I've come to appreciate that I really need to hear it first hand in my house, connected to my system to make a real determination. Needle Doctor purports to give full refunds on pristine equipment returned within 30 days, so I'm open to taking that risk.

Does anybody with experience with one or both of these tables have any feedback? Is what the Needle Doctor sales guy says true?

[Aural Addict]

I had the same dilemma, but add two more tables into the mix...
I went with the PJ 5.1, but added the ground it and cover it with the purchase as I think they are necessary. You need a dust cover... The isolation is incredible too. I run two large 4 driver speakers with each about two feet from the table. When I am placing the cover on, I can feel the vibration in mid air at less than a quarter volume, yet I never had any sort of problem with the table. This will increase your cost up to about $1500, but it is well worth it. Both the tables you are looking at have a lot in common, but the pj has a cart worth about $400, so that's where a lot of the price is offset from the cover which runs about $300. Now your price is about even. There is no way on earth that the mh has better isolation than the ground it that is elevated and filled with lead shot.
When it's all said and done, that extra $500-$600 is worth never wondering...
Plus adding both of these pieces, I can't imagine a sturdier table. I have three cats and a three year old that loves my stereo, and I never am worried about it.

[Aural Addict]

One more thing I just thought about, my three year old and his twelve year old brother wrestle and jump around within inches of the table and it has never skipped... And my stand is a cheap p.o.s....

[Paraneer]

Hi J8's. I recall posting before about your inquiry on the Pro-ject RM5.1 SE which I have also.
I can't speak for the ground-it as I do not have one in my installation. I would say that a dust cover is a must tho, something the Pro-ject 5.1 does not come with. Here's a tip to greatly reduce costs. See below link.

http://www.jmkdisplays.com/turntablecovers.html

I had this company make me a custom acrylic dust cover to my specifications (dimensions) complete with cut-outs in the back for cabling. Top notch work, got it in two weeks from time of order and payment and here is the best part - mine was $90 complete with shipping! Thought I would pass this along if you are still considering the Pro-ject. To other potential buyers of tables that do not come with a dust cover, check out this link. You'll save a ton of money over the manufacturers covers for essentially the same thing. Good luc and happy listening.

[j88888888]

That's good info about the Ground-It, Aural Addict, but my max budget is $1000. If the Pro-Ject RM5.1 won't cut it as-is, I need to look at something different.

Thanks for the link on the custom dustcover, Paraneer, but I don't really plan to use a dustcover, unless I'm on vacation or something. When I'm home, the turntable is on almost constantly. The dustcovers on all of my other tables have been tossed in storage. I figure I can drape a lint-free cloth or something similar over it if I'll be gone for a few days. Otherwise, I just keep a can of compressed air nearby to dust it occasionally (not the stylus, of course).

I guess nobody has an opinion on the Music Hall MMF 5.1, which could be a recommendation for the Pro-Ject.

[Aural Addict]

From what you said above (being the only one on here that adheres to a budget...lol), buy the music hall. Same tone arm, good cart an great plinth, if you like the appearance. Use the dust cover though. I don't know about you, but the friction caused when I play mine creates enough static to suck up all dust around it...

[Aural Addict]

I'm actually thinking about a music hall 2.2 or usb1 for my kid. I just don't think he's old enough to handle records properly. I will say that it's pretty cool having a four year old that wants a TT.....lol

[jackfish]

For $1000 a Sota Moonbeam II and a Nagaoka MP-150 would do it for me.

[j88888888]

From what you said above (being the only one on here that adheres to a budget...lol), buy the music hall. Same tone arm, good cart an great plinth, if you like the appearance. Use the dust cover though. I don't know about you, but the friction caused when I play mine creates enough static to suck up all dust around it...

Same tone arm? To my knowledge, the PJ has a carbon fiber tone arm to the MH's aluminum one. Am I mistaken?

[j88888888]

I'm actually thinking about a music hall 2.2 or usb1 for my kid. I just don't think he's old enough to handle records properly. I will say that it's pretty cool having a four year old that wants a TT.....lol

For a four-year-old, I'm thinking you need to find one of those old-school Fisher Price turntables with the plastic records.

[Aural Addict]

Lol... He loves music! The main thing he wants for his 4th bday (in 2weeks) is a stereo... I sell audio equipment, so I get it cheap (my 5.1was $575), so he is getting a Cambridge ar30 with a pair of polk tsi200's that I won...
Anyway, I sell PJ and MH, but we don't stock either 5.1's. Yeah, I just looked it up and yeah it's a project 9, not the 9c. My mistake... Not to throw another wrench, but look at the project Xpression. At 699, it would leave more $ for a better cart.
By the way, my son is next to me and when I looked up the MH, he said he wanted the 2.2 because it's red...lol
Not for a couple more years, that needle wouldn't last 5 minutes...

[j88888888]

For $1000 a Sota Moonbeam II and a Nagaoka MP-150 would do it for me.

I looked up the Moonbeam II last time you recommended to me, and again just now. I just can't seem to find much info on it, beyond the promotional copy. Can you tell me what's so great about it?

[Bob_in_OKC]

Choosing from the turntables Needle Doctor carries, it's hard to compete with the MMF-5.1 at the budget of $1,000 including cartridge. It's probably the one I'd choose. Another that would interest me is the Rega RP3 and add a cartridge like a Nagaoka MP-110 or Ortofon 2M Red.

[jackfish]

For $1000 a Sota Moonbeam II and a Nagaoka MP-150 would do it for me.

I looked up the Moonbeam II last time you recommended to me, and again just now. I just can't seem to find much info on it, beyond the promotional copy. Can you tell me what's so great about it?

j88888888, The Sota Moonbeam II certainly sits in the shadows of Sota greats like the Sota Comet and all Sota armless offerings. It has been subjected to extensive application of polymer materials to achieve low resonance and cost. After listening to a Sota Moonbeam II with a Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge I was struck by how substantially different it was from the Music Hall MMF-5.1 (a very good table in its own right) and the Rega RP3. Then after listening to the Clearaudio Concept with the MM cartridge it became apparent that the Sota Moonbeam II was comparable. I wish I could hear a Sota Moonbeam II with the Nagaoka MP-200 as that cartridge just might take it to another level. The Sota Moonbeam in black with a fitted Nagaoka MP-200 from LP Gear would run $978. I just don't think anything else can touch it at that price.

I'm surprised the guys at Needle Doctor didn't suggest it as an option.