usb monica works for me

[bonjonno]

I finally bit the bullet and bought a usb monica from Yeo at diyparadise. I have been listening to it round the clock, which I simply have not been inspired to do in years. Sejarzo had me sold on the 0404usb and we traded alot of cool email. But even tho it sounded nearly pristine I couldn't listen to a full CD thru it. I would get a weird neck/headache after 20-30 minutes of even low volume listening. Go figure. I am using the usb monica to connect a dell server 400SC to a highly modded acurus preamp, threshold stasis power amp and home brew scan speak monitors. My files are all flac. It is heaven. Even tho this dac is 16 bit there is no loss of anything. bass is full, highs are all there and the mids are as good as anything I've heard. The sound stage and subtle ambiance is jaw dropping. Sit in the sweet spot and you are instantly in the room where the recording was made. I've made a living as a musician nearly my entire life and this thing is music to my ears.

 

[n4k33n]

^ I have one too. Its a great dac.

 

[PhaedrusX]

nice to hear, bonjonno.
i've had one on order for awhile, but yeo seems to be dragging his feet on mine.
hopefully, it'll be worth the wait.
have you listened to the monica through headphones, or just a speaker set up?

 

[robert1325]

It's an awesome sounding DAC , you get immersed in the music right away and without it being harsh on your ears.

I can listen to Led zeppelin , Miles davis wathever , it's all great

the bass is amazing, I don't feel I'm short on bass anymore now.

Both headphones and speakers are very nice with this dac, but it does not match with my fathers system downstairs ( B&W 801s2 / RWA sig 30)

 

[PhaedrusX]

thanks for the update robert.

i'm glad you like it with your headphones as well as your with your speakers.

the musicality, lack of harshness, and impactful bass sound just like what i am looking for.

peace.

 

[bonjonno]

I don't have a headphone jack on my main system! But I can bet it would be just as good thru cans. The sound is just plain inviting. You would never even think harsh. I listen to alot of jazz. But I've auditioned classical guitar and piano with monica and it's as good as I've heard. Every album I've listened to gives the impression that you are in the room where it was recorded; whether a small studio or a large hall. Richie Beirach's Sunday Songs which I've listened to for 10 years, suddenly I hear little noises like shifting feet or muffled coughs. I now realize he's in a large hall and not alone. Amazing. Like being there.