The Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp

fbm211

I really like the sound of this preamp.The first thing I heard when I played music for the first time through this was the amazing soundstage it produced.More depth and width and the mids were more lifelike and a hell of a lot cleaner.Bass didnt have as much slam as the adcom but I suppose that is only because it was tighter and more controlled, not to mention the internal wirering is pure silver.Highs were a little more laid back but not so much as to make me want to sell it.(I do like my highs a little tipped up)And since I just got 2 pair of DH labs revalation ICs I have much cleaner and sharper highs anyway.And once I get around to ordering some powerplus cable and another IeGO plug set the pre will have a proper power cord and Im sure it will sound even better...Overall its a MUCH BETTER pre than the 555II...
I do have the problem I was expecting with low level listening and the TV sound though it.....It has to be turned up to the 11oclock position to experence the its full impact.(such good sound)Oddly,11oclock on the monarchy is at the DB level the adcom was at 9oclock
And I have to find a solution for the TV output.It needs a bass and treble boost.I hate to say that but there it is.The tv output on my insignia sucks.Im going to have to get an EQ or something to run the TV output through.Any ideas for that out there????

zombie boy 2000

It's possible that the Monarchy simply has a lower gain than the Adcom.

concealer404

What are you using to send sound from the TV to the preamp? Is it directly off the tv, or a cable box?

And i experienced about the same coming from my GTP-400 to my B&K Ref 5. I lost a lot of bass slam, and i have to turn it up a bit more to acheive the same volume levels.

I don't know what it is about those Adcoms, but i've almost been considering keeping one around for a dedicated "rock" setup. Maybe keep my GTP-400, my old Adcom amp, and a set of bigass Cerwin Vegas. It'll sound poopy, but damn, it'll slam.

I so miss the "slam" from time to time, though.

Glad you're liking the new pre!

fbm211

I use the TV rca outputs.(The sony I used to have had very good SQ output)Maybe Ill keep the 555II and just run the TV through that.Im wondering if it would be OK to run the TV into the adcom and then into the monarchy as long as I keep the output low..
And I could still use the phono stage till I decide to buy or build a phono pre.

heiney9

zombie boy 2000 wrote: »

It's possible that the Monarchy simply has a lower gain than the Adcom.

I'm sure that's the case. IIRC, the Model 10 maybe passive only. It doesn't surprise me one bit it sounds as good as it does.

They made a pre very similar to the 10 that was tube based. I'd love to run across one of those. I've only seen (2) listings on Audiogon in about the past 5 years.

They made a 10 and a 10A, I know the 10A had a stepped attenuator and I believe it had slightly higher gain as well, otherwise very similar.

fmb211, is yours a 10 or 10A?

H9

concealer404

fbm211 wrote: »

I use the TV rca outputs.(The sony I used to have had very good SQ output)Maybe Ill keep the 555II and just run the TV through that.Im wondering if it would be OK to run the TV into the adcom and then into the monarchy as long as I keep the output low..
And I could still use the phono stage till I decide to buy or build a phono pre.

Any reason why you're not using the cable box? I've found most TV outputs to be dismal, at best.

fbm211

heiney...It is a 10.And it has BOTH passive and Active(buffered)outputs.Im using the active outputs because the two reviews I found on it stated the passive output wasnt very good.I have yet to try passive output though.Oh and it also has a Shallco stepped attenuator--30 steps 2db each.
I couldnt find a review on the 10.Just the 10A.Maybe Ill call Mr poon and see how much it would cost to service it.
Here is a link to the review and as you will notice it has a very clean and uncluttered layout. Maybe those caps could be upgraded...Hmmm.And look at the size of that attenuator...Link>>http://www.monarchyaudio.com/reviews_%20PDF/Model-10A.pdf

heiney9

What needs servicing on it?

fbm211

Im just wondering if Mr poon would upgrade it to the model 10A.And those caps are old.Mind you Im not complaining about anything.I love the sound.Another member had sent his dac I believe back at MR poons request and said he got a much better sounding unit back after Poon worked his majic. And Im just wondering if those caps might be dried out a little after about 20 years.

heiney9

fbm211 wrote: »

Im just wondering if Mr poon would upgrade it to the model 10A.And those caps are old.Mind you Im not complaining about anything.I love the sound.Another member had sent his dac I believe back at MR poons request and said he got a much better sounding unit back after Poon worked his majic. And Im just wondering if those caps might be dried out a little after about 20 years.

I see.........by all means yes. I know when my brother sent in his previous M33C dac they worked on it for a very reasonable cost. After he sold and shipped the unit apparently the output no longer worked so he shipped to Mr. Poon and they fixed it for the buyer and my brother paid a very reasonable price.

H9

fbm211

concealer404 wrote: »

Any reason why you're not using the cable box? I've found most TV outputs to be dismal, at best.

I dont have a cable box.Do they have good audio outputs?