Grand Prix Monaco review in new Stereophile- OUCH

Dear Mr Grooves and everyone following this thread. Without the benefit of heaving read your review of the Monaco turntable, I thank you (Grooves)for your elaborate explanations above. They are insightful and valuable to anyone interested. I've been reading your reviews for many years now and I think your job is not always easy.

I am a relatively "new" member in this hobby (about 2 years now) and in this audiophile business its tough to get set on the right path, if there is such a thing. Too many personalities with very strong opinions with the widest offering of products can really make you loose your way if you're not careful.

When I started this hobby I purchased the ML 32 pre-amp, 33H power amps, NO Valhalla ICs and SC, SF Stradivari speakers and an Accuphase DP77 source. I wanted the best first time around. But this system left me wondering if that was all there was to it...my expectations weren't met.
My dealer really just wanted to sell me the gear.

Then I met another dealer (Transparent Music Systems in PA) who showed me the Emmlabs source, Dartzeel combo, Evolution Acoustics speakers and the GPA Monaco tt. When I listened to this system, my jaw dropped to the floor like a brick. I'd been following threads on the Gon with people with exactly this setup, and I knew it was something special. But I actually verified and listened multiple long sessions at my dealer. So I changed my system to match my dealers reference system and I started a vinyl collection! Thanks Barry for turning me analog :-)

In my opinion the GPA Monaco turntable with Dynavector 507MK2 arm, XV-1s cartridge connected by a Stealth Hyperphono (beta)cable to the battery powered Dartzeel Pre-amp with its fantastic phono board connected with Zeel cable to the Dartzeel power amp and in turn connected to the Evolution Acoustics MM3 loudspeakers with EA cabling, ICs and PCs, Finite Elemente MR HD04 rack & Cerabase feet(GPA Amp stand for the NHB-108) is the best way to listen to the 17 Fone records I just aquired (all highly recommended). I'm done changing gear, now its time for the music, more analog music too.

When I met Alvin earlier this year and had the opportunity to listen and discus with him on his theory of the development of the Monaco tt I was immediately intrigued by his fresh approach. Before then I would have been more interested in say the new digital gear developments. But this turntable is a modern work of art with a high-tech approach. And as soon as we listened to Diana Krall on SACD (Emmlabs CDSA SE) and then the record version, it was so abundantly clear which was the -much- better sounding version. Vinyl was the winner handsdown. And this was only one example of many.

Now, as to how the Monaco tt compares to others, Continuum, SME 30, Walker, Transrotor, DPS, Avid is difficult to say. As you put it you can't possibly test all combinations of gear. But I have heard the best Walker tt at twice the price sound POORLY in another system.

The Continuum table/stand for me would never be able to justify their price, not once you've heard the Monaco in my system. The Continuum alone costs as much as my whole system!!!

No, for me I heard the MAGIC, disbelieve in suspense, shivers down my spine, goosebumps the size of n*ppl#s... But don't take my word for it, the best advise is always to listen for yourself, go check out the size of your goosebumps!!!

Mr Grooves, what you say about my first steps on the road to analog bliss? Did I make the right choices? Any areas for improvement?

Henry
(a happy GPA Monaco tt customer)

Triode, did you hear the "singing diva" on the GPA Monaco MP3 in the background? It may explain some of it, LOL!

One thing IS apparent, listening to an MP3 on a cheap PC, is NOT a professionally accepted way of auditioning (anyone, correct me if I am wrong here) $20-120k components.

But seriously, there are many more professional reviewers (Bolin, Weaver, Merod, Ebaen, Jensen, Abbate just to name some) that did not report over the past few years what MF heard from the GPA rack he used for his review. Which means that something else was not right...??? What could that be??? Maybe room acoustics???

Which in turn means that the detail setup and testing of components by professional reviewers, as experienced as they may be, is not an exact science and is DEFINITELY NOT AN EASY JOB. Maybe MF consulted for a second opinion with his collegue Mr Bolin, who gave the rack an excellent review 5 years ago without finding it singing like a diva?

Mr Grooves?

