Just received the Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro

[zombie boy 2000]

Our friends at UPS just plopped a new toy into my lap and I can't wait to hook it up to the Arros. Eventually, I plan on acquiring another one and running them as balanced monoblocks, but until then..... I should still be spoiled rotten.


Review to come later. How 'bout some pics?

[Zero]

So why are you posting here. Give them a listen, and give me a call!

[zombie boy 2000]

Will do... tomorrow will see some quality time. However, tonight will be spent with the in-laws. I suppose we must all pass through the eye of the needle so that we may enter paradise:D

I'll give you a ring tomorrow evening.

[schwarcw]

Nice! How about some details and specs?

[heiney9]

Nice amp. A pair of those are on my short list to own.........soon hopefully. I've always liked C.C. Poon's approach with Monarchy gear. Simple to the point and well built.

[polkatese]

Zoom...zoom...zoom! nice!

[heiney9]

Here's a gut shot :D

[zombie boy 2000]

Nice! How about some details and specs?

Here ya go Carl... I was away from my computer yesterday. I did have a chance to do some critical listening yesterday, so I'll be posting the results of that in a bit.

Due to its zero feedback technology the SM-70 PRO has won wide
acclaims as the most transparent, most tube-like solid state amp
and used as a mono block, the lowest cost True Balanced Amp in
the industry.

The new generation just introduced features higher power:

180 Watt on 4 Ohms above 10KHz in mono mode.
140 Watt on 4 Ohms below 10KHz in mono mode.
40 Watts x 2 on 4 Ohms in stereo mode

much lower noise (by the use of an epoxy-filled toroidal transformer)

and enhanced performance (circuit revision).

SM-70 Pro
Double input drivers
Double output MOSFETS
Higher-power toroidal transformer
Larger heatsinks and chassis
Higher power output: 120 Watts rms @ 4 Ohms, 80 Watts @ 8 Ohms (mono-block operation)
180 Watt on 4 Ohm above 10KHz in True Balanced Mode
Higher value filter-capacitors -- now 60,000 uF (MFD) total!
Double rectifiers
Larger front panel
Heavier: 24 lb.

[zombie boy 2000]

H9 -- thanks for the gut shot:)

[zombie boy 2000]

Let me begin by first providing a hearty "thank-you" to Zero for suggesting this amp when I realized that my Rotel 980 was somewhat outclassed by the Arros. Moreover, he pulled a few strings so that I could purchase a pristine unit at a fair price, as opposed to a dinged up unit on Agon (which I was in the middle of negotiating when given this other option).

As for the amp.... don't let it's specs deceive you. It's 40 watts of Class A output is at least on par with the Rotel's 130 wpc. However, this is where the similarities end. The Monarchy is absolute nectar. A somewhat rolled off top end that interestingly sacrifices little detail. Warm and lush? Certainly. Smeared? Not in the slightest.

A perfect mate, because it seems to play to all the Arros' strengths. Imaging beasts that they are, they do it even better now. And the soundstage which was so eerily recessed is now cast even farther behind the speakers. The Arros, which made a small room seem rather large -- now have completely knocked down my back wall.

Center image remains rock solid, while still engaging in the "audio trickery" of a wide presentation. With the Rotel, these speakers disappeared. With the Monarchy, I never knew the speakers even existed. I swear... I have to walk right up to 'em to to catch them making sound.

As for the sound -- it's honey. I didn't know solid-state could do this. Listening to the Raveonette's Pretty in Black, I swear I was given a lullaby on each track. The modern day Phil Spector sound of lost love and Dead Man's Curves was enchanting and dreamy, while never losing focus and becoming boring. It grabbed my attention, but in a subtle way. I found myself smiling, in spite of myself. Chimes, acoustic guitar, and hand claps....
bubble-gum and corn syrup. I loved it.

