Pro-Ject 2Xperience Classic or Music Hall mmf 7.1


Please help me to make a right choice between 2 TT: Pro-Ject 2 Xperience classic( very like the look) that could be with Ortofon 2M Bronze cart for $1299 or Nagaoka MP500 cart for $1700 and Music Hall MMF7.1 that comes with Goldring GL 2400 for $1525, price include cartridges. Local dealers do not have them as demos, so I can’t audition them.
I had auditioned Pro-ject RPM 9.2 with Ortofon 2MBlack and Music Hall mmf 5.1 with Goldring cart( what Goldring cart I don’t know). RPM sounds very sweet to my ears, but I don’t like the look. MMF 5.1 sounds also good , but not as good as Project 9.2, but I think the higher models with better cart could sound very decent.
Music Hall 7.1 futures a double plinth and stand alone motor, but does this make a real , noticeable difference in sound quality in comparison with single plinth and decoupled motor that Pro-ject Xperience has? I’m asking this question because the look of Project Xperience I love the most, but don’t want to compromise too much with the sound quality, as I already do with the RPM 9.2.
I like detailed, warm sound with solid bass, gentle, not harsh midrange and treble.
The rest of my system: amp YBA Integre DT, speakers Polk Audio LSi 15.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
rockstream
Rockstream, I have been going through the same exercise as you on choosing a turntable. I ended up going with the Music Hall MMF 7.1 with the Music Hall Mojo cartridge (made by Ortofon). Unlike the Pro-ject Xperience the motor on the MMF 7.1 is completely isolated from the table. I couldn't be happier with this setup. It sounds wonderful. Down the road I might try an Ortofon 2M Black, but the Mojo is really a great sounding cartridge.
I think you made a wise choice. The MH tables are very respectable at their price points. I'm not very big on aftermarket tweaks, but IMO, the Herbies mat can make a very significant improvement to MH tables. Send it back if you don't like it. Enjoy your new table and sorry about asking you to spend more money - But it's just a little bit.
I have been using a MMF-7.1 for about 3 years now and am very please with it. I run a 2M Black and its avery good combination.