opinions on monarchy Audio model 10 preamp please

fbm211
fbm211 Posts: 1,488
edited October 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I might want to try out the model 10 pre if I can get a reasonable deal of course.I think the 555II pre I have is the weakest link in my system now and I would like to try out a pre without tone controls...Wow, I cant beleive I just said that.Whats happening to me...I use tone controls:eek:
It doesnt even have a balance control.
Loony-tune input selector switches aside it looks to be a better pre than I currently have.
Cant find much info ot except audio critic. They say it has a very good, huge 4cm by 9cm Shallco stepped attenuator--30 steps 2db each. And that the switches are the finest quality on any pre they have seen at this price point being both sealed and gold plated. All hand wiring is pure silver.
Im considering a marsh P2000 also
Anyone ever had or have this pre??Any hands on opinions?
SDA-2BTL with custom IC
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
Post edited by fbm211 on
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Comments

  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited October 2009
    In general Mr. Poon makes terrific gear for the $$.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2009
    No idrect experience with the Model 10, but Monarchy is solid high end gear for not a lot of money. It will blow the 555II pre-amp away.

    Be sure to do through research on the Marsh P2000, I believe there have been a lot of reported issues with the P2000T hybrid if that's what you're looking at.

    I'd choose the Model 10 over the P2000.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited October 2009
    Thanks for the relpy guys.I was wondering why that P2000 was going so cheap($350.00)on audiogon.The cheapest I found elsewhere was $1100.00...There were two versions of it though.One balanced and the other RCAs.
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2009
    fbm211 wrote: »
    Thanks for the relpy guys.I was wondering why that P2000 was going so cheap($350.00)on audiogon.The cheapest I found elsewhere was $1100.00...There were two versions of it though.One balanced and the other RCAs.

    The P2000T was the tubed hybrid and those had issues from what I've read.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited October 2009
    Hey heiney9,can you tell me if monarchy 18b wold be an improvement over the GDA-600.And would I be able to incorporate it into my 555II prosssesor in...That is if I dont get the 10b pre.
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2009
    fbm211 wrote: »
    Hey heiney9,can you tell me if monarchy 18b wold be an improvement over the GDA-600.And would I be able to incorporate it into my 555II prosssesor in...That is if I dont get the 10b pre.

    My brother had an 18B and a 33C at one time. Honestly, I don't think there is much difference compared the 600. He just recently sold his GDA600 that was in use for quite awhile. He is using an Aragon D2A2 at this point for his office rig.

    If you need the passive vol. control the 18B provides then I'd say yes go for it. But as far as DAC sections they both use the PCM63K chipset and there really is little to no difference IMO sound wise. The GDA600 is so damn good you really need to move a couple notches up to better it.

    The 600's biggest strengths; smooth, very smooth, great controlled bass and a huge sound stage.

    I'd say stay with the 600 unless you need a vol. control.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited October 2009
    Ok and thanks.....Good news for me...I won the model 10 preamp and got it for less than a third the original price back in the day.I couldnt find much info on it,,like the date it was out....Anyone know?? Ill try to contact monarchy to get more info.
    I cant wait to get it and hear how a good pre sounds in my system..
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2009
    The Model 10 1992
    The Model 10a 1993
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2009
    fbm211 wrote: »
    Ill try to contact monarchy to get more info.

    Poon is a fantastic guy. I believe Linda is still up front on the phones there and she is a doll. Poon himself will take all the time YOU need to ask away about anything he makes. Don't be surprised if he offers to have you send the 10 back to him for him to massage a little to gain a bit more from that unit. He asked me to send him my 18b DAC and when I got it back I was amazed. Congrats on the win!
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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