dac choice

Plato, Thanks for the info. Do you run the Monarchy 24 directly in to your amp? I would be using it with an integrated so I wouldn't use the volume control. Have you tried it both ways?

The Benchmark is excellent and does many things well. It's a great value, but it's a tad clinical for me.

84audio, I'm actually running the M24's DAC stage directly into my preamp and then into my amps. I have tried it both ways and think that the M24 sounds a bit more palpable and immediate if you bypass its linestage and volume control. I put a pair of Siemens E88CC gold-pin tubes in the DAC stage and they sound fantastic -- especially in the highs. Some folks seem to like the NOS Mullards, as well.

Your comments on the Benchmark are well taken and understood.

Monarchy Audio today suggested using their DIP Upsampler in conjunction with the M24, especially if using a DVD player as a transport. Anyone using the DIP Upsampler, too?

I'm considering trying the M24 to use in conjunction with my Sony CDP77ES changer c. 1991. The Sony has an optical output.

BTW, I'd like to know the dimensions of the M24 if anyone has them. There is no info on the Monarchy website about the dimensions.

The Dagogo reviewer listed them as 17/14/4.

17/14/4. Thanks.