Don't waste your money on the Music Hall or similar. I had a mmf-7 and never liked it. It isn't worth more than a couple hundred bucks once you get past the glossy finish and see the build quality and actually listen to it.
I have recently purchased a Technics 1200 and it is the real deal. Very good build quality, isolation, pitch stability, quiet background........ just has a relaxed ease to it's sound that is appreciated.
I also have a modified Lenco that is in another league, sonically. If you feel a little ambitious, that project can be accomplished for similar $$.