This is sounding so good!

[walpurgis]

I started off with a some June Tabor earlier, but I've been playing a bit of (beautifully recorded) Shpongle for the last couple of hours. The system is well warmed up now and it is just sounding absolute magic.

I'm using a cheap old Pioneer PD-S505 Precision CD player as a transport through a Monarchy Audio 48/96 DIP into a Monarchy Audio M22B DAC and then into the Ming Da MC-9 TVC pre-amp followed by my Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro Class A power amp driving my very rare Tannoy 3128 Cheviot II speakers. Good cables throughout.

I've been through mountains of equipment in the past, good and bad. But this is now in a different league. So weighty, transparent and detailed, but smooth and sweet. Bliss!

(vinyl out of action at the moment, need to bung another cartridge in)

[synsei]

Just changed carts myself Geoff. I've sold the Goldy 900IGC and on a whim I shoved another Goldy in the Series III, this time a G820SE. It was one of those, 'where have YOU been all my life' moments... :D

On the downside it does look pug ugly when compared with its sexy looking sister...

[walpurgis]

Yeah, the 820 SE was a goody, as was the 800 SE.

The Shure M75 ED and M91 ED weren't too shabby either, I preferred them to the contemporary V15.

I still rank an ADC XLM III or 10E Mk.IV (or Mk.II) higher! I've had them all and only kept the ADCs, that must mean something!

By the way I've just bunged Kate Bush's 'Aerial' on and it's sounding exquisite (yes I know a lot of you hate it, nice recording though).

[synsei]

oops, so I have. Soz Geoff... lol

Ain't nowt wrong with our Kate. Aerial is an excellent album, it is also a fabulous recording. I love it when the drums come in on King Of The Mountain, superb stuff. Just been listening to two of my fave Kate Bush tracks through the headphones, Moments Of Pleasure and Sensual World ;)

[walpurgis]

oops, so I have. Soz Geoff.

I deleted my comment Dave ;)

[Reffc]

Yeah, the 820 SE was a goody, as was the 800 SE.

The Shure M75 ED and M91 ED weren't too shabby either, I preferred them to the contemporary V15.

I still rank an ADC XLM III or 10E Mk.IV (or Mk.II) higher! I've had them all and only kept the ADCs, that must mean something!

By the way I've just bunged Kate Bush's 'Aerial' on and it's sounding exquisite (yes I know a lot of you hate it, nice recording though).

Don't fret as you're not alone! I quite like that album too...very restful and very tuneful. Interesting that you preferred the M75 and 91 carts to the V15. I've had those too and found the 75 a little dark sounding and coarse around the edges (but very entertaining). 91 was better, 95 better again but my favourite amongst my current crop of Shure's has to be the V15 IV.

Glad the Cheviots are still ticking all the right boxes!

[walpurgis]

Later, just for a change, I may dig a valve pre & power amp out, hook up my Meridian CD player and stick a decent MC in the TT and try that. It'll have to go some to sound any better than the current setup though!

[Ali Tait]

From what I've seen, despite their sensitivity, Tannoys seem to like a good few watts up 'em.

[Effem]

The Monarchy M22B DAC is one of my all time favourites. A lot of them (the later versions as standard) have been upgraded to "piggyback" status with 2 DAC chips one on top of the other giving a smooth sublime yet detailed sound. Not tried thw MA power amp but read lots of favourable comments from owners.

[walpurgis]

Yes the DAC is a cracker, it sounds better (just) than my Theta DS Pro Progeny.

I have both versions of the Monarchy Audio amps, the SM-70 and the SM-70 Pro. They do sound different, the Pro is softer and more laid back, but the basic SM-70 is more lucid. They both sound bloody amazing, even by Class A standards. A lot better than any Sugden I've heard for a start. Plenty of wellie too! They drive the Tannoys effortlessly to any level I care to try and have tremendous grip.