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Monarchy M22c upgrade?

post #1 of 21
4/25/10 at 12:10am
Thread Starter 
Been running a Monarchy M22c Dac + Piggy back burr brown for several years and have been quite satifsied with it's sound. The Monarchy was a major improvement to the replaced Entech 203.2 Dac. I just got the upgrade bug itch, so for those with experience with the Monarchy, please advise on which dACs that you guys think would be a major improvement to the M22c for around $500. I have in mind a Bel Canto Dac2, and not considering the Monarchy M24 because new Monarchys are made in China now.. Thanks!
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post #2 of 21
4/25/10 at 3:14pm
Who cares where they are made, is the sound that matters. Unless you say so due to labor laws and environmental laws differences. Even at that, it is another country and so be it.

I have had my NM24 DAC for about 20 months and I love the sound, recently I purchased the DIP Combo to re-clock and upsample. Very happy with the performance.
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post #3 of 21
4/25/10 at 4:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by supra28 View Post
I just got the upgrade bug itch, so for those with experience with the Monarchy, please advise on which dACs that you guys think would be a major improvement to the M22c for around $500.
I doubt anything in that price range will be a "major improvement." Personally, I would play with digital cable, analogue cable, power cord, power conditioner, footers, shelf, etc, for a "fresh" sound out of your DAC..
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post #4 of 21
4/25/10 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Who cares where they are made, is the sound that matters. Unless you say so due to labor laws and environmental laws differences. Even at that, it is another country and so be it.

I have had my NM24 DAC for about 20 months and I love the sound, recently I purchased the DIP Combo to re-clock and upsample. Very happy with the performance.
Whenever possible I steer clear of the Made in China brand. I have zero confidence in the quality and reliability of their products. It's sad to see most American companies sell out, and manufacture their products in China. How else are companies going to remain in business and stay price competitive when everyone else is outsourcing to China? The cycle's gotta stop with us as the knowledgable consumers. I'd much rather pay more for equipment manufactured in the USA,Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, but for the most part we do not have these options.
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post #5 of 21
4/25/10 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon L View Post
I doubt anything in that price range will be a "major improvement." Personally, I would play with digital cable, analogue cable, power cord, power conditioner, footers, shelf, etc, for a "fresh" sound out of your DAC..

A power conditioner maybe a good idea.

Thanks for the advice!
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post #6 of 21
4/25/10 at 7:49pm
Not all of my gear is made in other countries. But this is a global economy and things you think are built in the USA most likely have plenty of parts made elsewhere. Having said so for my headphone audio gear I own: Dell PC, two of Red Wine products, two Grado cans, etc.
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post #7 of 21
4/25/10 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Not all of my gear is made in other countries. But this is a global economy and things you think are built in the USA most likely have plenty of parts made elsewhere. Having said so for my headphone audio gear I own: Dell PC, two of Red Wine products, two Grado cans, etc.
Global economy is all fine and dandy... Just leave China out of it...
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post #8 of 21
4/25/10 at 10:23pm

true

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon L View Post
I doubt anything in that price range will be a "major improvement." Personally, I would play with digital cable, analogue cable, power cord, power conditioner, footers, shelf, etc, for a "fresh" sound out of your DAC..
I own and use one for my headphone system and I did as Jon L suggested, I upgraded the power cord, the digital cable, the anolog cables, the isolation support and added an external regulated power supply! Why, because the sound it produces and the system I use it in works for me! the New Dacs besides being made in China seem to be changing or in less time then you can unbox your new dac it's outdated and the next best thing is being added to "ITS" newest model....I don't upgrade and blow money unless I can hear and see "ITS" the new magic bullet, when it comes to dacs...just M.O. Plus its got to be a damn good sounding "Magic Bullet"..
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post #9 of 21
4/26/10 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
c
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9pintube View Post
I own and use one for my headphone system and I did as Jon L suggested, I upgraded the power cord, the digital cable, the anolog cables, the isolation support and added an external regulated power supply! Why, because the sound it produces and the system I use it in works for me! the New Dacs besides being made in China seem to be changing or in less time then you can unbox your new dac it's outdated and the next best thing is being added to "ITS" newest model....I don't upgrade and blow money unless I can hear and see "ITS" the new magic bullet, when it comes to dacs...just M.O. Plus its got to be a damn good sounding "Magic Bullet"..
9pin: Well said!

I guess I'm looking to build another system and will keep the Monarchy.
Amongst the Dacs up for considering in around the $500-700 on the used market are Bel Canto DAC2, Benchmark DAC1, and the PS Audio DL 3. Not sure, but are PS Audios still made in the US? Can someone give some insight into these 3 DACs?
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post #10 of 21
4/26/10 at 9:33pm
supra28, I'm not sure about the Bel Canto Dac, but a few yrs. ago I borrowed a Bel Canto Dac 1 that had been upgraded "down the block and back" it was so smooth and detailed at the same time....I kick my self in the ass every time I think about it and it was only 1450.00 with all the goodies...oh well..anyway I've read some good news on the Bel Canto DAC2. The PS Audio Ultralink 3. can't be bad, I'm like you, I'd look for a demo or used model on Audiogon.....good luck!!
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post #11 of 21
4/26/10 at 10:00pm
I doubt if the Bel Canto DAC 2 would be an upgrade over your monarchy. Its an ok DAC. But if you are still interested i think there is one on sale locally in Portland for like 550$. Probably could talk him down to 500$ if you are interested.
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post #12 of 21
4/26/10 at 11:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9pintube View Post
supra28, I'm not sure about the Bel Canto Dac, but a few yrs. ago I borrowed a Bel Canto Dac 1 that had been upgraded "down the block and back" it was so smooth and detailed at the same time....I kick my self in the ass every time I think about it and it was only 1450.00 with all the goodies...oh well..anyway I've read some good news on the Bel Canto DAC2. The PS Audio Ultralink 3. can't be bad, I'm like you, I'd look for a demo or used model on Audiogon.....good luck!!
Thanks! This is going to be a tough decision.
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post #13 of 21
4/26/10 at 11:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sachu View Post
I doubt if the Bel Canto DAC 2 would be an upgrade over your monarchy. Its an ok DAC. But if you are still interested i think there is one on sale locally in Portland for like 550$. Probably could talk him down to 500$ if you are interested.
Hey Sachu, you maybe right, because the Monarchy is a pretty darn good DAC especially when used with tube amplification. $500 appears to be the going price for the Cantos... Can you pm me the link or contact of the guy selling his DAC2? Tx!
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post #14 of 21
5/27/10 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 

I decided pass on the Bel Canto DAC 2 and got a Benchmark DAC1.  There are numerous reviews stating that the DAC1 is sterile and thin sounding but I did not find this to be the case.  The DAC1 throws a deeper and wider soundstage, sounds more "analog" and actually more muscial but to me lacks resolution and dynamics of the Monarchy.  Overall I consider the DAC1 an upgrade but not without compromise, and the Monarchy still holds it's own.  Also worth mentioning, the DAC1 isn't very forgiving on bad recordings. 

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post #15 of 21
5/27/10 at 7:15pm

Thats interesting you dont find the Benchmark DAC1 sterile. I wonder if the sound signature thas been tweaked in recent upgrades. Which year and model do you have?

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