Grand Prix Monaco review in new Stereophile- OUCH

Dear Raul, I think MF usually uses the Cobra tonearm on his Caliburn tt and that for the sake of the comparison, he mounted (whatever tonearm) on his Caliburn and the same one was used with the GPM, so he is NOT guilty of trying to force the GPM to perform in a system that was customized for his Caliburn. Moreover, with all due respect, you are missing the point. The point is that in order to do such a comparison, one must observe the scientific method - change only one variable at a time. In this case, he held the system constant and changed only the two turntables (plus unfortunately the turntable stands), and he heard what he said he heard. End of story. One could well argue that the Mike heard the difference between the two stands moreso than the difference between the two turntables, but he did as he was asked by the GPM manufacturer.

Your point that further tweaking of the GPM in isolation could possibly make it superior to the Caliburn is unchallengable, since in the end this is all about subjective judgment.

By the way, I have no dog in this fight; I cannot afford either turntable.

Dear Koegz: Let put things in " other " way ( because we are talking about the same subject ): when you change a component in any audio system you have to deal with a different kind of distortions/colorations/noises that could like you or not, if not IMHO I think that the people that cares about quality sound reproduction should be try to find what is happen and try to " fine tune " elsewhere to be nearer his expectations.

Now, at the level of product that we are talking almost no product will sound bad, maybe different but not bad and like I told you we always could make a fine tunning, don't you think?

Come on, when you change for a different cartridge: what do you do?: I think that you try to fine tunning till you are satisfied: right?
Now, if you don't do it then we are talking in different audio language and we are losting our time.
This is not who or whom has the reason but where we can meet/coincide.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Raul

MF also compared the Monaco against the Merrill or are you forgetting that.

No-one has seemed defensive against his comments on the Merrill???

has anyone heard the Merrill??

Dear Lewm: +++++ " you are missing the point. The point is that in order to do such a comparison, one must observe the scientific method - change only one variable at a time. " +++++

IMHO I don't think I miss the point because in my experience when you change a TT or a cartridge or a tonearm, in theory, you are changing only one variable but it is not so simple, it is very complex: when you change any of those analog audio items you are changing several variables because each analog link is not self independent: it depends of the other analog links and its self variables change ( could change ) when the other variables change.
I'm sorry my english limitations make very difficult to me try to explain you how complex is the whole analog process.

At the end we not have to agree about you have your point of view ( that I respect ) and I have mine.

Think how many variables change when MF switch from the Caliburn to the Monaco and if you still think that only change one variable then you and me does not nothing to talk on this subject: different drive system, different mass platter, different platter material, different arm board, different plynth, different footers, different..., different..., etc, etc, so complex!!!!! and that's why we need to fine tunning.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Raul,you are getting a bit carried away with some of your assertions!Not that you are wrong,but to be honest if someone is interested in a product,they usually assert their own perception and tastes first,"then" weigh the benefits of a good,or bad review!
I really don't believe you have to get so technical,with your arguement.Sometimes it is beyond technicality!!!Either something interests us enough to "discover" the benefits of ownership,or not!
To pick apart every single parameter could take a lifetime,if we became so obsessed.Everything has it's positive and negative side!Intuition can play a big part,in a purchase,if we have a general grasp of the product,and what we want from it.
I think Mikey,did a commendable job,with this table(I don't always agree with him,as it should be).Why do I absolutely know this??Because I would NEVER want to do his job!!!!It is a NO win situation,with the attitudes of the hyper-audiophile legions,waiting to find something to pick on.
The reviewer job is to give us a roadmap,to "see" if this particular product is something we find interesting,and are capable of acquiring.Just to point us in a direction.We make the choice to take it further.He cannot cover every possible consideration,or he would surely go nuts!
You cannot cover ALL the different parameters with a product like an analog playback rig!There are too many variables.You "surley" know this!
Fremer did a damn good(enough) job,and if I was interested in the product,I would want to check it out,regardless of how the review shaped up.
When I bought my Avalon Ascent speakers,Michael Gindi(a reviewer at the time,and a person with good intention)was pretty adamant about my buying them.He was a friend of a friend,but was nice enough to invite me to his home(before the speakers came out)and then followed up with numerous compelling phone calls(to me)trying to convince me to acquire the speakers.He was a good salesman,btw!
I went to Mike Hobson's place(he was a dealer at the time)to check them out,and the performance was far from stellar!
Though I was disapointed,I still felt I had gotten enough good feedback,and heard enough in the speaker to "kind of like",that I put down a deposit on them,knowing that these products "had" to be better than the demo performance.I went with my own intuition,and perceptions of what I would ultimately get(which I got in spades,btw).
Personally,I think anyone wanting to acquire something like a MONACO,will not be dissuaded by a so-so review!
Sometimes you have to go with your own instincts!"THAT" cannot be tested for!
Best regards.