Grand Prix Monaco review in new Stereophile- OUCH

Mr. Fremer, it was my understanding that you kept the Halcyonics Micro 40 isolation platform after the review was completed. IMO that platform would have been an excellent support for the Monaco table.

Perhaps you had already returned the Micro 40 by the time the Monaco table came along. I believe that the US distributor for Halcyonics is in your area. If you do write a followup to the review, the Micro 40 would certainly be a choice worth considering. I have tried a Micro 40 sitting on a GP stand to support an EMM transport. The results were very audible and positive. Perhaps they would be in the GPM application as well.

It's "grooves" but of course it's all "subjective" and dependent upon many factors. Those are givens. However, do this long enough and get it wrong too many times and you've got no credibility. In Stereophile you write your "subjective" (I prefer "observational") impressions and then there are measurements. When it comes to speakers I try to predict what the measurements reveal and I have a pretty good track record in that regard. There should be more information in reviews than just subjective sonic opinions and there usually are in the good ones, including information that's valuable when considering a purchase.

I returned the Halcyonics stand as I do all gear I don't buy. I have no doubt that Halcyonics made a difference....

I don't mind the bit**ing or the personal attacks. It's unfortunate, but part of the territory. Instead, you should visit the Wall Street Journal and look up a piece by a guy named Terry Teachout about "deaf audiophiles." This guy is dangerous and is deserving of a well written (not nasty) email. His address is there. The guy hates us and has been at it for quite some time.

Constructive criticism is always welcome but how many times do people complain that reviewers "never say anything negative" and then when they do, they complain about them too!!!!

The Monaco turntable is something everyone should spend some time listening to. It's strong suits may outweight the negative ones for you, or you may not hear the negatives I pointed out at all. Also remember that reviews put products under a microscope and when that's removed some of the problems diminish in size....

It's important to point them out though because short term you might not hear them but long term (once you plunk down yer money) you might! A reviewer's job is to find those "issues" quickly and point them out...at least that's how I see my job.....

the fluid amount has to do with critical damping and the critical damping will for the most part be dependent upon the weight of the cartridge and its compliance. Underdamping will usually cause the sound to be brighter and 'faster,' overdamping will make it sluggish-sounding, thick and sometimes dark and veiled. Yes, this is an important consideration...