I say preferable because, let's face it, a lot of today's records are mastered or cut from their digital counterparts, which make them sound a bit thin or harsh. I don't hold the Classic's sound against it, for I believe a lot of listeners will find it quite pleasing, maybe even preferable to the sound one might achieve through the costlier Technics or Pro-Ject models referenced above. Mind you, the Marantz is a bit on the richer, fuller side in the midrange itself, so it no doubt compounded things a bit, but that's not to diminish the Classic's noticeable midrange hump. Through my JBL L100 Classic loudspeakers, the Music Hall Classic was decidedly full-bodied in the midrange and bottom octaves. Once setup and connected to my Marantz NR1200 stereo receiver, using the supplied RCA interconnects and with the Classic's internal phono stage engaged, it was time to see what the Classic's sound was all about. If I'm wrong, let me know, but I don't think I am. I did this because I honestly don't think consumers buying affordable turntables are buying them to tinker, but rather to simply get on with enjoying their favorite albums on vinyl. Admittedly I don't have a great deal of experience with this particular cartridge, and while I could've swapped it out for one that I was more familiar with, I thought it best to judge the Classic as a complete all-in-one design. The Classic comes with Music Hall's own Spirit cartridge installed as standard. The only other table I've encountered that is easier in terms of setup has to be the U-Turn Orbit Plus, but the two really aren't comparable beyond that. Setting up the Classic was extremely straightforward and easy-easy enough, I think, for even a novice or first-time turntable buyer. So, like I said, the Classic isn't a Pro-ject X2 or a Technics 1500C, but it's enough of both to make it more than a little compelling. You can even connect the Classic to a pair of powered monitors-provided those monitor speakers have a variable level or volume control. Lastly, the Classic has a built-in phono preamp (defeatable), enabling it to be connected to any hi-fi or home theater system regardless if your equipment has a phono stage or not. The Classic is a belt-driven design (the belt is below the aluminum platter) not unlike the X2, and features touch sensitive speed controls not unlike both the X2 and the 1500C. Sure it lacks the Technics' S-shaped tone arm, but the Classic does have a user-friendly removable headshell, a uni-pivot design, not to mention semi-automatic operation (auto lift and shut off). The same could be said for the Classic's tonearm construction, which looks more than a little reminiscent of the Technics SL-1500C's. The thick wood base of the X2 may not quite up to the standard set by the X2 upon close inspection, but it looks the part from a foot or more away. That baby would be the Music Hall Classic. Picture both of those tables if you can for just a moment, now imagine they had a baby. The Classic arrived at my home while I was in the middle of reviewing two other fantastic turntables: The Technics SL-1500C and Pro-Ject's X2. While $599 isn't couch cushion change, it's within the realm of reason for most working stiffs like yours truly. It's not that the 1200 or 1500C are overpriced for what they deliver I just don't have a cool thousand bucks and change burning a hole in my pocket.Įnter the Music Hall Classic, a $599, semi-automatic, belt-driven turntable that-on the surface-offers up many of the same features and much of the same convenience as the Technics, but at half the price. I know Technics has released a new 1200, as well as an "audiophile friendly" model in the form of the SL-1500C, which I recently reviewed but like many of you, my rationale for not owning one comes down to one single factor: price. I believe it is the stuff of legend, and I legitimately wish I still had both of my old 1200 decks from back in college. It's no secret that I am a fan of the famed Technics SL-1200 turntable.
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