Monarchy M22c upgrade?

[supra28]

STERILE would be the last word I'd describe it's sound...  I'm not sure what revision, but my DAC1 was manufactured in May 2009. 

 

[computerparts]

I agree with Nada, interesting you don't find the sound of the Benchmark to be sterile. When I heard one, it sounded like garbage to me but it was in an all ss system. "Monarchy is a pretty darn good DAC especially when used with tube amplification." If you are using tubed amplification, then that would greatly balance out the sound of the Benchmark. Perhaps that is why you don't find the sound of it to be sterile? Sometimes we find new equipment acquisitions to be great sounding at first but then later on we find ourselves unable to listen to said equipment. The real test will be to see if you still have it later on down the road. Happy listening.
 

 

[supra28]

Quote:

I agree with Nada, interesting you don't find the sound of the Benchmark to be sterile. When I heard one, it sounded like garbage to me but it was in an all ss system. "Monarchy is a pretty darn good DAC especially when used with tube amplification." If you are using tubed amplification, then that would greatly balance out the sound of the Benchmark. Perhaps that is why you don't find the sound of it to be sterile? Sometimes we find new equipment acquisitions to be great sounding at first but then later on we find ourselves unable to listen to said equipment. The real test will be to see if you still have it later on down the road. Happy listening.
 

Like NADA said, it maybe a different revision of the DAC1, but funny you should mention, I actually found the DAC1 to sound dark on my tube amp.  So I'm running the DAC1 off an EAD SS amp, using variable out, and starting to like it more as I continue to listen to the DAC1.  Of course there are many other factors that influence the overall sound to take into consideration.  As far as the Chinese branded stuff, if you guys stop buying the stuff from there maybe we can get more stuff made here or anywhere else for that matter.  It sickens me when they manufacture products in China, and try to conceal where it comes from.  Some products don't even have the Made in China sticker, but put something like "PS Audio Boulder CO" making you think its made in the USA.
 

 

[computerparts]

Well it's all about system matching. EAD amps are pretty smooth for ss. What tube amp do you have? It doesn't matter where we buy from. As for more stuff being made here....not going to happen. The reality of it is as long as it's cheaper to manufacture goods in China or overseas for that matter, more and more companies will make the switch. In fact, I'd rather buy something that was made overseas as it tends to actually have better build quality these days, in my experience, especially the German stuff. Maybe you should at least listen to a newer Monarchy dac before you dismiss it completely and compare it to the Benchmark if possible.

 

[supra28]

I don't have issues with goods being made overseas or whereever.  It's just the "Made in China" that I have a problem with.  Why do they call it globalization when almost everything is being made in China? Cheaper? How is it cheaper when it has caused almost all or our manufacturing to close  down and quality made products from US or Germany to be priced so much higher and hardly affordable for the average person? Is it better that we no longer have a choice or a lot less choices to either buy from China or nowhere?  Additonally, it's not cheaper when you buy defective inferior products that have piss poor worksmanship.  Wake up America! Stop selling our country to the Chinese for their useless inferior and sometimes hazardous crap.  Yes, some manufacturing in China has improved, but IMO not audio gear!
 
The tube amp is a Modded Cary SLI-50 tested on Vandersteen 1c, Magnepan MG12's, A/D/S SAT 600's, BW DM1400's.
Also tested the DAC's headamp on an AKG 701's. 
My other AMPs are an EAD Powermaster 2300, and an Onkyo Integra M508
 
I have to admit the DAC1>Onkyo>a/d/s does sound a little uninvolving.  A good tube pre should help.

 

[computerparts]

Not all of the audio products from China are inferior. Are you speaking about Chinese brands or American brands manufactured in China? I can attest that some of the Chinese branded products actually rivals some of the American stuff that costs much more. Who cares where a product is made as long as it sounds good. And if we can save a few bucks in the process, all the better. Isn't that what this hobby is all about? On another note, have you actually tried an audio product that was manufactured in China? If not, then you have no room to comment on the quality of their manufacturing of audio gear. Don't knock it unless you've heard it.

 

[Infoseeker]

Anyone got a m22c still around I could buy? Curious of this old boy.