Grand Prix Monaco review in new Stereophile- OUCH

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.

11-13-07: Mtkhl567 wrote:
"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."

Yes, this is from a Monaco TT owner. So.... nothing strange here.

Mtkhl567, Do you really mean to say that the pursuit of a fine audio system takes third place to eliminating famine and child abuse as worthy goals? See, that's the problem here. What about the mess in the Middle East, the gradual collapse of the US economy due to globalization, HIV, pandemic flu, global warming, etc, etc, etc? Audio and the music that good audio systems reproduce is merely a nice hobby to take our minds off such vexing problems, but only momentarily I hope. Relax; you should not need Mr Fremer or anyone else to validate your purchasing decision.

By the way, given the cost of the Continuum Caliburn, I don't think advertising is relevant or needed. The megabuckers who have the dough will find it or be led to it by their advisors or by MF's passion for it. All the advertising in the world could not get the vast majority to fork over $120,000 for a turntable/tonearm/stand.

"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."

I disagree. Mike, compares all products value to him at "accommodating" prices, hence they are all on the same playing field.

BTW, why are so many in this thread disrespectful referring to Mike as "Mikey", as you would a 10 year old? Are you trying to put him in his place?

Does anyone or Mike, remember a review Mike gave to a 20-30k turntable a year or so ago that he pretty much slammed?
I remember after reading that review thinking to myself that that company will be out of business in a year, as it was so brutal. At that time their was no public debate about that review. Why all this debate about the Monaco? Is it self interest?