If Monoprice is already the favorite option for sensible consumers looking for value and quality, for those feeling tempted to experience (or relive) the inconvenience of vinyl, these Monolith turntables are the safest route. As long as users don't see Youtube videos of people scratching records in the 80's, and attempt to do the same with these belt-drive platters, they should be able to get the music playing without damaging their precious investments (good thing that today's expensive vinyls also include a digital download code, just in case).
"With vinyl records making a massive comeback, we set out to create a line of turntables capable of capturing the depth, texture and warmth of LP and 45 listening, that doesn't break the bank," says Hobie Sechrest, Monolith Business Unit Manager, Monoprice. And over-enthusiastically, he goes on to say: "Our new premium belt drive turntables are precision engineered and rich with modern features like USB output and Bluetooth connectivity. Combining stellar build quality with quality components ensures that music is purely recreated exactly as the artist intended it to sound."
Of course, it's important to underscore that vinyl - outside of the hands of very devoted experts - was never the music "as the artist intended," and that the unique sound features of vinyl are probably going to be lost if transmitted over Bluetooth SBC (although some clicks and crackling might survive...). Anyway, these Monolith turntables are still better than many lower-priced options that are starting to show up in supermarkets and should be labeled as "record-scratchers".
Available starting from $199.99 at monoprice.com, the new Monolith Belt Drive Turntables offer a carbon fiber arm that is both lightweight and exceptionally rigid, offering the possibility to calibrate the tonearm with the counterweight and anti‑skating system to ensure the stylus sits perfectly in the vinyl groove - you'll just need to read the 300 page manual to learn how to do that or pretend you know how to do it.
The base model turntable comes with an Audio‑Technica AT‑3600L cartridge preinstalled, offering excellent value and safety for inexperience users who don't know you need a cartridge - which is the thing that holds the stylus (the thing needed to touch the record in order to "read" the sound). Two slightly better models are loaded with Audio‑Technica AT‑VM95E cartridges that feature an elliptical stylus for more output.
All three turntables feature selectable phono level (if you don't know what a phono preamp is, don't use it) and line level outputs (use it in case you don't know what phono means), enabling listeners to connect to any amplifier or powered speakers. Integrated Bluetooth lets users wirelessly connect the turntable to the kitchen smart speaker (warning: if you are cooking and your hands are full of flour, it's not a good idea to touch the record to play the other side - yes, unlike CDs, vinyl holds music in both faces).
All three Monolith Turntables also feature an USB output to connect directly to an outboard DAC (if you bought these turntables, you don't need a DAC) or to connect to the computer - in case you want to "digitize" the music of the older vinyls you have and which don't have a corresponding digital download code (there's a 300 page book that explains how to do that if you are using Windows and Audacity software).
The Monolith AT-3600L turntable is available in glossy black finish that gets visibly decorated with your fingerprints - showing proof of your dedication to the hobby - while the Monolith AT‑VM95E-equipped turntable can also be had in a rich Walnut finish with anodized black aluminum control knobs - in case you want to fool your friends into thinking this costed over a grand. On top, all three Monolith turntables are equipped with a stylish, lightly tinted dust cover - which is a thing that is important if you have a house cat, but is removable and is normally discarded so you don't look like an amateur record collector.
Monoprice backs these new turntables with a 1-year replacement warranty — which is way more than you need to understand if you really are going to use the thing. Adding further peace of mind, Monoprice offers a 30-day no questions asked return policy (just don't send back also your scratched records - no need for shame). If you actually enjoy vinyl, know what "phono" is, and need to buy a turntable that doesn't insult your vinyl-expert friends and doesn't make you regret you could have bought another guitar instead, these Monolith turntables are pretty decent. (just don't use Bluetooth with vinyl - just don't).
www.monoprice.com
Note: Added comments express the author's opinion exclusively - and that is why the press release was bylined.
