A U D I O    I D E A S

Monarchy Audio  Model 22A DAC  Sugg. Retail: $1325  (balanced analog out: $1650)  Distributor:  Supreme Technology  34 Rlta Avenue  Nepean, Ont. K2G 2G6  (613) 567-0610 FAX 225-2527

    Monarchy Audio, based in San Francisco, is a new name in digital audio to me, one of many springing up in the fertile soil in Silicon Valley and environs. Described in the literature supplied as a “Dual 20-Bit” design the Model 22A uses Burr Brown Colinear DACs, combined with a special jitter reduction circuit, and 8-times oversampling filters. Additional analog filtering is provided also in which “ultra-sonic antilacts are absorbed through a branch wire.” There are totally separate analog and digital power supplies, with independent regulators for filter and output stages.

    Both Toslink and RCA coaxial inputs are provided, as well as balanced and unbalanced analog outputs (available without the former: see prices above), all XLR pins and RCA contacts gold- plated, the latter appearing to be Tiffanys. The front panel provides toggle switches for input selection and absolute phase with indicator lights above and below for each. The front panel is handsomely machined and contoured the Monarchy logo inset, and made of gold-coloured plastic. The look is that of a much more expensive component. I was also impressed by the provision of balanced outputs for less than $2000 though we did not have an opportunity to use them, so, though the review is of the more expensive model the features of the unbatanced Model 22 were all that were actually used.

    In listening to the Monarchy DAC 1 was struck by its very sweet detailed presentation, with extended deep bass and an exceptionally musical overall character. Switching between it and the TEAC VRDS-10 Bitstream player, one could almost see the soundstage collapse, and then reassert itself when going back to the Model 22A. This is not to denigrate the TEAC, but the Monarchy is in another league altogether.

    That group includes the Theta DS Pro Prime, of course, and the sound of these two processors could not be more different: who says all digital reproducers sound more alike as price increases? I’ve commented on this in that review and though my preference is for the Model 22, there is ample room for individual choice between these two exceptional DACs.

    I especially liked the string sound of the Monarchy, orchestral passages having a natural quality that is too seldom heard from digital. Even older CDs sounded better than on previous DACs.  only a few previously reviewed digital products coming to mind as being comparably effortless and revealing with that listen-through-to-the-music-quality.

    As expected, the coaxial inputs sound was a little more lucid than the optical, though there was less difference to be heard (with either Cal Labs or TEAC transport) than from the DS Pro Prime's two inputs.

    I also found the phase inversion switch useful, the correct polarity of a given disc quite easy to determine especially if it was acoustically recorded. The sound just seemed to pop into focus, the image depth stabilizing, and the bass gaining solidity and a distinct point of origin.

    Dynamics of this processor were also very good, the wide, deep soundstage never congested, even on orchestral tutti passages while pop and jazz recordings had excellent rhythmic impulsion; the more direct, forward character of the Theta seemed almost impolite, by comparison, but that must be understood to be a relative thing: I know which I like better, but I’m not quite sure that one is more accurate than the other at this high level of performance, though my own A Child Is Born CD sounded more like the master tape on the Monarchy.

    All that said, the Model 22 has to be recommended highly as an upgrade to any system, in its unbalanced version a remarkable value able to compete sonically with DACs costing much more.

Reprinted With permission from ANDREW MARSHALL 'S AUDIO IDEAS GUIDE, Summer/Fall 93 edition. Copyright Audio Ideas Ink Limited, 1993.

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