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Monarchy NM24 as a pre-amp -- good enough for me?

Hi,

I'm currently mulling over getting an NM24 to use as a DAC and pre-amp and I'm wondering how good the pre-amp section is. I read one review that complained about the lack of transparency that went along with the internal volume control, but I'm trying to figure out what that would mean to me. I'm upgrading from a Rotel A/V receiver, RSX-1055. Would it be safe to assume that it will sound better than the rotel, as far as the pre-amp goes? I'm guessing that it's not particularly transparent, although I don't have anything better to compare it with.

Thanks,

Frank
fgallina
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I have the M-24, the more early model....(DAC and tube preamp only). I have a tube preamp that is better (Audioprism Mantissa), so I don't use the Monarchy preamp very often.

That said, I think it's a nice sounding preamp. (and very nice for the price!)

It has a lot of gain, to much for some amps (eleven O'Clock could be "very" loud). The sound of mine is somewhat forward...not a bad thing, in some systems.

Dave
fgallina OP
1 posts
 
Thanks to everyone for the answers. Now that I've had a chance to listen for a while, I can tell you that the pre-amp section does indeed sound very good, but I'm generally listening around 6 o'clock on the dial -- not the end of the world though...
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Try a few different tubes after you have had it a while...

Dave
clio09
3,360 posts
 
Not sure I understand 6'oclock on the dial. When I tried the preamp section I got to about 9'oclock. I generally prefer 12 o'clock (straight up).

Tube rolling is fun with the unit. Try to ditch the volume control in the future as well for something better. Assuming you feel the NM24 is a keeper.
vladimir
346 posts
 
I agree with the other posters who recommend the Monarchy as a preamp, probably the biggest bang for the buck I've listened to if one includes the superb tube DAC. I have the original M24 model and replaced all tubes with 2 matched pairs of EH6922s to better complement my polite ACI Sapphire/Stello M200 system. Totally satisfied except for the very high gain that forces me to use 6 to 9 o'clock volume, no big deal.
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