Post by Monarchy Audio on Jan 21, 2013 15:57:12 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
The M18C DAC will be offered in a near future. So in case you haven't heard about the older version (A/B) in the early days, here are some comments from people who heard it:
Mun-Wai Low
Director, Extended Audio Solutions
www.audiophysic.com
Dear Mr Poon,
Many thanks for sending down the Monarchy 18B DAC and DIP 24/96. Please extend my thanks to June who did a very professional job handling the shipping.
I'm a bit lost for words with the 18B DAC without repeating what has been said before. When I unpacked the unit, I was immediately impressed by the look, feel and build quality. It looks solid, feels solid and is solid. Amazing how you can do this for the price. Looking inside the box, the parts are obviously all audiophile grade and hand picked for the purpose. However,
when I plugged in the 18B and actually heard it - wow. Impressive stuff but with the DIP in place as well this is when I found it really opens up (I'm so glad you offered me the DIP as well) and does everything superb. I thought I'd go all the way and replace my pre-amp a Matisse Reference. Wow! While the Matisse had a fully body, I thought the 18B was faster and more precise. Both were excellent sounding and different in presentation but I was completely surprised that the 18B pre-amp section was holding its own against the Matisse. In a word "music" is what the 18B is does.
Since I have left the 18B and DIP with Len Wallis Audio which is one our partners (for Audio Physic) and one of the largest Australian hi-fi shops. I guess they would be equivalent to Sound by Singer but obviously not as large; the Aussie highend market is very small by comparison. They've subsequently sold my beloved unit! While I wasn't expecting them to do this, they were all quite impressed by the 18B and by Monarchy Audio (which they've never heard of until now). I have also passed them some of your
brochures. Anyway, I certainly need a replacement for myself - perhaps a 33B! I wonder how good the 33B can be if the 18B is already that good...
Thank again for your help. I'm now a big Monarchy fan!
Warm Regards,
Mun-Wai Low
Robert Hart
Audio Tweakers, Inc.
Hi Poon,
Just thought I would update you on our impressions of your 18B vs the Bel Canto DAC1.
My partner came over to hear it for the first time tonite. He confirmed what I heard brand new, right out of the box. This was really no contest at all- your 18 B is much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! This comparison was done using my Klyne 7.3 LXBP ($5600 preamp). Next, we hooked the 18B direct ( I forgot I had a pair of Monster Y connectors)- the sound was cleaner and deeper. As soon as I sell the Klyne, I'll order a stereo 70. I'll only need one for the 103 dB efficient Avantgarde Duos which I'll be getting in about one month. Even the 25 watts will be overkill.
Do you have any DSD/SACD tricks up your sleeve?
??
Thanks for making such a terrific product. Assuming the amp sounds comparable, I'ld like to talk about carrying the line.
Robert Hart
The M18C DAC will be offered in a near future. So in case you haven't heard about the older version (A/B) in the early days, here are some comments from people who heard it:
Mun-Wai Low
Director, Extended Audio Solutions
www.audiophysic.com
Dear Mr Poon,
Many thanks for sending down the Monarchy 18B DAC and DIP 24/96. Please extend my thanks to June who did a very professional job handling the shipping.
I'm a bit lost for words with the 18B DAC without repeating what has been said before. When I unpacked the unit, I was immediately impressed by the look, feel and build quality. It looks solid, feels solid and is solid. Amazing how you can do this for the price. Looking inside the box, the parts are obviously all audiophile grade and hand picked for the purpose. However,
when I plugged in the 18B and actually heard it - wow. Impressive stuff but with the DIP in place as well this is when I found it really opens up (I'm so glad you offered me the DIP as well) and does everything superb. I thought I'd go all the way and replace my pre-amp a Matisse Reference. Wow! While the Matisse had a fully body, I thought the 18B was faster and more precise. Both were excellent sounding and different in presentation but I was completely surprised that the 18B pre-amp section was holding its own against the Matisse. In a word "music" is what the 18B is does.
Since I have left the 18B and DIP with Len Wallis Audio which is one our partners (for Audio Physic) and one of the largest Australian hi-fi shops. I guess they would be equivalent to Sound by Singer but obviously not as large; the Aussie highend market is very small by comparison. They've subsequently sold my beloved unit! While I wasn't expecting them to do this, they were all quite impressed by the 18B and by Monarchy Audio (which they've never heard of until now). I have also passed them some of your
brochures. Anyway, I certainly need a replacement for myself - perhaps a 33B! I wonder how good the 33B can be if the 18B is already that good...
Thank again for your help. I'm now a big Monarchy fan!
Warm Regards,
Mun-Wai Low
Robert Hart
Audio Tweakers, Inc.
Hi Poon,
Just thought I would update you on our impressions of your 18B vs the Bel Canto DAC1.
My partner came over to hear it for the first time tonite. He confirmed what I heard brand new, right out of the box. This was really no contest at all- your 18 B is much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! This comparison was done using my Klyne 7.3 LXBP ($5600 preamp). Next, we hooked the 18B direct ( I forgot I had a pair of Monster Y connectors)- the sound was cleaner and deeper. As soon as I sell the Klyne, I'll order a stereo 70. I'll only need one for the 103 dB efficient Avantgarde Duos which I'll be getting in about one month. Even the 25 watts will be overkill.
Do you have any DSD/SACD tricks up your sleeve?
??Thanks for making such a terrific product. Assuming the amp sounds comparable, I'ld like to talk about carrying the line.
Robert Hart
