Digital Drive: REVIEW: Monarchy Audio DIP Classic DAC Processors by Tuckers

Model:	DIP Classic
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$249
Description:	An update on the DIP with an optimized 44.1 Khz output
Manufacturer URL:	Monarchy Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Monarchy Audio

Review by Tuckers ( A ) on May 23, 2003 at 23:37:34
IP Address: 67.164.7.197

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for the DIP Classic

I have used a 24/96 DIP on and off for acouple of years. It definitely improved the digital coming out of my DVD player into my DAC, and depending on the DAC or transport, improved my CD sources as well. On a few creme del la creme digital systems, it was slightly worse. Overall though it was a benefit.
The 24/96 I already use does make a nice improvement already. With it in use, a certain amount of mechanicalness left the music along with a bit of electronic glaze and brightness.
CC Poon of Monarchy let me know he had a new version of the DIP called the Classic. It's made to optimize redbook CD signals and DVD. The parts have been improved, and updated, and the clock outputs a purified 44.1 Khz signal. Apparently, this also helps with some syncing problems with DVD sources.
The casing, switches, inputs and outputs of the unit is exactly the same as the previous model. The white screening on the front has the Classic writing. The build quality was excellent at this price point. For $20 you can upgrade the unit with a chip internally to handle 96 Khz signals (I'm not sure if it then outputs 96Khz, or only accepts them).
My digital system consists of a Spectral SDR 3000 Reference transport, Synergisitc Research Resolution Reference Active cable (RCA) and a Monarchy digital cable, the 24/96 DIP, a Panasonic RP82 DVD player, and the Audio Note 3.1 balanced DAC.
The Classic interested me as I thought it might be a good match and upgrade to the excellent Audio Note 3.1 balanced DAC, with it's 1x oversampling and lack of some filters in the signal path. If this unit is optimized for Redbook, then it possibly does less to the signal than the 24/96 model (a good thing) better.
So how does it sound? Pretty darn good. The overall impression was one of clarity and depth. It was significantly better than the 24/96 in fact. The noise floor dropped, and the dynamic range increased. It sounds like it wiped away some noise or static that I hadn't noticed before. The music flowed better, sounding, well, more like music.
Then I decided to do some tweaking. I added a tiny piece of self-adhesive damping material to the crystal oscillator chip. Then I cut a credit card sized piece of the Stillpoint ERS material (RFI and EMI blocker/absorber), taped the edges with electrical tape. I taped on the circuit board over digital part of the board. I find the ERS works great in moderation on top of digital circuits. Then I also put a piece on the bottom of the unit in the same position. This tweak amplified the positive results of the unit even further.
All told, the DIP Classic was a very inexpensive and effective tweak, It was the sonic equivalent of upgrading my DAC a level.
I'd love to see a larger version that has more inputs. Sort of a digital switching DIP. Add a remote, and I bet you would have a nice new niche product for the growing amount of digital sources in the audiophile home.
Highly recommended. I'm lucky that Monarchy is in my back yard, and we're all lucky that CC Poon is creating such cost-effective products!

Product Weakness: None sonically or buildwise. I'd like to see the switches on the front.
Product Strengths: Removed a fair amount of digital 'noise' from my system making music clearer, more liquid and more dynamic. Price is very affordable.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	ASR Emitter integrated amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Spectral Reference Transport/ Panasonic RP82 DVD
Speakers:	Vandersteen 5s
Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research Designers reference active and X active
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, classical early music, folk
Room Size (LxWxH):	30 ft x 22 x 8 Ft.
Room Comments/Treatments:	Customized room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	2 sound application filters, Audio Prism Quiet Lines, Quantum Symphony Pro, Electroclears
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None sonically or buildwise. I'd like to see the switches on the front.
Product Strengths:	Removed a fair amount of digital 'noise' from my system making music clearer, more liquid and more dynamic. Price is very affordable.