SE-250

From: "fishin mission" <grouse@localnet.com>
Subject: SE-250 Impressions
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 06:56:28 -0500

I wanted to write to tell you how much we (my wife and I) are enjoying the new SE-250 amps. You were totally right
in thinking I was jumping the gun worrying about tube substitutions before I ever even received the amps.

When we hooked up the SE-250's I immediatley noticed the great midrange and highs we were looking for.
Detailed with a liquid feel that was missing from our previous solid state amp.
The bass seemed a little thin, but I thought this was probably because my VMPS RM-2 speakers were over damped.
This turned out to be the case. After I adjusted the putty on the RM-2 passive radiators, the bass was back and the
music had a lifelike full feeling.

I'm pretty poor at discriping how a piece of equipment sounds.
Like alot of audio buffs, we have reference songs to test aspects of a a new piece of equipment.
One song for bass response,one for female vocals, ect.
I started to go through this list but became too involved with the music to continue.
Instead I started going through our CD's wondering how The Monkees and other "nonaudiophile" selections would sound.
I think the ability to make one listen closer and more to music is the best compliment one can give. The SE-250's do that.

I'm sure we will be trying some more exotic tubes in the future.
Tweaking a system is half the fun of this hobby. For now we have alot mor listening to do.
I will certainly recommend the SE-250's to anyone.
Thanks
Kim Schroeder

From: Tony Nicosia
E-Mail:SFLOVESALL@aol.com
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 00:52:46 EDT
Subject: SE-250 AMPLIFIERS
Pictures attached

From: SFLOVESALL@aol.com
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 00:52:46 EDT
Subject: SE-250 AMPLIFIERS

Dear Mr. Poon:

I cannot get over how great these SE-250 mono block amplifiers
sound. The stereo imaging is sensational, and the sound is crystal clear.
One of the best things about these, besides the price, is that I can
adjust the sound by simply changing two relatively inexpensive tubes. I
love tubes and being a hybrid tube/solid state design they are just
perfect for me. I have experimented with all types of tube replacements
for the SE-250's and when I get the upgrade bug I can dramatically change
the sound by just dropping in a new set of tubes. I am also using your
upgraded power cords with your amps and they replaced some more expensive
after market ones I was using. I did enjoy the SE-160 mono block amps you
let me try but the 250's gave me the power I wanted, although I probably
did not need because my speakers are quite sensitive. Please put these on
your price list so others can learn of these amps too, why do you keep
such a good thing a secret? I read the article from "Secrets of Home
Theater and High Fidelity", and itâ€™s too late the word is getting
out. One of the things that persuaded me to go with the SE-250 over the
SE-160 is the beautiful faceplate you designed; all my audiophile friends
and my wife love them. Even my teenagers thought they were â€œkoolâ€�.
If you could do it this would be a great upgrade option for your whole
line. I wish more manufacturers would make attractive faceplates as I
consider my equipment a large part of my home decor (since it fills a
large part of the room) and therefore it must be pleasant to look at as
well. Attached is a picture of my living room with all the equipment to
give you an idea of what I mean. If you look closely at the pictures I
made some brass cylinders of various heights and widths to put under and
on top of your amps, my speakers and other equipment. My friends and I
seem to really enjoy the sonic upgrade they made for only a small outlet
of cash. You can borrow some if you would like to try them. Your DIP and
Upsampler are still in my home theater room and doing fine. I will be
coming by soon for some more DR-1 interconnects, as they are quite
addictive. Lastly the audio cables you sold me a few days ago are amazing
for only $49 and sound better then the $500 cables they replaced. You
were right; you can get true hi-end sound without spending a fortune. Now
if you would only design a new pre-ampï¿½ï¿½ï¿½I might be reae ready for
another change. I seem to be becoming quite a fan of Monarchy equipment.

Thanks and Happy Listening

Tony
(Tony Nicosia)
E-Mail:SFLOVESALL@aol.com

Date: Thu, 02 May 2005
From: Tony Barns
E-Mail: nato@marinmail.com

May I say a few things about the Monarchy SE-250? It is such an
exceptional amplifier. It indeed possesses both the sweetness of a tube
amp and the power and dynamics of a large solid state amp. The sound is
so balanced, detailed, so pleasing and full-bodied.

As I had mentioned to you, I had been thinking of bi-amping the
Dynastats, but the SE-250s are so powerful that I am having second
thoughts. Bi-amping doesn't at all seem necessary. However, depending on
what it costs, I think I will yet have the passive pre-amp built with the
two volume controls and two sets of outputs-who knows what the future
will bring. Will building it this way reduce the gain of the two outputs
compared to a single output?

The Dynastats are themselves a joy. I am quite mindful of the
circumstances of their sale and can only express my gratitude.

The length of the speaker cables I am interested in are as follows: one
pair at 18 feet and one pair at 12 feet. What would the price be for these?

I hope that your weekend was an enjoyable one.

Sincerely,

Tony Barnes
E-Mail: nato@marinmail.com