Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3.0 turntable

[Hyperion]

Ok, so I went to my semi-local dealer and he set up the Monaco 3.0 with a Koetsu blue lace cartridge next to an AMG Viella with teatro cartridge. My Viella has a Koetsu so not an exact duplicate of my system. i love my Viella and plays beautifully but thought i would try out the Monaco. It was immediately apparent the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up which is saying a lot because the Viella is awesome. I’ve never heard the Monaco 2.0 so can’t comment on improvements. I’m ordering with the triplaner SE arm and using rca cables for phono rather than din based on dealer recommendations. He is using Cardas Clear beyond rca with a Cardas wood block to connect to arm in his showroom so I’ll probably do that as well. Delivery is supposedly 6-8 weeks

These are two very different tables where we're comparing mass and beltdrive (AMG) to directdrive (GPA). We're also looking at tables and cartridges on two very different levels. The Koetsu Blue Lace (top of the line) is one of the worlds greatest cartridges, where's the AMG Teatro (now discontinued) is approaching mid level at best in comparison.

A more fair comparison would have been the AMG Viella Forte vs GPS Monaco 3.0 using the same cartridge connected to the same system overall. Not easy, but certainly doable.

It's important to look at the hole picture when making comparisons like this.

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Ok, so I went to my semi-local dealer and he set up the Monaco 3.0 with a Koetsu blue lace cartridge next to an AMG Viella with teatro cartridge. My Viella has a Koetsu so not an exact duplicate of my system. i love my Viella and plays beautifully but thought i would try out the Monaco. It was immediately apparent the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up which is saying a lot because the Viella is awesome. I’ve never heard the Monaco 2.0 so can’t comment on improvements. I’m ordering with the triplaner SE arm and using rca cables for phono rather than din based on dealer recommendations. He is using Cardas Clear beyond rca with a Cardas wood block to connect to arm in his showroom so I’ll probably do that as well. Delivery is supposedly 6-8 weeks

What made you go for the Triplanar SE arm 'Lxgreen' and not say a Kuzma 4Point 11" or 14" or even the new Kuzma Safir9 ?

 

[jfrech]

Ok, so I went to my semi-local dealer and he set up the Monaco 3.0 with a Koetsu blue lace cartridge next to an AMG Viella with teatro cartridge. My Viella has a Koetsu so not an exact duplicate of my system. i love my Viella and plays beautifully but thought i would try out the Monaco. It was immediately apparent the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up which is saying a lot because the Viella is awesome. I’ve never heard the Monaco 2.0 so can’t comment on improvements. I’m ordering with the triplaner SE arm and using rca cables for phono rather than din based on dealer recommendations. He is using Cardas Clear beyond rca with a Cardas wood block to connect to arm in his showroom so I’ll probably do that as well. Delivery is supposedly 6-8 weeks

Congratulations ! I've had my Monaco for over 10 years now. 1, then 2, and mine is now at Grand Prix getting updated to 3.0. I am hoping to have back by end of March. I am using my dealers 2.0 at home right now.

I've had a few arms on my table, the Tri Planar is good, other arms are good matches as well. I am using the same RCA set up as your dealer with good results.

 

[Ron Resnick]

It was immediately apparent the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up

Congratulations!

Can you tell us please in what ways sonically the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up from your AMG?

What did you hear that you liked from the Monaco 3.0 more than the AMG?

 

[Lxgreen]

These are two very different tables where we're comparing mass and beltdrive (AMG) to directdrive (GPA). We're also looking at tables and cartridges on two very different levels. The Koetsu Blue Lace (top of the line) is one of the worlds greatest cartridges, where's the AMG Teatro (now discontinued) is approaching mid level at best in comparison.

A more fair comparison would have been the AMG Viella Forte vs GPS Monaco 3.0 using the same cartridge connected to the same system overall. Not easy, but certainly doable.

It's important to look at the hole picture when making comparisons like this.

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

Agree. Good points

 

[Lxgreen]

What made you go for the Triplanar SE arm 'Lxgreen' and not say a Kuzma 4Point 11" or 14" or even the new Kuzma Safir9 ?

Based on the reviews, both arms seemed good but many users preferr the Kuzma. I spoke at length with dealer about this and he thought both were great but said Grand Prix puts the triplaner on their show tables. the dealer sells most of his tables with the triplaner so I just went with his recommendation. Im assuming he just has more experience with triplaner.

 

[Lxgreen]

Congratulations!

Can you tell us please in what ways sonically the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up from your AMG?

What did you hear that you liked from the Monaco 3.0 more than the AMG?

As the dealer was playing records switching back and forth between both tables,i could hear better separation of instruments with the Monaco. The high frequencies were portrayed in stunning detail and the lower frequencies were solid with full articulation of notes. Overall, the Monaco presented a larger sound stage and I just sat smiling through most of the demo. Again, the Viella sounded very nice as well but the difference was clearly audible, not just different. Photos from dealers set up attached

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

As the dealer was playing records switching back and forth between both tables,i could hear better separation of instruments with the Monaco. The high frequencies were portrayed in stunning detail and the lower frequencies were solid with full articulation of notes. Overall, the Monaco presented a larger sound stage and I just sat smiling through most of the demo. Again, the Viella sounded very nice as well but the difference was clearly audible, not just different. Photos from dealers set up attached

Must be the camera angle as the Koetsu looks like it is leaning down and to the right !

