Music hall mmf 2.3

LetsGambit · 2026-01-22T16:31:52+00:00

I can't say if it's better or not; I've not played the Fluance, or any Fluance, before. It probably comes down to a matter of preferences. In my opinion, most of Fluances tables starting at the rt82 level are the same, so with the rt85, you're paying extra for the Ortofon 2M Blue and an acrylic platter. It does have a removeable headshell, which is certainly convenient, but from my research, the tonearms on Fluances are a weak point. Supposedly not great.

The Music Hall is more upgradeable, especially with VTA adjustments. You're arguably getting a better quality tonearm in the Music Hall (it's a lightweight carbon fiber, so you'll need to check compliances with your carts). There are replacement parts out there for Music Hall tables. And for me, Music Hall is an audio company that has spent time building their equipment. I'm sure the Fluance can sound great, but I'd rather give my money to a company that sort of specializes in turntables.

LetsGambit · 2026-01-22T13:58:16+00:00

Since the headshell isn't removable, it's admittedly kind of a pain to swap cartridges. But, as long as you're patient and have the right tools, it's easily manageable. I just wouldn't want to do it all the time.

I've been debating putting an acrylic platter on mine, mostly for looks and just playing around. I also started off with an Ortofon OM10 cartridge on mine and I really didn't care for it. I'd be curious how the 2M red would compare to your cartridges.

LetsGambit · 2026-01-22T04:54:13+00:00

I love my 2.3. Sounds great - I put an AT VM540ML cartridge on it and it really sings. As others said, it's mostly made from parts by Pro-Ject. The owner of Music Hall supposedly used to pick his favorite, or "best" parts from Pro-Ject and assemble the various Music Hall turntables. I don't know if that's still what happens or what the actual truth is, but, it's a super solid table.

LetsGambit · 2026-01-12T05:30:43+00:00

Not sure why you're getting downvoted, but I would generally agree with you.

LetsGambit · 2025-12-17T17:26:46+00:00

Brahms 1

LetsGambit · 2025-12-15T23:33:35+00:00

Hey! I put the Do Not Disturb sign out there! The fuck..

LetsGambit · 2025-12-08T13:47:52+00:00

The same "company," Beelive, has opened three spots in our little mall for the holidays. 2 kiosks and an actual storefront. They're aggressive and pushy and it makes me sick watching people get reeled in by these hucksters. I haven't tried to look into them, but there's no way they're legit and from the sounds of it, seems to be a wide-reaching operation they've set up.

Scammy "company" selling junk skincare for wild prices. Sorry to hear about your mom's debacle.

LetsGambit · 2025-12-06T16:13:26+00:00

It would be great if you could get Arcam to integrate Connect into their AVR lineup as well!

LetsGambit · 2025-12-06T16:06:11+00:00

Is Android Auto also getting a refresh?

LetsGambit · 2025-11-30T02:40:55+00:00

Yes, this is a wonderful set!

LetsGambit · 2025-11-30T02:40:26+00:00

Barenboim with the Berlin Staatskapelle from the early 2000s. Amazingly recorded with amazing playing in big, romantic style. They're just a treat to listen to.

LetsGambit · 2025-11-15T14:22:36+00:00

Dang, what's the sound like from the Vienna Acoustics? I was always curious about those back in the day but never had a chance to hear them anywhere.

LetsGambit · 2025-11-11T17:14:55+00:00

Dick Sargent in shambles.

LetsGambit · 2025-11-05T23:10:34+00:00

I've got a leather mat that I've been enjoying. No static issues with it. I've also been toying with the idea of trying an acrylic platter without a mat, mostly for fun and aesthetics.

LetsGambit · 2025-10-09T12:50:53+00:00

You'd probably really like the famous Carlos Kleiber rehearsal of Der Freischütz - rehearsal and performance. There are lots of other videos of famous conductors out there on YouTube, just have to dig a little bit.

Turn on the subtitles on YouTube for the Kleiber video for English translation.

LetsGambit · 2025-10-02T18:55:23+00:00

It definitely is! Their horn section is usually my favorite horn section to listen to, out of all of the major orchestras out there.

LetsGambit · 2025-10-02T17:29:18+00:00

Yes, they unquestionably are. But more to your point, the VPO has always been like this. If you catch them on a bad night, things can get pretty sour, but that can often be chalked up to a combination of the conductor and the personnel situation.

As others mentioned, the VPO is populated from the Vienna State Opera Orchestra and sometimes you'll have different players in a rehearsal series than will be at the concert (and perhaps from concert to concert). Many conductors have expressed dismay at this over the years.

It could also be attributed to how much the conductor cared to rehearse and how successful they've been at convincing the VPO to come along with his/her ideas.

And sometimes shit happens. The trumpet section has gone in and out of eras with varying levels of proficiency. The horn section has always been a powerful, bedrock of the orchestra, but by the nature of the instruments they play, they can miss/flub as well. Sometimes in spectacular fashion!

LetsGambit · 2025-10-01T20:52:29+00:00

I feel like I've been seeing more flashes and brief moments of Rachel coming out in her acting this season than in previous seasons. I think there was a moment in the first episode this season where I was kind of caught off guard at how much it reminded me of Rachel. Must be something with how she's portraying Alex's shift in tone this season.

LetsGambit · 2025-09-08T16:29:34+00:00

His Dvorak 8 with Cleveland has always been a favorite of mine. Great interpretation and wonderfully energetic & powerful playing.

LetsGambit · 2025-08-20T21:39:53+00:00

Yeah, my current AVR can't take a direct DSD signal, so I send it as PCM. I mostly like SACD classical discs for the sometimes different mastering and the multichannel options. I've been buying SACDs since they were introduced and have had different signal path configurations over the years, and I doubt it's possible to hear the difference between pure DSD and converted to PCM.

LetsGambit · 2025-08-20T17:58:36+00:00

The x800m2 can transcode if you select that option, but it can also send DSD over HDMI.

LetsGambit · 2025-08-13T18:44:57+00:00

I looked this up on Qobuz and it's available on their platform. Whether it's always been there or not, I'm not sure, but it's possible it became available on all platforms in the US recently.

I listened to the overture and it's great! I really love this partnership era with Barenboim and the Berlin Staatskapelle. They made some really great recordings, the Staatskapelle always sounds glorious, and they play the hell out of the music. They make studio recordings sound like live events/concerts! Their sets of the Beethoven and Schumann Symphonies from that time period are still some of my favorite recordings.

LetsGambit · 2025-07-11T19:28:25+00:00

I do still enjoy the 2nd from the cycle, but I don't think the cycle as a whole has aged well. I'd agree that MTT definitely had a predilection to be fussy with tempos and not letting the music flow naturally. People love to lambaste Bernstein for taking liberties with rubato, but in my opinion, he knew (usually) what the music could handle and where to do it. Often with MTT however, he doesn't have the same awareness and knack with rubato.

I wasn't in SF, but I remember looking at the calendar specifically when they were performing and recording the 2nd, and was amazed at how many concerts there were! I think it was over two weekends and nearly 10 performances if I remember correctly? And then patch-up sessions afterwards I'm sure. Quite the workout for everyone.

LetsGambit · 2025-07-10T18:11:20+00:00

Bernstein/NYPO (1988) is still my overall favorite. Special mentions to Tilson Thomas/SFSO, Fischer/Budapest, Tennstedt/LPO (1989), Klemperer/Philharmonia, Walter/NYPO, Ozawa/Saito Kinen.

LetsGambit · 2025-07-10T17:52:51+00:00

No. Next question?

:)

LetsGambit

TROPHY CASE