Exploring the world of DAC chips
Monarchy Audio no longer recommends the Piggy Back installation
for the PCM63.
Reasons:
1: It is difficult to match two pcs so the top and bottom will perfectly
yield the same amount of output, and channel imbalance may result.
2: The Piggy Back draws double the supply current, adding strain on
the power supply .
3: In a Piggy Back installation, some of the pins are not supposed to be tied together.
Only the technical savvy can successfully reap the advantage from the
Piggy Back installation, power supply resources allowing.
4: Some of the pins on the Piggy Back should best be bypassed by
independent capacitors, making the installation a lot more
challenging than just soldering one chip on top of the other.
Now Monarchy Audio is offering a drastic measure to improve the
PCM 63 in any such installation:
Remove the PCM63, and install the Monarchy Audio’s new
PCM63 adaptor (see picture).
The services that Monarchy Audio provides are:
1: Remove the two PCM63 chips
2: Install two 28-pin machined pin IC sockets
3: Install the PCM63 Adaptor card (with PCM1704 installed)
4: Run distortion and frequency response tests and substitute
components (resistors and capacitors) where necessary
5: Final sound test.
The labor for the above service is US$80.-, PCM63-1704 Adaptor not included.
There are two adaptor choices: (see data sheet for differences)
a) PCM63-PCM1704U Adaptor US$30 each
b) PCM63-PCM1704U-K (top performing version) US$45 each
In other words if the customer wants to install (B) for optimal
performance, the total Parts & Labor cost would be $170.-
Customers can also buy the adaptors for self-installation.
