| Model: | 100SE Delux |
| Category: | Amplifier (SS) |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $1275 |
| Description: | SE Class A 100W/8ohm Monoblock |
| Manufacturer URL: | Monarchy Audio |
|
Review by James B. Bookhard on June 11, 1999 at 13:40:45 IP Address: 168.191.56.199 |
Add Your Review for the 100SE Delux |
These are without question the best price/performance amps available today that I have had the opportunity to hear. The thing that amazes me about these amps is that as the front end component quality is increased, the amp just gets better and bring out the character of the new source. I have yet to make a change in my system which was not easily brought out by the transparency of these amps. Harmonic structures of musical instruments are exemplary and vocals have a sense of realism that I am not used to hearing in a home environment. The one improvement that I did make with these amps was upgrading the power cords to Tice PC-3 power cords -- this increased the solidity of the overall sound and especially the bottom end of the spectrum of music. Using fans, these amps do run warm to the touch (as opposed to very hot without fans) and this can only increase internal component life, so I would recommend this.
| Product Weakness: | Runs very hot, without fans, due to Class A operation. Power cord upgrade is recommended |
| Product Strengths: | Ability to recreate accurate harmonic structures of musical instruments and an accurate portrayal of male and female voices. on recorded vocals. Bass is solid, deep, tight and harmonically accurate. Soundstage is realistic in size and is not exaggerated nor shrunken in image size based on the source. |
| Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
| Amplifier: | Monarchy SE-100 Delux (100wpc into 8 ohms, 200 wpc into 4 ohms, can operate into 2 ohms if fans are used. |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Monarchy Audio 10A Silver Line Stage, Lehman Black Cube phono preamp |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Benz LO4 cartridge, Oracle Delphi V TT, Parasound CDX-88 CDP, Magnum Dynalab 101A Tuner |
| Speakers: | MGD Chameleons |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Kinber Silver Streaks and MGD interconnects; MGD speaker cable |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz, contemporary vocals, new age jazz and some classical organ music |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 24' x 11' x 8' |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | MGD Pressure Zone Controllers |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | one year ownership |
| Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Tice Power Block Signature 3B |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
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