Yea Fremer's original review may have been prejudicial perhaps but I think another factory is at play. Lack of size and bling. Lot's of audiophiles like large massive turntables and lots like bling. the Monaco is neither of them, instead concentrates on audio quality.
I had the original Monaco at home with Tri-Planar tonearm for about 3 months when I was baby sitting for a friend. Sound wise it was very similar sounding to my Pioneer Exclusive P3 DD table, especially with its speed and continuous in the bass. proper speed control has a lot to do with that.
The only thing I did not like was the clamp system was part of the design and really something you had to use to get the best out of the design - for me it was a bit of a pita to use. that may say more about me than the table
but certainly a wonderful world class table.