[Brad]

to improve the sound of both my SB2 and my 'convenience' DVD player

Anyone used one with good results?
Also, what power supply are you using with it?

thx

[Brad]

bump,

Also, has anyone tried one of these:
http://www.obadimports.com/catalog/item/4377355/5226912.htm

[bluesky]

Hi

A friend of mine uses the Monica II DAC and recently upgraded with the IV Gain stage and told me was very happy with it.  The Monica III DAC incorporates the gain stage into one module.  This friend has had the oportunity to audition a lot of Squeezbox DAC's and he prefers the Monica.

However I have to add I don't have first hand experience with the Monica DAC.

Bluesky   

[Gaara]

I used a Monica II with my SB3 for a few months and felt it was a nice upgrade.  I also used it with my pc using a trends ud-10 to convert usb to spdif.  I really liked it in that system because alot of the music listen to on the pc is poorly recorded and harsh sounding, and the Monica is so smooth.  I eventually upgrade to the USB Monica (I believe a Monica III + usb converter) and felt it was a decent improvement.  I used the USB Monica w/ the smps power supply so it wasn't really a fair fight, but the usb Monica had a little more detailed highs about the same mids and more, punchier bass.

[zacster]

I'm using a Monica II with a 6688 tube output stage.  IT is very nice for what I paid and is probably an improvement over the built in SB dac, but I've never heard that.

[BobM]

What type of sound are you looking for in a DAC. The Monica DAC is very analogue/NOS like. It can get a bit congested on big material, but if you like voice, folk songs, chamber music and the like then it is very good. But not so for big orchestral or complex music or rock that needs big dynamic contrasts and slam factor.

You may want to consider a Zhaolu if you want a bigger more dynamic sound, then mod it slightly to bring it up to another level. Lots of notes on that and it's not very difficult to do.

Enjoy,
Bob

[Brad]

BobM,

I had heard that about the earlier Monicas, but the 3 was supposed to be quite a bit more dynamic, especially when used with a higher voltage power supply.
I am looking for 'involvement' - something that keeps me listening, tapping my toes, etc.
Tone is important, overwhelming detail is not.
The analog-modded SB2 can do that at times.
My vinyl rig does that most of the time.....

I will check out the Zhaolu, as well as the 707 linked above.
I have a new amp coming in and want to keep my digital source somewhat up to date with the better amp.

Thanks to all who replied!

[Loftprojection]

Brad, from what you describe, you might want to check the Paradisea, you're gonna have to open the wallet a bit more though.    I have a RWA modded SB2 and the addition of the Paradisea is almost night and day.  The Paradisea with a good NOS tube is very smooth, lucious voices, very good but not aggressive highs.  I haven't heard any of the Monica though so it could be very good as well.

[BobM]

BobM,

I had heard that about the earlier Monicas, but the 3 was supposed to be quite a bit more dynamic, especially when used with a higher voltage power supply.
I am looking for 'involvement' - something that keeps me listening, tapping my toes, etc.
Tone is important, overwhelming detail is not.
The analog-modded SB2 can do that at times.
My vinyl rig does that most of the time.....

I will check out the Zhaolu, as well as the 707 linked above.
I have a new amp coming in and want to keep my digital source somewhat up to date with the better amp.

Thanks to all who replied!

I got a Zhaolu to play with and found it to be pretty decent. Then I got into the basic mods  (better op amps, some minor soldering) and it certainly got better. Then I got serious and reworked the analogue output stage per a thread at DIY-Audio.com and it became really very good. Others have gone the route of putting a Zapfilter discrete output stage into it and reported it as being transported to a much higher level also. It is a decent DAC with the potential to become a very, very gopod DAC with some work. You may be able to pick one up used at Head-Fi.org. They come up for sale there somewhat regularly. The Ori modded units are also reported to be very good.

You're point on the Monica III is well taken. I haven't heard the new version. I had a II.

Enjoy,
Bob