Edit: 7-6-07 I have just begun to use the SS DAC sent strait to my subwoofer with the Tube DAC staying as before sent to the preamp/amp for my main speakers.
The overall presentation quality increased easily by 30%+ and it was fantastic before (in addition to what one would expect here surprisingly the tone got even better, stage got deeper.........
Edit: 6-30-07 Conclusions
Tube DAC only-stock w good ICs - new arrivers can save going thru the pages of dribble. (below assume recordings of good quality)
PRAT/Tone/Musicality/Stage/air/detail/imaging are all excellent IMO
They all fit together well none stick out, very organic and whole smooth slightly warmth-slight.
Nice body to images, not thin. Bass is very good textured tight with great impact- definitely feel this part with this device. Dynamics and speed are very good. Like it with all types of music thus far does classical well, easily separates, defines well with body and tone and good depth. Very engaging for me takes me into the music easily, I can move around and focus on separate parts and quickly be sucked right back into the whole presentation. Strangely still being very aware of the indivual parts but completely absorbed by the whole tune. It’s a wonderful thing, probably my favorite. So excellent detail, without loosing body, nor soul.
Definitely a foot taper-hell a body mover, makes the orginal Birdland sound kind of operating room clinical and grainy. I never moved this much listening while sitting down, I love the thing and really have no desire to hear the Altmann or Promi tube DAC. But that’s just me I am not one to enjoy comparing these things, some do some don’t. Not right or wrong.
A tiny bit bright initially – very tiny but still there, using stock tubes on board, a ton of options, there- something I am really attracted to. various tubes/various dampers/ even a 6N1P option for moving away from 6922s, if one likes. Now I still have not run the SS DAC to the sub, so there is more fun to be had. There is a tubed linestage as part of the devise. So $$ bang is really way off the scale. From a sound purist point I was worried about having all this in 1 box, not now notta.
So my 2 cent if yours is a recent (1-2 yrs old) well regarded DAC Paradisia / Stello / Lavry / Altmann / Benchmark DAC 60 w mods and all the ones I did not mention and you feel your not getting what you want by all means check this thing out! Do not hesitate, it should fair quite well with the others, may even blow your mind. I really can’t imagine anyone not loving this thing IMS and room. On the other hand if your basically happy I’d work on room treatments that will give you a major return on your effort especially DIY. With the quality level of today’s DAC crop a lateral move seems a fairly low return- but that’s just my opinion and I am not a DAC compare guy. I have listened to the top Levinson stuff at our High End dealer here and I don’t feel I am missing squat, for what that’s worth.
If your DAC is 2 generations old, your brains should fall out and I would say definitely update. Assuming we are all referring to 700.-1,500. pieces. 4-8,000. stuff I got no clue but this piece makes me think just how much better can it get and do I even care not really, no! I love this piece, a great choice for me. Onward to possible AC regeneration and isolating the Stock SB from the DAC.
I am glad I got it instead of the Altmann (because I strongly wanted tubes in my DAC, and would have always been curious) or Promi tube DAC (a way off) even not hearing them - no problem- I do not flip stuff, if it thrills me, I like to get back to working on the whole of the parts instead of staying in this one area. I am also thrilled with the option of running the SS DAC to my sub, that’s more than cool, should pay max benefits. So no matter how good the Altmann or another may be - this thing has incredible chops and tone for a fantastic price, I could not resists its charms. The bass now is already stellar. Listening to Kodo, with very large multiple drums is sublime, yeah scary good now I see the guys swinging sticks moving about, visceral is an understatement. Even the pieces that I had not listened too much before sucked me in, I was in awe- I need not look any further. So I hope this is helpful, that’s as clear as I can speak of it. Some of you guys size this stuff up so eloquently and quickly I am amazed.
Forgot midrange yes full rich w texture and detail, no complaint, midrange is not a negotiable part of a presentation for me.
beginning of first post: Just received this unit, plan to do a review here, for those who may be interested.
Feel free to pester me if you do not see any info in a week. Many of the items I have added/changed that I have been very pleased with never have gotten a separate post.
Although I had every intention to do so, the next tweek or change detoured such.
My reference point will be the Birdland Odeon Lite DAC (circa 2000) an upsampler.
Very well rec at the time, reviews of such are easy to find. I am not at all disappointed with it and feel I have my system pretty dialed in.
But you know.....
, well I wonder. I have considered the Altmann NOS, Promitheus Tube NOS DAC, Paradisia NOS tubed DAC, and the Lite DAC 60 with 1st level mods also. These I have not personally heard just the commentary on such seemed to be ones that would suit my fancy. So studying the reviews of the Birdland would be your best bet to get a window on my opinion of the Monarchy. Having that context should help alot.
Anyway this is a oversampler in the traditional sense using dual PCM 1704's and tube out, it also has a SS DAC sans the tubes for running strait to a sub. Lastly a tubed linestage. I will try and coverage ea. config as my system allows. I am skeptical but hopefull, Bound for Sound loves this DAC, Lynn Olson and a few other quite serious people. but different ears, different systems and then of course synergy all take their toll in evaluation.
