In any case, component status is both a curse and a blessing to high-end cable makers. It is a blessing because it has raised the cost ceiling of their products ever higher. It can be a curse when some smarty-pants reviewer begins to question some of the prices on a cost benefit basis.

All of this leads me to the unquestioned conclusion that cables should be the final budgetary consideration of the sensible audiophile, even if cost is no object. My reasoning for this is two fold: First of all, a few extra bucks spent on a better pair of speakers or a better DAC is far more liable to make a perceptible difference than a few bucks more spent on cable. Sorry folks, but this is what 25 years at this game has taught me. Secondly, cables are getting better and better all the time. The buyer can get a far better cable for the dollar than ever before. As an example, Kimber PBJ will simply annihilate 1980's standard of the decade MIT Ml-330. Even without adjusting for inflation, the MIT costs almost triple the price of the humble and eminently more lovable PBJ. Sometimes progress really does benefit the consumer.

Monarchy Audio will always know a warm place in my heart. C.C. Poon was the manufacturer to provide a review sample for publication in TAO. The piece was the now legendary Model 22 DAC. I can proudly say that the first U.S. review of this lovely DAC appeared in these pages way back in November of 1992. Time does fly. The Model 22 is now in a C designation, and I've no doubt that it is much improved. What is amazing to me is that the 22C still carries the very same price that it did five years ago: $980. You can count on Monarchy to save you some cash and make you some music.

Not surprisingly, Monarchy extends the value for the buck thinking into their cable offerings as well. Their AC-1 power cable is priced at a mere $59. I have simple evaluation program for high-end power cables that serves me well. First, I spend a couple days listening to my system with 16-3 shielded cable from wire giant Belden used on all pieces. Then, I replace all of the cables with the test cable and listen again to the same material over a couple of weeks. Then I go back to the Belden for a couple of days. What I listen for is a lessening of nasties, cleaner silences, and greater ease to the system. Many times, I can hear no difference from the test cables to the Belden, and many other times I hear test cables that actually degrade the system when compared to the Belden. In both cases, I don't waste my time or yours reviewing such products, At only $59, the Monarchy AC-1 passes the test clearly, while numerous cables costing well over $100 have failed. This is the kind of value and musicality for which Monarchy products are renown. Before you spend a lot of money on a more expensive AC cable, do yourself a favor all call up the good folks at Monarchy. The AC-1 is highly recommended for the sensible music lover.