I tend to agree in part with Rauliruegas and I am the one who wrote the review in Stereophile. I do agree that people considering the table should read other full reviews and listen to for themselves, which is something I think should be done with any product being considered regardless of what any reviewer writes.
However, I do not agree that the Monaco is "truer" to the recording. I think it introduces a different set of colorations compared to a good belt drive. In particular, it definitely imparts a "drier" sound and truncates harmonic development. This was repeatable, record after record, and can be recognized even on an MP3, just as, if you read the Kuzma review I wrote, the Airline arm on the big 'table imparted a noticeable brightness compared to my reference and compared to other tables.
It is definitely true that unless one knows the recording it's impossible to tell. However, I can tell you that Greg Calbi, who mastered "Graceland" among hundreds of other LPs heard that album played back on the Caliburn and he was amazed to hear things he did not hear on the master tape. Now part of that was the resolution of my system which surpasses what he had in the mastering suite back then.
In addition, a gentleman who owns a Monaco visited me and while the 'table was gone, when I played him a CD-R of the same material transferred using both my reference and the Monaco, he heard precisely what I described in the review.
Now while I believe what I wrote about the sound of the turntable is accurate (how could I think otherwise?) I tried not to make value judgements because different tastes come into play. My aim was not to "damn with faint praise," I was just trying not to get either too effusive or too damning, which is what I try to do generally.
In fact, a guy who bought a Continuum Caliburn complained to me that my review was too mild mannered. He accused me of "holding back." Remember: I compared the Monaco to both the Caliburn and the Merill-Scillia.
If one wishes for "accuracy," you're better off with a CD player, which "measures" far better than any turntable. Of course speed accuracy is important but given that virtually every record is pressed slightly eccentric, (few are pressed 'dead center' is claimed perfect speed accuracy really the most important consideration?
Ultimately, I think anyone considering the Monaco should try to listen to it. It has many outstanding qualities and I tried to make those clear. It also has a distinctive "solid state" dryness that I could not deny. My reference is both recorded music and live: I attend the symphony monthly and attend other live events.
Yesterday I was at an event in Chicago and brought a CD-R along containing the same material transferred using my reference and the Monaco: same arm (Graham Phantom), cartridge and phono preamp. I played both without comment and the reaction was in line with what I wrote. I am sure that what I expressed in terms of sonics are accurate.
Why does the Monaco sound as it does? Read about Hall sensor commutated motors. The 'table does use sine wave commutation (as opposed to the less expensive square wave commutation) but just as belt drive has 'issues' (that can be addressed but not to perfection, which is what Continuum has done), so can direct drive but NOT to perfection, something I believe it can be inferred, Monaco claims for its design. If you look at how these motors work and do some online research, I just don't think "perfection" is possible and that what I heard is the characteristic of that lack of "perfection." Whatever the cause, I'm quite certain I described the sound accurately (of course I'd think that!).
As for the price, I disagree with whoever wrote that it didn't seem like it was worth the price. It is easily worth the price. The build quality is exquisite and the engineering superb, and everything about the presentation is first class. The 'table is a major achievment, it really is. I just found the sound dry and harmonically "tight." Play a piano recording on the Monaco and then on something like the Merrill. You'll hear it. That said, the Monaco stomped all over the Merrill (and most suspended 'tables I've heard) in the bottom octaves.
I was happy to see the posts here were very thoughtful and didn't attack me personally....--Fremer
