Looking for a entry level audiophile turntable

"Audiofeil
Dollar for dollar and with regards to value, the Music Hall MMF-5 smokes the VPI Scout."

Hmmm.

Bill,
I had a MMF-7.1 and I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Never could get that thing to sound right..... Sounded dead, lazy....

I'd be tempted to go the Sota or the P5 route.

In fact, I know I will be upgrading my tt in the future, again. At this point I'm leaning towards the Sota Sapphire or maybe the Nova. Arm? Well, that's another thread....

If you'd consider going used, I got a Sota Star with the vacuum platter with an AQ6 arm well in your price range. Even twenty years old its a rock solid table. They're built like tanks.

Grimace, that combo is killer for the price. I purchased the same set-up about 12 years ago (for more than you're asking) and kept it until I had SOTA upgrade the table to a Nova Series V.

I want to thank everyone for their help. There were a lot of great suggestions. After a lot of consideration and research I ended up getting a used Sota Sapphire with Sumiko FT-3 Arm.
Now I am testing the cartridges I have and see which has the best sound. I have a Shure V15VxMR with a Soundsmith Ruby Cantilever and a Nude Contact Line Diamond retip. I also have a Ortofon 20, or I was thinking about getting a Sumiko Blackbird.
Thanks again for your help.