If you're looking for something to transform your HD650's (or HD580/600's) into exceptional headphones without their "veil" - look no further than the Monarcy M24 DAC with the right amp, and cables.
As "Akwok" (and others) previously reported this setup makes all the difference.
You can usually buy them used for less. I've seen "like new" used ones on Audiogon for around $850.
And... you can contact Monarchy directly and see what you can negotiate. They had been advertising it for around $1100, and they had some for less.
Another option is to look at the Pacific Valve Lite DAC 62 and 68 - the modified versions. These are very similar to the M24, but without the line stage - for a lot less. The M24 is based on the Lite DAC 60, modified by Monarchy to add the line stage, and upgrade the components.
According to the reviews - there is nothing in this price range (or much above) that can compare.
Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif According to the reviews - there is nothing in this price range (or much above) that can compare.
I've heard this dac with the HD650 and my ZD... it's very good. a little sweet and not as precise as the VDA-2, but it certainly does sound good. Overall, i think it is among the most involving, yet neutral dacs I've heard and certainly deserves to be among the Stello, Bel Canto Dac-3, lavry, vda-2 crowd (and a cut above the benchmark and wavelength brick). However, I don't think that it is remarkably better or worse than any of the other dacs in the price range.
Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek /img/forum/go_quote.gif What if you don't hear the veil to begin with?
If you can't hear the now infamous HD650 "veil" then you either have already found the right set up with the "Synergy Thing,"... or... you should "forgidaboudit" - because the synergy of the M24 would not likely be appreciated by you anyway.
Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you can't hear the now infamous HD650 "veil" then you either have already found the right set up with the "Synergy Thing,"... or... you should "forgidaboudit" - because the synergy of the M24 would not likely be appreciated by you anyway.
Or perhaps, I just don't hear it period?
I don't think I like your tone. Who says I can't appreciate a good setup?
Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif According to the reviews - there is nothing in this price range (or much above) that can compare.
I do have one issue with this DAC. The soundstage is cramped feeling with stock tubes. I bet with tube rolling this issue can be resolved... but since I've sold it and moved back down to the EMU 0404 usb. I don't want to say the soundstage width has nearly doubled with the EMU 0404/Qualias... but yeah it basically has. Of course every other area (Detail/Euphonia/Musicality/EVERYTHING) is significantly worse :/ I'm still kind of undecided on source. Going to start out with an UX-1 after the 1080p revamp... but I might still grab the dv50s meanwhiles and eventually for a work set up. Also tempting is a benchmark dac1 usb... since it is balanced which my set up is and the Monarcy DAC isn't (Pretty much the reason I let the Monarchy go otherwise I would have tuberolled away the soundstage thing). But I really want to go with the APL DAC which is sadly 4k but surely excellent and tubed. However, it isn't in production yet.... actually screw it the EMU 0404 usb will tide me for now APL DAC here I come.
Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek /img/forum/go_quote.gif Or perhaps, I just don't hear it period?
I don't think I like your tone. Who says I can't appreciate a good setup?
I don't hear one either but I'm sure that context can easily be reproduced when you 'hot-swap' between the Senn and a Grado. The relative difference in presentation can be construed in the mind as 'veiled' for the more laid-back Senns. It's all relative, remember.
That said, I'm really curious on how a better source will impact on the rest of my system.
Originally Posted by blessingx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just out of curiosity what's been compared?
Well... compared to... XDAC v3, Cal Audio Alpha / Sigma II, Music Hall CD25 1+, MSB Platinum, Dodson DAC-263, Weiss, Reimyo, Consonance Droplet, Eastern Electric MiniMax, Benchmark DAC1, Audio Note, Accustic Arts DAC 1 / CDP 1, Roksan Caspian M, Sonic Euphoria, etc. - ranging in price up to $17,000.
Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek /img/forum/go_quote.gif Or perhaps, I just don't hear it period?
I don't think I like your tone. Who says I can't appreciate a good setup?
By simple deduction... if you can't discern a "veil" in the HD650's... you aren't going to be able to discern an improvement with the M24 in that respect.
And... yes... "hot swapping" with Grados, or ATH's, makes the "veil" very clearly obvious... to most users, or at least to many - the Grados and ATH's (and I suspect others) are much brighter, clearer.
Funny, I've hot swapped with the K1000s, W5000s, SR-60s, SR-225s, and HF-1s, and even my ER-4Ss and I still didn't hear the veil. The others just sounded brighter.
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