 

[Lxgreen]

I will be in Tokyo in a couple of weeks And was considering buying a phono cartridge there. Any thoughts on which Japanese cartridges would be a good match for the Monaco? I know Koetsu would be great but I heard it’s hard to find a Koetsu retail dealer in Tokyo. I would also be curious to find a Japanese brand that is not exported. Any thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[tima]

Any thoughts on which Japanese cartridges would be a good match for the Monaco?

If you are doing research, I suggest thinking about this in terms of what would be a good match with your Tri-Planar tone arm. I have both Tri-Planar and 11" Kuzma 4P with my Monaco. If you were going to Holland my suggestion would be a van den Hul Master Signature for the TP. In Japan, a ZYX, though the American distributor (sorasound) may have more options within the brand. If you had the 4P, Fuuga in Japan.

 

[jfrech]

If you are doing research, I suggest thinking about this in terms of what would be a good match with your Tri-Planar tone arm. I have both Tri-Planar and 11" Kuzma 4P with my Monaco. If you were going to Holland my suggestion would be a van den Hul Master Signature for the TP. In Japan, a ZYX, though the American distributor (sorasound) may have more options within the brand. If you had the 4P, Fuuga in Japan.

As to Japanese cartridges, I had a good experience with Lyra's on my Monaco when I had a Tri-Planar. I had a Helikon and later a Lyra Atlas. Later on I moved to an J.A. Allaerts. So I'm with Tima there are some other great cartridge matches.

(Tima, my Monaco 3.0 should arrive in a week or two, I have my dealers 2.0 on loan now so will get a full 3.0 vs 2.0 comparison, same everything else)

 

[jfrech]

Update. My Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3.0 is likely to ship early next week. I'm hoping to have it in my system by Friday next week. I still have my dealers 2.0 so will be a direct comparison using my arm and 2 cartridges, just move the arm board (and double check alignment). I am very much looking forward to this. Alvin is saying I'll fall over backwards on the improvements...I hope I do

 

[No Regrets]

Any idea if this table will be at AXPONA next weekend? I’d love to hear it!

 

[jfrech]

Umm. Wow. Just arrived today. I have the 3.0 motor controller and battery PSU on my dealers Monaco 2.0. My 3.0 TT is in the pelican case downstairs and my dealer will come out tomorrow.

This is no small change. More to come...

 

[jfrech]

...It was immediately apparent the Monaco 3.0 was a big step up which is saying a lot because the Viella is awesome. I’ve never heard the Monaco 2.0 so can’t comment on improvements....

I see why you like the Monaco 3.0. It's immediately apparent that the 3.0 is a big step up from the 2.0 from my listening in my room now!

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

I see why you like the Monaco 3.0. It's immediately apparent that the 3.0 is a big step up from the 2.0 from my listening in my room now!

Awesome. Congratulations 'jfrech'

 

[tima]

Umm. Wow. Just arrived today. I have the 3.0 motor controller and battery PSU on my dealers Monaco 2.0. My 3.0 TT is in the pelican case downstairs and my dealer will come out tomorrow.

This is no small change. More to come...

View attachment 107970

Is that a GPA supplied power cord for the psu?

Big congratulations John.

 

[Lxgreen]

Umm. Wow. Just arrived today. I have the 3.0 motor controller and battery PSU on my dealers Monaco 2.0. My 3.0 TT is in the pelican case downstairs and my dealer will come out tomorrow.

This is no small change. More to come...

View attachment 107970

Umm. Wow. Just arrived today. I have the 3.0 motor controller and battery PSU on my dealers Monaco 2.0. My 3.0 TT is in the pelican case downstairs and my dealer will come out tomorrow.

This is no small change. More to come...

View attachment 107970

Very nice! I see you received the power supply in black. I also ordered black since I wasn’t thrilled with the odd color shown at the dealer. I wonder if you can specify any color or if they only have black or the odd orangy color I saw at dealer?

 

[jfrech]

Is that a GPA supplied power cord for the psu?

Big congratulations John.

haha, good eye. No, it's a (I think) 20+ year old Electraglide power cord. The first power cord I ever bought. For some reason it gets pressed into duty at times like this. I have a Transparent PIMM that I may move from my router/nas drive to power this. GPA just included a standard beldin (again I think) cord.

The owners manual says when you press the round PSU button it goes from Auto to full AC isolation, so power cords may not matter at all here.

 

[jfrech]

Very nice! I see you received the power supply in black. I also ordered black since I wasn’t thrilled with the odd color shown at the dealer. I wonder if you can specify any color or if they only have black or the odd orangy color I saw at dealer?

I think just black and that funky Orange or Gold or if we have to debate it that says something about that color choice .

More listening last night and this am. Again, still on my dealers 2.0 table, so just the battery PSU and 3.0 motor controller. It clearly has more drive, more delicacy, but more power, more resolution, more relaxed, the 3d ness of the imaging, and just how the speakers disappear in a vast 3d sound stage...I am sincerely impressed and frankly taken aback by the degree of change from the 2.0.

My dealer should be out today and we'll get my 3.0 up and going...