Music Hall 5.1 owners?

Getting more relatively cheaply is not something you're going to get with analog. Really - the 5.1 is a good table. I think the problem is elsewhere. What phono preamp are you using? The problem is, as I'm sure you know, the arm on the 5.1 really can't take advantage of a really good cart, although the Goldring is pretty good. I'll tell you, my friends bought the Marantz table, which comes with a nice arm and cart for about $1500 and it sounds damn nice. Just sell the 5.1 and save for something better. IM0.

If you don't have one, a Pro-Ject Speed Box (or Music Hall's version) is a very good upgrade in general. It's not just a convenient 33/45 rpm changer.

I use on on my Pro-Ject 1Xpression and have heard them on other Pro-Ject's and Music Halls. I haven't heard it on the MMF 5.1 specifically, but the all share Pro-Ject motors, and the 5.1's motor may very well be the same as my Xpression's. The improvements are across the board; there's not improvement in one area at the expense of another. It's very hard to find that in this hobby.

The Speed Box 2 is about $150, so it's not a major expense. Places like Music Direct have a 30 trial period, so there's almost no risk. Haven't heard the Speed Box SE to be able to say if it's worth the extra cost.

I have a MMF 5. I'm not sure about the difference btw the two TT's. Yours has probably a better tonearm. Anyway, I just bought an expensive (at least for me) cartridge (aurum Beta S MK II Wood). I'll let you know if spending all this money was worthy (or just silly) as soon as I have it installed!

Yes, I believe the 5.1 has a better arm, though I'm not sure in what way. I would like to hear what you discover. Thank you for your response -

As mentioned above , I would like to know if the new 5.1 is actually capable of a cartridge upgrade from stock .
I have seen , in a couple of places , that the tonearm may not be of sufficient quality to take advantage of a cartridge such as a Grado Reference Sonata 1 or a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S Mk 2 .
Can anyone else speak to this point of view ?

Happy Tunes