i am not familiar with that unit, but if i think that price is about half of new retail. i think it is safe to say that your won't get hurt if you decide to resell it at some point. just like with new cars, the first buyer takes the intial hit.
when you get to the $1500 retail level, good things start to happen with turntables, so it is probably a good unit and probably much better than anything new at $600, provided it was well cared for (most are as turntable guys tend to be fanatical).

tom

Hola,

For the price, it would be hard to do better than that unit (if it has been well cared for.)

The manufacturer has moved on to a 7.1 unit, so this table will nolonger be considered part of the current line, which could lower resale a bit, but probably not by much.

It's well made and even though I've only heard one a few times, I never heard a system with that table that didn't sound pretty darn good. The arm can handle a decent range of cartridges, too.

Shipping can be very problematic. If it's a local pick up, I'd say go get it right now! If it needs to be shipped, make sure the seller knows how to break it down and whether or not he has the original boxes, etc.

Very exciting! This would be a way cool first table for that money!

now that you have spent the money, forget about it. don't look back, that's my philosophy. just consider it your small contribution to the sound economic health of our fine nation. yes, you will be spending more money.
enjoy and let us know how it arrived and how it sounds.

tom

Don't worry, I did the same; bought TT I hadd never heard and had it shipped already set-up.

I had zero problems, supported a dealer that I like, and have easily gotten my money's worth out of it. (It's a very modest MMf-5).

Hi TIA,

I own the MMF-7 and have not been disappointed. But if you are having a different cartridge put on it then the stock Goldring Eroica H, I'd take it to your trusted dealer and get them to set it up for you (saves you from buying all the tools). I have been recently running mine with a Nagaoka MP-30 and it sounds awesome. I'm also currently using a NAD PP2 (phono pre) but I will be upgrading hopefully soon to a Graham Slee ERA Gold V.

Regards,

Jeff

I've been using an MMF-7 for four years and really like it! There are some great tweaks I recommend when you can afford to spend a little extra. I found the ringmat (I have the anniversary edition) improved the sound, lowered the surface noise, and I no longer have to mess with the clamp (you can't use it with the ringmat). Roy Hall recommends this and includes it standard with the MMF-9. It doesn't have quite the static problem the original felt does (in my home) although I still use a zerostat most of the time.

I also added the Project speedbox II which retails for $129. It is simple to integrate and helps the sound somewhat. It also makes switching between speeds a breeze and encourages you to get those 45 rpm audiophile pressings.

I started with the goldring eroica cartridge but upgraded after a while to a benz glider low output (and ear 834p phono stage). I was concerned about cartridge installation, but studied Mikey's vinyl setup DVD and found it wasn't bad at all. You do see a lot of recommendations to have a dealer do the cartridge install for you. Well I am fortunate to have an audio dealer right by my office, who specialize in vinyl, and this would be pretty easy. However, I think I did a better job setting up my glider than they would have, simply because I took more time and did more listening tests. If you think you will want to be tweaking and listening, which I recommend, it's best to get comfortable with this right off the bat.

For a new budget vinyl setup I think a nice cartridge setup is a denon dl-103 going into a jolida JD-9A tubed phono stage. This combination costs a fraction of what my glider/ear costs but may rival it in quality. The phono stage makes a huge difference in the sound you get--and I definitely prefer tubes for this.

Aluminum arm wand? Try some cheapo electrical tape running along it's length. One layer.

Great simple trick to damp arm resonances. If you 'no like', then take it off. Simple enough.

Quote:
I try to comfort my angst and justify my course of action by telling myself that if I just went out and bought a Rega P1, I would soon and quick arrive to the point of having to acknowledge that its performance is far below what is possible and satisfying, and I would only feel cheated and unrewarded. Having to live with my music under such circumstance would be not only less than enjoyable, but downright annoying. I would soon be frustrated and possibly even loose my enthusiasm (heresy, just the thought it!) for this hobby I love so dearly.

That's the same argument that the salesman used to get me to buy my BMW M5.

He told me, 'If you don't get this car, you will regret it for the rest of your life. Whatever car you are driving, you will always wonder....'what if I bought that M5? This car just can't possibly be that good. What would have the M5 been like in comparison?'

I hung my head in despondent shame and mumbled something about that being exactly correct. I would have always wondered. A 'sensible' choice doesn't make a happy choice. Sometimes the essence of it is the happy choice, period.

So I bought the M5. And its the best damn car ever. (the older E39 model) Most say it still is the best. The newest one 'just doesn't cut it'.

The whole purpose of a hobby is to waste time and money.

You made a good choice.

Quote:
The whole purpose of a hobby is to waste time and money.

You made a good choice.

Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. - Oscar Wilde

And this photo, as a 'fridge magnet', with this quote, is on my fridge:

"Life is a Daring Adventure - Or Nothing." -Hellen Keller

Quote:
Well guys

Quote:
The whole purpose of a hobby is to waste time and money.

You made a good choice.

I almost missed that. Yes, it is a BMW.

I am wasting time and money.