Check out the Monarchy NM24, which is a tube DAC, solid state DAC and tube preamp all in one package. While it lists for $1,590, you can get it new from Monarchy www.monarchyaudio.com for $1,080 via Audiogon or by contacting Monarchy directly in San Francisco. I am using one with my Signature 30.2 and Omega speakers. It's only a few weeks old but the tubes are starting to sound magical. Monarchy's owner, C.C. Poon, has been designing DACs since I was a puppy and, as he is financially comfortable, he sells his stuff at a significant discount to what you would normally pay for stuff of this quality. One reviewer said the NM24 tube DAC beat out the Dodson DAC-263 ($2,800), the Benchmark DAC1 and compared nicely to the Combak Reimyo ($17,000). Okay, that's just one reviewer's opinion, so check out the other reviews and the posts from people on this board. Best of luck!
wish this product came as a stand alone dac.....as im long on pre amps right now have been really curious about the dac section since reading about it in bound for sound a while back
....kbuzz, the Monarchy NM24 does function as a stand alone DAC--that is how I use it. The Tube stage section has a separate input. They (tube stage + DAC) can be used together if desired, but it seems that a coupling transformer is welcome addition (a NM24 was set up that way in Mr. Poons facility- I actually picked min NM24 directly at Mr Poons office. Cool to see all his "stuff")- I don't have any personal experience with that set up.
Unfortunately, I cannot provide specific input to the OP in at this time, though I am awaiting my Sig 30.2 AMP and also a Modwright SWL 9.0 pre! Coincidence! When they arrive and are properly broken in I should be able to give a report on the NM24 DAC vs. my Wavelength Brick. The 30.2 should be here in May....then break in time....then some compros. FWIW, My use of the NM 24 has been with a Denon AVR and it is a definite improvement.
enjoy your music, ed
thank you for the info - i was aware you could use the monarchy as a stand alone dac. What i ment to say was, it would an even better value proposition, if one did not have to pay for the line stage as well....
CSI, interesting thoughts re the CI dac. Could you give us an idea of what other dacs you have had chance to listen to in comparison...
CIA VDA.2 DAC vs. others. These listening tests draw conclusions based on my system and my sonic tastes only (as foolish as they might be). Your mileage may differ and probably will. Of all the DACS mentioned in this thread, of those I've heard, they are all good choices and I could live with most of them. My system: sources - Qsonix music server, Empirical audio modded Sony S7700, Sonos ZP80. Preamp - Dodd Audio Battery Powered. Amps - CIA D100's and, more recently, RedWine Audio Sig 30.2. Speakers - ACI Sapphire XL's with Force XL Sub.
Comparisons:
Bel Canto DAC2 - This was the unit that my CIA DAC replaced. It served me well for years but was getting long in the tooth and I didn't feel I could afford the new DAC3 (which I haven't heard but I'm sure is better). I was actually shocked at how much better the CIA sounded vs. the older BC.
Stello DA100 Sig. - I bought this DAC thinking to replace my CIA with USB capability and something clearly better. It wasn't. It was hard and edgy compared to the sweet and analog-like CIA. I decided I could live without USB and went the Media Server route rather than store music on my computer.
Benchmark - an extremely popular DAC. A friend brought his over and we had an evening shoot out. He prefers the slightly more analytical sound of the Benchmark. I don't - it is too forward in my system. He likes in your face rock I like laid back jazz. These are clearly questions of taste, not whose better.
Paradisea - A very good DAC but, in the end, the CIA won again. It just has less of a sonic "signature". My friend with the Paradisea said he would have bought the CIA if he'd heard the two together. He's rolled a few tubes but agrees that, at least in my system, the CIA does a better job of disappearing. And, for me, the gear really needs to get out of the way of the music.
LIte DAC Ah (modded) - This is a beautiful, musical DAC and a bargain. I bought mine used and it lives in a secondary system. Not a fair comparison since it is cheaper, but a fair example of a good DAC vs. a great one. The Lite is softer on top, less detailed throughout, and the bass sounds like an older tube amp compared to the tight detailed bass of the CIA.
Conclusions: I think maybe I don't like upsampling DACS. I think I'll keep the CIA DAC and stop looking.
Bill (CSI)
