Monarchy Audio In the News

CES 2011

Monarchy Audio is a name I recognized from my earliest days in High End audio back in the early 1990s, and the name C.C. Poon also rang a bell. To my recollection, this was my first encounter with the gentleman. Their gear was known to be high value entry level components and what I saw here looked to be the same styling I knew from yesteryear. I cannot say his gear has been top of mind in recent years, but from what I heard hear, it should be. Using only a modest Samsung DVD player the digital output was sent to an NM24 preamplifier ($1590)* that included a tube DAC (24/96), a solid state DAC (24/96), a tube headphone amp and a tube line amp. This DAC/line stage in turn drove the solid state SE-100 monoblocks ($2358/pr.) that powered the Lenehan Audio S2 speakers from Australia. The prototype Lenehan speakers are very tube friendly in spite of their moderate 87.5dB sensitivity. The SE-100 with 100w/8 Ohm, 180 w/4 Ohm, drove them with ease and the sonic quality of this rig shattered my antiquated stereotype of the Monarchy brand Not only was it a terrific value at list price, but Ching Poon was offering incredible Show Special prices through the end of October. I didn't catch the price of the Lenehan S2, but I can tell you an S1 mini monitor and S3 floor stander are coming soon, as is a dedicated stand for the S2. East Coast distribution of the speakers is through Swap Meet Audio in New York City.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/taves_2011/part4/page2.htm

January 20, 2012

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