Music Hall's "Classic" turntable :How does it compare to other similarly priced T/T's


Want to replace my U-Turn turntable I purchased  with a few upgrades I changed the prepacked Ortofon 2M Red with an Audio Technica VM95SH  with( shibata stylus) about 2 years ago.  I am seriously considering Music Hall ' s "Classic" turntable priced at $ 649,00 . Looks nice and has convenient features like auto shut- off and a built in phono amp ( which I don't need) 

Need some feedback about this table 's performance and sound.  Have found few reviews  Also, considering  Rega's P2  and Project's Debut Evolution Carbon table. All are prepacked with $100 cartridge.  Will replace my choice with the Audio Technica which is superior to them.

 

Thank you, 

sunnyjim 

sunnyjim

I would avoid it for many of the reasons stated above.  Can you stretch the budget a few hundred?  If Direct Drive is ok with you I’ve been very happy with my Technics.  You can use your current cartridge, I believe 

To noromance: I think the Pioneer PXL  1000 has been discontinued because I have not seen it on any audio sales websites recently .

Amazon.com: Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 Professional Turntable : Musical Instruments

I have variety of technics turntables in my collection, incl. sl1200mk4/6/G. G (grand) is the best ever, beating many more expensive TTs! Second to it is MK4, which performs well, and cost of good cartridge these days, featured with titanium tonearm and f has 78rpm option. 

Thanks to all who have responded; the information is valuable

Secret Guy is correct. I read several of Roy Hall remarks  over the years in Stereophile. He is a jerk and a bully

To noromance: I think the Pioneer PXL  1000 has been discontinued because I have not seen it on any audio sales websites recently .

Unfortunately, I think the Rega P3 is overpriced; if you get it without their cartridge and want to use your own, you have to buy a  shim  which cost about $75 . I am also trying to stay under $1000, if possible.

Cheers, 

Jim

I owned a Music Hall. I'd never own another. Plus Roy Hall is a...well...I'm sure the word would get removed.

I had the mmf 2.2 for 4 years. Everything broke on it, after the warranty expired. I had to learn how to fix things, luckily it’s simple enough.

It sounded good though.

Rega 1 or 2 are not upgrades to the mid-level Music Hall. Rega 3 is. Pro-Ject and Music Hall share some parts, so there is why I didn’t go with Pro-Ject.

You got a lot of choices, Fluance with the Ortofon blue, for example.

I would avoid built in Phono and auto anything. Keep it simple. A simple but quality Phono stage in the future, new cartridge, etc. Also consider the resale options: who buys Rega vs Music Hall in the used market? If you want to upgrade.... the whole rig.

Pioneer PLX 1000 at that price. I'd save longer and get a Tecnics SL1200G or Rega 3 or equivalent.