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Topic: Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler (digital interface processor, jitter reduction device) connected to AC power via a DIY VH Audio Flavor 1 power cord (dual shielded twisted pair; implementing 10 AWG SPC/PTFE Teflon ground wire) terminated with Furutech FI-11M(Cu) copper AC plug and Furutech FI-11(Ag) silver IEC connector, covered with Techflex Clean Cut sleeving (5 foot).
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Years ago, I was attracted to the notion of the original Monarchy Audio DIP and other audio gear that offered jitter reduction and otherwise digital signal conditioning. I truly loathed the sound of early digital components and recordings (not to mention the effect on vinyl masters) so much so that it took nearly a decade before I bought my first CD player. I’m still not fond of digital audio in the way I was of vinyl from a purely musical perspective, and I know I’m not alone among many audiophiles even in this modern day of advanced technology in a lack of affection towards digital audio in general. When faced with a new iMac computer purchase (3.2GHz Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 1TB hard drive, 21.5-inch 16:9 widescreen 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit LCD display), I understood that the currently popular notion of a USB or FireWire DAC was all the rage, but I felt compelled to go with an electrically isolated approach that kept the computer as digital transport separate from the analog signal and the AC delivery system for the analog components. As such, going with a previously dreaded Toslink digital optical interface was the path I chose to follow, for better or worse.
Since progressing nicely from POF to quartz glass Toslink cabling, something was still for sonic want in my computer audio rig. One thing lead to another (as often happens in audiophilia), and again I was drawn to the attractive notion of a jitter reduction/digital interface optimizer to improve the presentation of the jitter-prone Toslink to DAC interface. Otherwise, I might have to bail on my plan to go with Toslink and opt for a USB or FireWire DAC, instead. Not a bad thing to do, but certainly not my plan of action. Looking at the various DIP models available from Monarchy Audio, I reckoned the newest DIP 48/96 Upsampler which had fine potential for use in my main audio system if it failed to deliver the goods in my computer audio system was the ticket to select. So, how does this gizmo sound when it’s placed between a digital optical output jack of an iMac computer via a 1 meter Impact Acoustics SonicWave glass Toslink cable, then outputted into a classic Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0 DAC via a 1.5 meter DIY Neotech ND-021090 UPOCC (Ultra Pure Ohno Continuous Cast) single crystal copper S/PDIF digital coaxial cable terminated with Vampire 800/CB Copper Base rca connectors? Well, I find that it sounds very good, indeed.
Nuance is not a strong point of an optical digital interface (Toslink) nor is it a strong point of a nearly vintage Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0 DAC, but that’s exactly what the Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler seems bring to the presentation: a sense of those elements which are often considered subtle in nature, yet so vital to an audiophile experience that demands a level of refinement. Among the list of audiophile listening cues that improved include a more open and expansive soundstage, images presented with better resolved spatial cues, and clearly improved ambient information retrieval. On a macro-level, I dare to say there’s better PRAT (or so my body tells me such). Dynamics sound more natural, less shouty. Overall, there seems to be less “digititis” in the presentation; less “digital distraction” if you will. A lowered noise floor is quite apparent. Timbral information is less obscured by an unmusical vagueness, while a more authoritative bottom end comes into play. Images have more bloom without added warmth (as-in increased tonal bloom). The leading edge takes on a far more obvious yet sonically benign role in the presentation without sounding edgy — this factor alone makes the Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler a big winner in my audiophile book. I might add that I find the sonic signature of the device to be nominally transparent/neutral to my ear. However, YMMV.
The best perspective in regards to any bottom line opine that I can offer is the Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler when placed in a particular modest computer audio application evokes an impression of helping the presentation to sound “more analog-like” rather than “CD quality” (“digital ready”, and all that). Personally, I’ve never warmed-up to the notion of digital gear (as previously mentioned), so if an audio device leaves the grossly digital behind and pushes the analog realm of things of which we all desire to the forefront, I’m all for it.
Cheers, Duster
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Topic - Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler Report - Duster 09:38:54 01/02/11 (1)
- RE: Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler Report - Squonk 02:56:57 01/03/11 (0)
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