Dear all.
Tim asked me to share some thoughts about my time owning a Monaco TT V1 with Triplanar VII.
I am only too happy too, but my recollections of it may be of limited value given I haven't listened to vinyl since June 2019, and this deck was sold in August 2014. So all I can rely upon is (a rapidly failing) memory.
1. The form factor was small, which is aesthetically pleasing to me. I like simple small minimalist and streamlined things. Build quality was flawless.
2. The speed control via an external speed control was absolute. Something I liked very much changing from 33 to 45. You just pressed a button, it locked on, and away you went.
2a.Timing (speed control) is to my mind crucial when listening particularly to classical. By memory it (including stability) was perfect. There were no notes not on pitch.
3. It was completely silent.
4. Detail retrieval was excellent. It didn't make a bad recording good, but equally didn't punish it too much. Bass extension notable, if it was there.
5. Noise floor was non existent - it had the blackest of backgrounds.
6. It didn't need any isolation - that appeared to be inbuilt via the footers. It may have benefited from further isolation, but I didn't feel anything was missing.
7. The clamp worked very well. It spun down easily. I actually think this was a thing with this deck - ie it worked better with the clamp than without it. I seem to recall the clamp was sensitive to pressure. Something like 'firm and then back off 1/4 of a turn' seemed to work best for me.
8. Static wasn't an issue.
9. It took and was tolerant to different tonearms. I liked the Triplanar VII I had with it. The dealer I bought it off had a Morsch. Each tonearm by memory had its own armboard made to fit it.
10. I found scaling - which I think of how quickly you can go with transients ie from zero to 100 to zero - excellent. Torque was monstrous. A corollary was extension and control. It exerted, as I recall, something of an iron grip.
11. Tone - as far as that derives from a deck - I happen to think it is the sum of the whole, but anchored by speed control - was first rate.I never thought it 'sterile' - although that again is the sum of the whole.
12. It was able to be upgraded to the 1.5 at modest cost, by the distributor.
13. Edit: Thought of another - it was beautifully engineered.
I think that is all I can say. Ultimately the most resounding memory I have of it was its perfect speed control, detail, black background and huge torque and control, and a lovely form factor. I adored it, and in retrospect, was among the few items I truly regret selling.
I don't have any photos from that time of ownership unfortunately.
However to make this more interesting, I found a picture of my old 57's which it was primarily partnered with, from a subsequent resale. I had them refurbished, powder coated white, and bought custom legs for them.
Thank you for reading.
ps - Hi Shane (XV-1)!