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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: lds490 on February 23, 2005, 06:17:59 PM

Title: Monarchy DIP Upsampler Mods
Post by: lds490 on February 23, 2005, 06:17:59 PM

Anyone know anything about Empirical Audio? 

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/

What do y'all think of this?

Monarchy DIP Mods/add USB

The Monarchy DIP upsampler utilizes the same upsampling chip as our
reference DAC, the P-3A. For a jitter-reducing device, it has a number of
circuit weaknesses that can be improved to reduce jitter even more.
This mod takes it to a new level of clarity and focus, matching the output
impedance to exactly 75 ohms and speeding-up the edge-rates so that
a shorter output S/PDIF cable can successfully be used. When the USB
interface is installed, this makes a very convenient method to interface
your PC to your favorite DAC or SS integrated amp. The length of the USB
interface can be much longer than the S/PDIF and will not degrade the
audio quality.

The Monarchy mods include:

   1. Power supply improvements - FREDs in place of rectifiers
   2. Power delivery improvements to the upsampling chip, including Black
      Gates
   3. output S/PDIF driver circuitry redesign - new pulse transformer
   4. Optional modded Superclock3 or SuperTurboclock3

The USB mods include:

   1. Adding USB interface and eliminating the Toslink input
   2. Redesign of the S/PDIF input to improve jitter
   3. Sheet-metal work for USB

     Pricing:

Monarchy mod - $500

Modded Superclock3 - $450

SuperTurboclock3 option - Add $100 to Superclock2

Add USB interface - $325

The mods take 2-3 days to complete, depending on backlog.

Title: Re: Monarchy DIP Upsampler Mods
Post by: JackoRoses on February 23, 2005, 06:26:12 PM

I would not get the USB mod, leave the toslink there.
Most sound (good)cards either have spdif or optical.
Maybe I am missing something?

Title: Re: Monarchy DIP Upsampler Mods
Post by: Tim on February 23, 2005, 06:35:40 PM

Quote from: jackorose on February 23, 2005, 06:26:12 PM

I would not get the USB mod, leave the toslink there.
Most sound (good)cards either have spdif or optical.
Maybe I am missing something?

I'm with you on that one...

Title: Re: Monarchy DIP Upsampler Mods
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 24, 2005, 05:07:56 PM

interesting...
but fucking expensive!

i've looked at the DIP upsampler, and the board is simple, and sparse looking.  I would think that upgrading it yourself could be well within the relm of posibility.

Title: Re: Monarchy DIP Upsampler Mods
Post by: macdaddy on February 24, 2005, 08:59:12 PM

that is expensive...

i wonder if they would do the jitter-improver(sic) mods without f*cking with the usb...

i am planning to output the cd player via optical, and use the ap2496 coax out for the 'puter player, and toggle between them (there is a switch on the DIP)...

hey - is there a difference between the digiOUT of the ap2496 and one of those sek'd or lynx cards (that cost so much more)? i mean digital is digital, right..? we are taking care of the jitter and clocking issues elsewhere..?(sorry for the a sort-of ot querey, but tia for any response :P)