chrken

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Monarchy Audio

Summary:
Operating in Class A, these are very smooth amps. Unlike those operating in class A/B, these have no hard edge on the highs, yet the bass is also quite solid. I listen to various types of music including classical, jazz, country, and rock and these are excellent at reproducing all of these forms. They are exceptionally strong on orchestral works. Once broken in, after 1-2 weeks, depending on usage, they open up nicely. I found that Mr. Poon at Monarchy Audio is very good to deal with and answered all of my questions before I purchased. To be able to acquire monoblocks operating in class A that perform as well as these in this price range is quite rare. While these can run quite hot, if you have easy to drive speakers such as my 8 ohm Paradigm Reference 100's, they don't get overly so. Depending upon the other components in your system and if you listen to a great deal of classical as I do, with the experience I've had, I can easily recommend these amplifiers.

Strengths:
Smooth, yet detailed. Small size makes for easy placement.

Weaknesses:
None really, although bass may have just a bit less slam than other solid states.

Similar Products Used:
ATI-1502

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Moanrchy Audio

Summary:
I finally got my SE-100Deluxe pair. Since I purchased my DIP upsampler (fantastic piece) I was dreaming of it. I read all the reviews. The reviewers were wright, but, reading the reviews will not prepare you to the sound of these amps! It seams that Class A, by maintaining the continuity of the electric signal, makes the brain to accept the music as such, not as an artificial product. They convey a naturalness to acoustic instruments and voices that moves you. They are "sweetly detailed", posses a natural middle and the bass is solid, tight and controlled. Specially pleasing are the reproduction of string instruments. Percussion also is wonderfully "re-created". The amps are famous for its soundstage an localisation of players so I won't extend on that. Just know that it is absolutelly true. If you love opera like myself, be prepared to orgasmic experience: the portrayal of the scenes and voices are so natural that you probably feel obliged to pay the entry ticket. And all of it using only a NAD receiver(slightly moded) as DAC/preamp and budget speakers. I can't wait to upgrade to better partners. If you value musical satisfaction you must audition these.

Strengths:
Sweetly detailed sound. Solidity and credibility of images. Tight and controlled bass that allows you to enjoy it! Forget about booming bass. You can follow the musical lines with the score on hand! Price: Monarchy Audio must be considered a non-profit pro-audiophile organization. Warranty is only one year but Mr Poon (the Boss himself) will answer your doubts and advise you. I think this is real warranty.

Weaknesses:
For one not acustomed to Class A amps: warm chassis.

Similar Products Used:
Only Class AB mid-fi amps: unfair comparison. My NAD T761 receiver was refered as "decent stereo amp" by Hi-Fi Choice and, when you listen to orchetral music it sounds like different orchestra sections playing. The SE-100 sounds like 6 violinists on the center-left plus 4 violas on the center back plus 4 cellos on the right and the conductor's feet making noise...etc.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I got into Monarchy Audio after listening to a Monarchy 10A and M22A DAC at a friend's house and was so impressed. These are 1995 pieces. When I hooked up the SE100 delux to replace my Bryston 3BST, I immediately was astonished at the difference in the sound. I have A/B compared Bryston vs Adcom vs Rotel vs Yamaha and found that Bryston made the most difference in the bunch, but relatively the same sound signature. But the SE 100 delux was totally different. In 30 seconds I was able to conclude that it sounded SMOOTHER, more powerful bass, has more depth to the sound. This amp sounds extremely smooth for a solid state. After listening longer, I was able to notice that the layering of different vocals was much more separated and smoother. The music over all became less loud and noisy. It seems that when I turn the volume higher, I hear louder singing and instruments, but somehow it wasn't "noisy" loud. The music seem to appear to be more local also between the speakers rather than flying around in the room. I think the placement of different sound is more accurate from this. Vocals sound extremely personal and distinctive. These amps togther with my Monarchy M33 pre and DAC, Moncarchy DIP upsampler, and Martin Logan SL3 make listening to music a joy. Just a side note on the other Monarchy pieces. I think the M33 is exceptional in dynamics. The DIP upsampler makes any CD player into a highend transport. The DIP upsampler tends to accentuate and make things sound just a little more right in their characters. I am most impressed with how wood sticks clanking sound so real. I can see why the SE100 delux is Soundstage's 2002 reviewer's choice. I can tell you amps in this price range don't sound this good or as distinctive as the SE 100 delux. I am a very practical and critical guy. So my review is based on very critical and unbiased point of view.

