Monoprice has aggressively introduced higher-end audio products under its Monolith brand, including amplifiers, speakers, subwoofers, and more. So, what’s next for the Monolith brand? Monoprice Monolith Turntables.
Here is what Hobie Sechrest, Monolith Business Unit Manager for Monoprice has to say:
“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…..with modern features like USB output and Bluetooth connectivity.…”
With that, Monolith has introduced three turntables (models 600045, 60046, and 600047).
Monoprice Monolith Turntables – Core Features
Here are the core features of the Monolith Turntable line-up.
Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tonearm with Adjustable Counterweight and Anti-Skating Adjustments: This reduces unwanted vibrations for better sound clarity. The tonearm, counterweight, and anti-skating system can be easily calibrated to ensure the stylus sits perfectly in the vinyl groove. This minimizes uneven stylus wear, optimizes L/R channel balance, and delivers the best possible sound from any album.
Audio-Technica Cartridges: The base model turntable (600045) has an Audio-Technica® AT-3600L cartridge ($24 at Amazon) preinstalled. This cartridge offers excellent value and delivers a balanced listening experience with warm bass, smooth mids, and crisp highs.
The two higher-end models (600046 and 600047) come with the Audio-Technica® AT-VM95E cartridge ($69 at Amazon). This cartridge features an elliptical stylus and supports a powerful output level, excellent channel separation, and low distortion for better tonal quality. The durable, low–resonance housing includes threaded inserts that enable the cartridge to be mounted to the headshell with just two screws – no nuts required.
Aluminum Platter with Belt Drive System: The belt drive mechanism and aluminum die-cast platter combine to reduce vibrations for increased audio performance. Sturdy but lightweight, the platter stays stable during playback, allowing the music to stand out.
Built-in Phono Preamp: The feature allows you to connect the turntable to any set of powered speakers, integrated stereo amplifier, home theater receiver that doesn’t have a dedicated phono input.
Switchable Phono/Line Output: If you desire, you can bypass the turntable’s phono preamp and connect the turntable to an amplifier or receiver that does have a dedicated phono input.
Bluetooth®: This allows listeners to wirelessly connect the turntable to any Bluetooth–enabled playback device (such as a wireless speaker or headphones).
USB Output: This allows connection directly to an outboard DAC or computer. This option is compatible with Audacity® free, the open-source, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows®, macOS®, and GNU/Linux®.
Design and Color
The Monolith 600045/AT-3600L turntable features a sleek glossy black finish that shines across the base of the turntable, while machined aluminum speed selector and start/stop knobs provide a classy contrast.
The 600046/AT–VM95E-equipped model comes in a Walnut finish with anodized black aluminum control knobs.
The Monolith 600047/AT–VM95E-equipped turntable has the same glossy black as the 600045/AT-3600L model.
All three models include a clear, hinged, dust cover.
What Comes in the Box
- Turntable Base with preinstalled or self-installable Cartridge
- Lid
- Counterweight
- Anti‑Skating Weight
- Platter with Belt
- Slip Mat
- Cartridge Alignment Protractor
- 45 RPM Adapter
- USB Cable (Type‑A to Type‑B)
- AC Power Adapter
- User’s Manual
Turntables Compared
| Model 600045 | Model 600046/600047 | |
| Nominal Platter Speeds | 33 1/3 or 45 RPM | 33 1/3 or 45 RPM |
| Speed Variance | ±1.5% | ±1.5% |
| Wow and Flutter | ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.15% |
| Signal‑to‑Noise Ratio | 55dB | 55dB |
| Tracking Force Range | 0 ~ 4.0 g | 0 ~ 2.2 g |
| Tonearm Material | Carbon fiber | Carbon fiber |
| Effective Tonearm Length | 8.60″ (218.5 mm) | 8.60″ (218.5 mm) |
| Overhang | 0.73″ (18.5 mm) | 0.73″ (18.5 mm) |
| Input Power | 12 VDC, 500mA | 12 VDC, 500mA |
| AC Adapter Input Power | 100 ~ 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, <200mA | 100 ~ 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, <200mA |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 5 watts | 5 watts |
| Dimensions | 16.5″ x 14.2″ x 4.9″ (420 x 360 x 125 mm) | 16.5″ x 14.2″ x 4.9″ (420 x 360 x 125 mm) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
Cartridge Comparison
| Audio‑Technica® AT‑3600L | Audio‑Technica® AT‑VM95E | |
| Replacement Stylus | ATN3600L | AT‑VMN95E |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| Stylus Shape | Conical | Elliptical |
| Recommended Tracking Force | 3.5g ±0.5g | 2.0g ±0.2g |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz ~ 20kHz | 20Hz ~ 20kHz |
| Recommended Load Resistance | 47kΩ | 47kΩ |
| Channel Balance | < 2.5dB | < 2.0dB |
| Channel Separation | > 18dB | > 20dB |
| Output Voltage | 2.5mV | 4.0mV |
| Weight | 0.18 oz. (5 g) | 0.22 oz. (6.1 g) |
Pricing and Availability
All three turntables are now available direct from Monoprice:
Model 600047 with AT–VM95E Cartridge: $249.99 at monoprice.com (black)
Model 600046 with AT–VM95E Cartridge: $249.99 at monoprice.com (walnut)
Model 600045 with AT–3600L Cartridge: $199.99 at monoprice.com (black)
Tip: Monoprice/Monolith provides a 1-year replacement warranty, as well as 30-day no questions asked return policy.
ORT
February 22, 2022 at 12:37 am
Hello the house!
As a fan of music in the round (vinyl!) I must say ’tis good to see these new ‘tables from Monoprice! Huzzah!
I have turntables by Teac, Dual, Technics, Denon and my crown jewel, my Dual. Still, I might be tempted to purchase the walnut finished item.
Playing records is not just about listening to music. It’s about listening to whatis in your heart.
I cue mine up as often as possible. I highly recommend do so.
ORT
Creighton
February 22, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Why cannot we find a turntable that allows stacked albums?
Ian White
February 22, 2022 at 2:43 pm
There are vintage turntables that do that but the market today won’t go for that.
Ian White
Geoffrey Swenson
February 26, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Because it isn’t amenable to good sound. The stack itself would act as a big source of unwanted vibration. Secondly, most audiophile turntables are suspended so having different weights of records on them would cause the suspension to collapse, what they did for these years ago was make the suspension -if they had one at all – so stiff that unwanted room vibrations distort the sound. Thirdly the angle of the tonearm varies from the stacking, completely messing up tracking force. Lastly the stack with hard records rather than a sound absorbing mat under the records also causes distortion.
Ian White
February 26, 2022 at 1:16 pm
Exactly this.
Gimmick versus good sound.
Ian White