Just wanted to share this with all of you - I happened to get more discussion on Audioasylum & the key question I was asked was how this 'table compared to my previous MMF5. Here is the text of that post:-
I used a stock MMF5. Thus, it had the factory-fitted Goldring 1012.
Major upgrade in 2 depts : (1) physical appearance - the fit & finish is superb on the Bluenote. Looks like it is professionally made. Nothing "homely" about it. No cheap parts used anywhere. Extensive use of acrylic & brass. Milled aluminum feet & tonearm mounting collar. No MDF or plastic anywhere. All this makes the physical appearance many times better than the MMF5 & (2) sound - the MMF had a slightly fat bass, slightly forward highs. None of that characteristic in the Bluenote. Resolving power of the 1012 was nothing compared to the 1042. With the 1042 the bass is rich but tight. Highs are much more extended. Shimmer on the cymbal crashes have lustre. Mids are rich & organic unlike the 1012.
The 1012 vs. 1042 comparison is not entirely fair since the MMF5 had the factory arm + cart whereas I now have a much superior arm + cart. Even if I could get hold of a MMF5 now I'm not sure I could mount the OL Silver on it to make a direct comparison! So, you will have to bear this in mind.
However, the Bluenote's rhythum & pace, bass attack, black background & the whole sound delivery package is much better & more effortless than the MMF5. It seems to have strong abilities in the bass, mids & highs wherein no 1 freq. spectrum dominates over the other. The balance of all 3 seems to be perfect. It is also a "quick" table.
The 'table is musical w/o being over-analytical (to my ears the Aries & the Clearaudio Champion are a bit more analytical). To my ears, it's like listening to live music with this 'table. So, I feel the music, I hear the details but it doesn't allow me to get caught up in those details wherein I begin to analyze them. Just like when you are in a concert. There seems to be just the correct amount of music resolving ability put into it without throwing it over the edge.
It is my personal opinion that the slightly analytical characteristic of the Silver 250 synergizes with the musicality of the 'table to give a good overall balance.