Strengths:
Exceptional sound in every aspect at this price range.

Weaknesses:
Cosmetics can be improved

Similar Products Used:
Bryston Adcom Rotel Yamaha

Price Paid:  $1150.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
System: Sony 9000ES (transport for redbook/standalone for sacd) Monarchy DIP Monarchy 33C Monarchy SE-100 deluxe monoblocks Legacy Audio Signature III speakers Nordost Quatrofil i/c Purist Audio Desgn Colossus Rev A speaker cable Balanced Power Technology power conditioner I have had this current system for about two months now. All of the Monarchy gear was added at the same time so this review is as much about the amps as it is the 33C and DIP. I bought these amps by virtue of the reviews. You can't really audition used gear. These are the best amps I have ever owned. Tremendous soundstaging, imaging, and are they musical! You are listening to music with these amps, not the pieces of gear in your system. I literally cannot sit still. The background is totally black and the sound is the most "live" sound I have ever had in my listening room. State of the art remastered redbook cd's sound nearly as good as an SACD through the Monarchy gear (I do have some SACD's that I don't think are all that great). The Monarchy gear is a great buy at full retail and at used prices it is an absolute steal. Hard to believe these little amps can sound this good but this is a case of the reviews being right on the mark. Cannot recommend highly enough. The amps and the 33C are a match made in heaven.

Strengths:
Soundstaging, imaging, musicality, size, price.

Weaknesses:
Resale value so buy used. Cannnot understand why they do not hold their value

Similar Products Used:
Atmasphere M-60 MK II, McCormack DNA-1 deluxe, ARC V-70, Ayre V-3, Bel Canto 200.2. Classe Dac-1, ARC Dac3 Mk2, Perp Tech P-1/P-3.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from audiogon

Summary:
I am contunually impressed with how well these little amps stack up with the best out there. Overall the sound is fairly warm and tube-like, but still retains SS user friendlieness. Here's a rundown on how it compared to other amps:

Unfair comparisons:
NAD 214: no contest, the NAD is grainy and rough in comparison and can't handle a hard load. Tough because the NAD is a great bargain at it's price and still and excellent midrange component.

Acurus: The Monarchy is warmer, less grainy, more detailed, puts out more power, and handles hard loads better

Fair comparisons:
SimAudio Moon W-5: The simaudio has more power and authority and is an excellent component, but if your speakers don't require that much power the Monarchy seemed to have slightly better resolving power and better fine detail

Welborne: These are better than the Monarchy's, but the Monarchy's were surprisingly close. The 300B's have just a bit more upper end and high-end detail. For the price the Monarchy's should have been blown away by the Welborne's, but the Monarchy's surpised me with their ability to present a similar 3D sound. High praise indeed for the Monarchy's.

The Monarchy's sound halfway between a solid state and SE tube amp in terms of sound. They are also able to drive very difficult loads like my Martin Logan CLSIIa's.

They are a steel at the retail price, and would still be a good deal at twice the price. I've had some questions for Monarchy and they have always been very friendly and responsive.

Strengths:
clarity, detail, warmth

Weaknesses:
Not as powerfull as some monster amps, turn-on thump, takes a while to fully warm up

Similar Products Used:
NAD 214, Acurus A150, Simaudio Moon W-5, Welborne 300B monoblocks