Digital Drive: REVIEW: Monarchy Audio 33 DAC Processors by rkeman

Model:	33
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$1500
Description:	Digital to analog converter/preamp
Manufacturer URL:	Monarchy Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Monarchy Audio

Review by rkeman ( A ) on September 10, 2004 at 14:34:16
IP Address: 12.168.121.2

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for the 33

The Monarchy Audio 33 is a combination digital to analog converter and line level preamplifier. There are XLR, RCA and Toslink digital inputs and two sets of stereo RCA inputs for line level sources. Front panel toggle switches select the digital decoder ("CD" input) or the line level inputs ("aux 1" or "aux 2"). Two adiitional toggle switches select the digital input and line input. The volume control is a good detented Noble potentiometer. The chassis is fairly heavy sheet steel with an aluminum faceplate and black finish. The internal circuit board allows two line level gain settings (14 and 20 dB) and appears to be of good quality. The Model 33 provides a single set of unbalanced outputs (RCA jacks) and a pair of XLR output jacks. Neither the digital or analog circuitry is truly balanced. The balanced output is formed with an additional phase inverting amplification stage. Burr Brown PCM-63 digital to analog converters (K grade) are employed. This particular unit does not have the "piggyback" option installed. It should be noted that digital signals above a 48 kHz sampling rate cannot be used.
The sound of the Model 33 as a digital to analog converter is very good using the unbalanced outputs. The noise floor is very low and the dynamics and soundstage are quite natural. It appears to work well with a variety of transports (Panasonic RP-91, Pioneer Elite DV-45A, and Theta Data) and digital sources (e.g. digital cable converter). The Model 33 outperforms either DVD player on Redbook CD but falls short of the transparency and resolution of the Benchmark DAC-1. The story changes somewhat when the balanced output are used. The sound takes on a slightly hard edge, and the noise floor is noticably higher, possibly due to the additional circuitry necessary for creation of the balanced signal. The line preamplifier of the Model 33 shares the attributes of the digital section and seems to preserve the quality of the signals it passes admirably.
Overall, the Monarchy Model 33 provides a fair amount of flexibility and a high level of performance as both a digital to analog converter and line preamplifier. If the feature set fits your particular needs, it merits serious consideration.

Product Weakness: Balanced outputs are noiser and less transparent than the unbalanced outputs.
Product Strengths: Good combination of features and performance.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Ayre V-3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Theta Data, Pioneer Elite DV-45A, Motrola digital cable converter
Speakers:	SEAS Thor
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY and Vampire Wire
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical and pop
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Normal furnishings and carpeting
Time Period/Length of Audition:	One month
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Balanced outputs are noiser and less transparent than the unbalanced outputs.
Product Strengths:	Good combination of features and performance.