Difference in Music Hall tonearms?

I think I'll have to go with the normal 5 and not the SE. I just don't see enough of a change... seems more like an attempt to fill a hole in the product line than to really improve on the 5.

Thanks all.

I Recently bought a new MMF-7 from a local dealer, paid 1000 for it, I also have a Rega Planar3 w RB 250 and a audio technica 440ml , the music hall with the factory MC goldring cartridge is a true bargain and a huge improvement over the rega. I would recomend the MMF-7, a true performer.

It looks pretty, and has a lot of nice upgrades (arm,rca jacks,wood veneer plinth) but not sure if it justifies the extra $300 or so.

I can't help with the arm differences but I did have a 9 on my MMF 7. It is a decent arm but probably not useful other than on a Music Hall or Pro-ject table. It seem to hold settings very well. VTA is a bit of a hassle but no more so than a Rega. I really liked it combined with a Shure V15VxMR.

The SE does not have wood plinth as you may be thinking. It is a verneered plinth, probably over MDF, so the difference is cosmetic only I would suspect. I'm not sure if the price difference is justified when you add things up but I do admit I have not heard the new SE. If you're handy you could probably get a used standard MMF 5, rewire the arm with Cardas wire and clips, change out the jacks for some really good ones and mount a new cartridge and be way ahead sonically and financially.

Just my opinion.