How about something a lil' more uptempo? I threw in the Rapture's Echoes. I knew the Arros were quick, but I was not entirely sure about the Monarchy. MOSFET blur and what have you... This is New Nu-wave dance courtesy of NYC and is characterized by an infectious pace. Synchopated beats overlap to create an almost melodic rhythm. Yelping vocals, choppy guitars, and percussion of all kinds (including cowbell... yes cowbell), absolutely necessitate that one's system keep pace in order for the message to be conveyed. I'll be damned if the Monarchy didn't accomplish all of this, sans a little bit of the "bass slam" necessary to get a room hopping. The bass was articulate and quick, just not earth moving. What do you expect from a single 4 1/2" driver and a MOSFET design?

The one thing that the Monarchy did bring to the table (which was totally unexpected) was a sense of increased size. Whatever the Arros were doing on the wide soundstage they initially cast was done with miniature versions of the musicians. I was fine with this. They're meant for a small room and lower level listening. But for some reason, the Monarchy juiced everyone up. Now everything is presented on a more life-like scale.

We'll let her break in a little more and I'll report back. It should be noted that I'm simultaneously breaking in new speaker cables, as well.

Jason

[audiobliss]

Wow. That's one beast of an amp. Congrats!!

[Early B.]

Great!!

What kind of speaker cables are you using?

[zombie boy 2000]

Great!!

What kind of speaker cables are you using?

I "repurchased" some Signal Cable Classic Bi-wire after I found them to work better in my set-up than the Ultra Double-run Bi-wire I had just purchased.
I know this is the exception to the rule, but I talked to Frank and he said a couple of other people had expressed this (just not many). System synergy can be a bitch...

Of course, I hadn't introduced the amp when I made that decision... so it may not have been the wisest.

[RuSsMaN]

Sweet amp. We had one to demo at the last Bottlehead meet I hosted - I couldn't get enough of it.

Cheers,
Russ

[Zero]

Jason,

That amp shoulda been in my house, not yours. Lucky bastard. I hope your wife finds that message! The next wont be so PG-13.

Enjoy the tunes. Let me know when the passive arrives.

[zombie boy 2000]

Thanks Russ -- just curious.... what speakers did you guys pair it with? I'm falling in love with this baby, and I'd like to know where else it shines.

Sean -- I just heard the message. Too funny... now I'm going to have to monitor all my calls so the wife doesn't start to expect chains and whips along with new gear.

[faster100]

damm, that thing retails for $980 for 40x2 watts

[RuSsMaN]

We ran my line arrays, and the Onix X-LS shelf speakers on it.

[heiney9]

damm, that thing retails for $980 for 40x2 watts

That's not your typical 40 watts. Now you see why I don't have them yet $$$. It's customary (though not neccessary) to run them in single ended mono as pairs. But the more people I read who actually own them feel running a single unit in stereo is usually enough, especially if it's the Pro version which is beefier than the regular version.

This thread has got me stoked again and on the hunt. Right now on the 'gon they have a manufacturer's pair (being sold by Monarchy) for $980/pr. with factory warranty.

Problem is I could drop the grand for the pair, but my speaks don't deserve them and I doubt my Nak pre-amp will be a good mate, or so I've read about some horrible issues with most active preamps. So then I'd have to spend another couple grand minimum to upgrade...............that's what I keep telling myself is holding me back.

I'm of the "I want it all right now" theory, not the "piece it together as I go" theory. If I could get by with one I've seen them in the $400-450 range which is doable without too much guilt.

H9

[zombie boy 2000]

and I doubt my Nak pre-amp will be a good mate, or so I've read about some horrible issues with most active preamps.

H9

I just placed a $50 order with Monarchy for a passive-pre. Ugly as sin, so I'm thinking of putting a paper bag over it. Maybe draw a face on it...

[faster100]

yeah the passive pre is ugly.. and the parts arent all that.. has an alps volume but the one i had was a electric one that had the motor on it still, just not used. i ended up making it a integrated amp with a sonic impact i had..