Introduction
My original review of Monarchy's diminutive 250W hybrid monoblocks appeared in these pages in June, 2005.
In the conclusion, I wrote, "The Monarchy SE-250 hybrid monoblocks represent outstanding value. Their enviably neutral presentation, by no means a given when it comes to amplification, is both musical and satisfying. With careful attention to choice of tube, the Monarchys provide a wonderful taste of the real thing."
The last time I heard these monoblocks, my most satisfying experience with this single tube, zero feedback design occurred when I substituted the NOS (new old stock) Siemens E88CC supplied with the amp – the European version of the 6DJ8 --with the Jan Philips 5814A (a version of the 12AU7/ECC 82) that I use in my reference Jadis 100W DA-7 Luxe stereo amp. Although this greatly improved the sound of the Monarchys, the tube was only fed 6.1 volts between pins 4 and 5, rather than the 12.6 volts it expects to receive. Regardless, even with the monoblocks only delivering about 120 watts into 8 ohms rather than their rated power of 250 watts, they sounded best with the Jan Philips 5814A.
Once informed of the situation, Monarchy's C.C. Poon opined, "I think that if we can feed the 12AU7 with its full voltage requirement, it should sound exquisite. If our customers want a 12.6 volt configuration, we want to give them that upgrade option."
Many months later, I received a pair of SE-250s upgraded to adequately accommodate 12.6 volt tubes. Although I no longer have the original 6.1 volt version monoblocks on hand to compare them to, I have spent a significant amount of time listening to the modified SE-250s.
Link to full review...
06-25-06, 01:59 AM
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