Grand Prix Monaco review in new Stereophile- OUCH

When someone makes the statement and I quote "Based on what I saw with the accelerometer taped to the top carbon fiber shelf, the stand "sang like a diva" throughout the midrange" Well all the accelerometers I ever used I had to use the 10-32 threaded part in the bottom of the accelerometer to bolt it down so you would get a accurate reading. I question the test Mr.Grooves has done. I have worked for Freescale Semiconductor for 10 yrs in the accelerometer test and development division.

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.