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anyone else daisy chain "jitterboxes"?

After using a Monarchy Super DIP for the past 2 years, I ran across a good deal on another DIP. Hooked it in line after the Super DIP (so I could use the balanced out into my D/A), let it warm up and WOW! Everything the DIP did on its own was again improved with the addition of the second unit. After listening for an hour, I picked a disc and set out to remove and reinsert them into the chain to make sure I wasn't fooling myslef. Easily noticed as they were added and removed. The biggest change was in the amount of space around the instruments and vocalist. Everything opened up. I remember reading a "buzz" sheet that Monarchy packed with my first DIP. The reviewer experimented with daisy chaining and found 1 was good, 2 were great, 3 was a slight slight improvement and the addition of a fourth was not noticable. I held this in the back of my mind and am glad I gave it a try. For a total of $350 including cable, I got a significant improvement in my sound.

Interested in other success or failure stories along this line.

Assoc equip.: Theta Basic -> Super DIP -> DIP -> Monarchy 18B or MSB Link III into passive control -> Krell KSA80B -> Sonus Faber Concertos. Transparent Super cable throughout.

-twylie
twylie

Showing 1 response by twylie

twylie OP
18 posts
 
Sean, I found almost the exact opposite with my experiences. In my system, separation between instruments improved; I would describe it as only a slight increase in image depth and width, but that the instruments and vocals were better localized. It was almost as if the sounds filled out their respective locations with more authority, but increased air and distance from each other. I know that last comment reads as a physical impossibility, but that's the best way I can describe it. Again, in my system PRAT was improved, but only marginally. Bass was more tuneful, but not deeper. I did not notice any loss of bass fullness. I noticed the midbass definition was improved allowing me to hear notes beginning and end as well as the time in between. Everything I'm attempting to decribe here sounds more "hi-fi" less music, but it's not. My overall system musicality is improved.

I found the BNC out on the Super DIP to sound better than the SPDIF, but I had to find a BNC to RCA cable to make best use of it.

I guess that's what makes this pursuit enjoyable and maddening at the same time. Stuff I've heard sound amazing a friends is only marginal in my system and vice versa.
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