[rklein]

My system currently does double duty for 2 channel and TV/HT.  My current setup consists of a SB3 with Boulder digital mods into a Zhalou 2.0 DAC going to an Odyssey Tempest w/HT Bypass going to a Khartago amp going to my Odyssey Nightengales ( I use a Manrantz SR-7200 for HT processing).  I have been contemplating for some time about moving to a tubed pre.  Just haven't pulled the trigger.  I am very well read on the choices available to me at my price point.  Have considered or considering at one time or another the following:

Modwright 9.0 SE - used
Odyssey Candella - new or used
Juicy Music Peach - used
Mapletree 2A or 4SE Ultra (can't seem to get an HT Bypass option, if I did I would go down this path)

The component that has really caught my eye is the Monarchy NM24 DAC which incorporates a SS DAC, Tube DAC and a Tubed line stage for $1080.  It seems that you can do an awful lot with this piece of gear.  I called CC Poon and he emailed me some papers but I don't think he understood what I was asking.    I then emailed my question again spelling out exactly my dilemma and that using the "unity gain setting" method with a preamp won't cut it as both my wife and daughter use this system for watching TV/movies, therefore an HT bypass is a must!!  I think they "got it" the second time around.  Below is Ming's response to my second question on the HT bypass:

Dear Randy,
We can include an RCA out routed from the Digital Audio IN so that
the signal is available all the time at this new terminal.
Additional cost: $30
 
Best regards.
Ming

Does Ming's response = a true HT bypass??  or is the bypass acheived byinstalling a RCA pair of inputs with a HT bpass to the NM24 preamp outputs.  Could a fellow member please enlighten me as it appears that Monarchy is willing to add this bypass option.  I just want to make sure that they do it correctly.  In addition, is this a mod that can be done DIY??  If so, I would consider building a Mapltree 2A or 4se Ultra and just adding this feature myself.

Thanks in advance,

rklein

[MaxCast]

A true HT pass through to me would mean you take the 2 channel main speaker outs from your receiver and feed them into your 2 channel preamp unaltered and not controlled by the 2 channel preamp's volume control.  Your 2 channel pre simply sends the signal to your 2 channel amp.  The volume is controlled by your receiver.

Are you using 5.1 or 7.1 speakers?

[ted_b]

I agree that CC's response doesn't address the HT Bypass issue, which Maxcast nailed.  So...although a true HT bypass is user friendly (flip the switch and you're done), a fairly simple temporary alternative is to calibrate an input at a certain volume level, say "12 o'clock", so that the wife or child simply needs to turn the Monarchy volume control to some marked position you've previously calibrated for.  It's not theoretically unity gain (unless you know the unity gain volume position) but it will work and maintain consistency.

[rklein]

A true HT pass through to me would mean you take the 2 channel main speaker outs from your receiver and feed them into your 2 channel preamp unaltered and not controlled by the 2 channel preamp's volume control.  Your 2 channel pre simply sends the signal to your 2 channel amp.  The volume is controlled by your receiver.

Yes, I am currently using the preouts from the Marantz receiver going to the Tempest Pre going to the 2 channel amp.  If my pre is on, I just need to turn the input selector to HT and the receiver controls the volume.  In most cases my pre is just turned off during prime viewing hours and the receiver still controls the volume.  The Khartago drives the fronts with the Marantz driving the CC and 2 rears. (5.1 speaker setup)  I am looking for a tubed pre that will allow the same implementation.

So...although a true HT bypass is user friendly (flip the switch and you're done), a fairly simple temporary alternative is to calibrate an input at a certain volume level, say "12 o'clock", so that the wife or child simply needs to turn the Monarchy volume control to some marked position you've previously calibrated for.  It's not theoretically unity gain (unless you know the unity gain volume position) but it will work and maintain consistency.

Am I not correct in assuming that instead of just flipping the HT switch or turning the pre off,  by calibrating the pre to a certain volume level the fronts will still retain the sonics that the tubed pre would add to the chain?  Therefore, in watching TV/movies my fronts would be going through a tube pre and my center and rears would be using the SS processingfrom the Marantz?  I have often thought of selling my Khartago and getting a 3 channel amp such as a used Butler, Odyssey or ATI so that my fronts and center would be under the same type of amplification. 

The NM24 intrigues me because of the options to experiment by feeding my Dish signal through the tubed line stage and tubed dac and listening to 2.1 for TV or just let the Marantz process the signal by using the HT bypass feature.

I am looking to assemble a dedicated 2 channel in a dedicated man cave when my last child gets through college (2 more years  ) Until then I have what I have...

Marital bliss = HT bypass

BTW, Ted, I live in Hinckley.

Thanks,

rklein

[ted_b]

Although your tubed pre will be flavoring the sound, the signal it receives is still just the derived l/r portion of 5.1 that the Marantz sends it.  And yes, the goal is identical speakers, identical amps, identical signal paths.  That's the goal.....

Oh, hi "neighbor". 

[rklein]

Well..., I went in a direction that I didn't know was available.  An SAS 10A preamp was available by a fellow AC'er which was listed here and on Audiogon.  I called Steve Sammet at SAS and spoke for over 30 minutes with him about my needs with a dual system and the types of music I listen to and could he help me by adding an HT bypass to the used 10A I was considering.  Bottom line is I did buy the 10A and the seller is sending it directly to Steve for the bypass along with some upgrades that will bring it pretty close to the 11A in performance. aa

BTW, Steve Sammet is one nice guy!!  If I was in the market for spending up to 3K for a pre, his 11A would be right at the top of the list to audition.

rklein

[ajzepp]

RKlein:

That's great news...in fact, I've just spent the past twenty mins reading through the SAS website. I'd never heard of Steve or his company before, but I'm intrigued to say the least - he may end up with my business, as well.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of music do you listen to? What do you plan to use as a source? Part of what appealed to me about the Monarchy piece was all the folks who said the M24 did such a great job with lesser quality recordings or more pop type stuff. My taste in music is all over the map, but I do listen to some pop stuff and some other stuff that is not very well recorded. I'm wondering if the 10A is similar in that regard or different?

-AJ

[ted_b]

That's a great buy and a great decision.  Steve and SAS are first class.  Ya did good.

[rklein]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of music do you listen to? What do you plan to use as a source? Part of what appealed to me about the Monarchy piece was all the folks who said the M24 did such a great job with lesser quality recordings or more pop type stuff. My taste in music is all over the map, but I do listen to some pop stuff and some other stuff that is not very well recorded. I'm wondering if the 10A is similar in that regard or different?

I listen to ALOT of classical music, being classically trained.  I use a SB3 with digital mods by Boulder going into a Zhalou 2.0 DAC with the 2107 opamps (thx Occam).  I also listen to jazz vocals, R&R from the late 60's - through the 80's and blue grass as well.  And yes, I have quite a few lesser quality recordings as well.  However, some of my most cherished recordings are of 78's of Leopold Auer (Heifetz's teacher), Fritz Kreisler, Philadelphia Orchestra's 30's recording of Stravinski's Rite of Spring, etc.  For me, the artistry overshadows the shittyness of most any recording.   I don't know how the SAS 10A will do with less than stellar recordings.  I am hoping however, that it will be fantastic with well recorded material.  I will let you know how it performs once I have it for a while.

That's a great buy and a great decision.  Steve and SAS are first class.  Ya did good.

Thanks Ted. 

rklein