Turntable Reviews

Manufacturer's Comment

Editor: Ken [Micallef]'s introduction to the MMF-7.3 review seems to be a setup for a snarky response. Let's go through his review and see if he merits one.

Of course, he is wrong about the differences between the MMF-7.1 and -7.3. There are three major—and I mean major—differences:

1) The [MMF-7.3's] tonearm is made from a one-piece carbon-fiber tube. This controls resonances, and improves rhythm and timing.

2) The [MMF-7.3's] motor has electronic speed control, which makes a huge difference to everything.

3) The cartridge, the Ortofon 2M Bronze, is tonally better than the Mojo supplied with the '7.1.

So right off the bat, he's not doing too well.

Although Ken's review is good, I fear that, because his system is a little too "hi-fi" (for me), he misses some of the emotion in the music. But he does redeem himself with sentences like "Red Garland's piano was wonderfully articulated, leading-edge notes driven by each discernible finger plonk," and "the MH-Goldring duo produced clean, focused images that simply shimmered."

He also (correctly) points out that the [MMF-7.3's] arm can handle all sorts of high-end cartridges, which immediately gives an upgrade path to the end user.

His comparison [of the MMF-7.3] to the Kuzma Stabi turntable (sounds like something sinister from East Germany) and Stogi tonearm was very favorable, considering that the Kuzma combo costs almost three times as much as the 7.3.

The MMF-7.3 has evolved over the past few years from the original '7, 7.1 to now. The idea was to improve on and refine a really good design. I feel we have achieved this with the above-mentioned modifications. What we have here is a truly high-end table at a relatively affordable price.

As Ken so articulately puts it, "If I were of a mind to spend my C-notes on a turntable in this price range, the Music Hall MMF-7.3 would be at the top of my money-grubbing list."

And what about that snarky comment? I hear you ask.

Remember that "lovely girlfriend" he mentioned at the beginning? Well, I hear she dumped him for a tango-dancing subway conductor.

I guess she didn't like his writing. She is not alone.—Roy Hall, Music Hall