So, as we all know, the only way to truly have an independent credible opinion on a piece of gear would have been for a shootout type comparison, where Mr Fremer would be one of several experts giving his opinion. And you know all of the detailed setup. Until that happens there's NO knowing what something really sounds like, and the review is a reflection of his personal ears, system and interests. Unbelievable how so many audiophiles are so naive...

So the truth is somewhere inbetween Robinson and Fremer's opinion. I'm glad I have a system that brings out what Mr Robinson hears. I feel sorry for Mr Fremer, as the second time this year he's reviewed something extraordinarily good vs his personal reference but is unable - or unwilling - to say so wholehartedly. So much for his personal choices, I'm gladly not relying on Mr Fremers ears to buy my system components.

I do find one thing disturbing. That when taking a step back on his whole GPM review and ensuing discussion here, it seems to me that Mr Fremer does not like Mr Lloyd and his endeavors, shaking up audiphile establishement with forward thinking ideas and technologically advanced solutions. You know what eventually happens to those who cling onto established paradigms...they are left behind.

We need more of the Lloyds in our audiophile world and less Fremers. And to those that are put off by Fremers review I would suggest to buy the Caliburn, I heard its a great table, maybe if you ask you can get the same price as Mr Fremer...now wouldn't that be nice!

That last piece was worth more advertising dollars for Continuum than a double full size page in that Wall Street journal mentioned before. Excellent sales pitch! And there you have it.

Just to elaborate on my prior post.

I too love the audiophile world, as opposed to the Wallstreet Journal reviewer mentioned, and don't think there is a more worthy cause to push for than listening to great music through a great system (that is, besides eradicating famine or child abuse in the world). And we audiophile customers the world over want/need true independent reviewers that give us an indication of product performance of various brands.

I do dislike the often invisible politics behind the equipment review process, manufacturers and the intermingling of commercial interests that happens all too often, and I think it taints the review process. How can you as a reviewer when you are comparing two turntables, state your independent opinion when you in fact obtained an "accommodating price" for one of them. You can't. In fact by paying (or paying off in this case) an "accommodating price" you are in fact saying that you would not have purchased it at the customary price. Hence not buying into its value proposition. So if your not paying a company the normal margin it's asking for, you have to pay with something else. Something like your posts above.

This post is not to take away the tremendous contributions that Mr Fremer has made to the audiophile review business in the past and in the future. There can be no doubt about that. But in the case of the Monaco tt Stereophile review and the content of this ensuing thread is evidence of the apparent controversy and indicative of much that goes on in the equipment review world.

Dlanselm, no not every manufacturer provides an accommodating price to professional equipment reviewers. One of those is called Grand Prix Audio. It begs the question why a manufacturer would do that...other than get a favorable (re)view in return, certainly not out of charity. Why this review. Well, its MF controversial review details that sparked this debate, and fueled by same.

Lewn, you hit the nail on the head, MF view goes a long way in this industry, like Dlanselm says, may make or break companies. Not GPA though, too many other respected reviewers the world over with opposite opinion. MF and his controversial review stand alone in the professional reviewer world, why else do you think he on this thread in defense of his review? Especially the last 7 posts in a row should leave nobody in doubt about how things work in this business!

Keep spinning those records,
Henry

Lewn, I agree with you on the enjoyment and purpose of this great hobby. I just think we should not all behave as if the politics, that I illuded to, are not going on.

You can do one of two things, close your eyes or speak up and say something about it. Wherever there are commercial interests involved there will be consideration in exchange for opinion from reviewers. In such a world those with the strongest sense of ethics will be the ones that deserve the most respect. Alvin Lloyd is one of those persons.

I know this may be a topic that spans much more than Mr Fremers GPM review, and unfortunately is widespread within the business, putting large questionmarks around much that is reviewed today.

My loss for never trying a Denon, turntable that is, and here is a quote from a Japanese website from a well known (?) equipment reviewer who gave it a:

☆DR.IGARASHI　今日のBeer指数　90％ !!☆

I like the beer reference here, and 90% is not bad for a dd tt that claims the same speed accuracy as the GPA Monaco: 0.002%!!! I wonder where the Monaco or the Continuum ranks in their world ...

Lewn, a low-mid priced tt is currently defined as in the $1-2000 range? What are we squandering our hard earned money on...

Keep smiling :-) when you spin those records!