Like the Monica, the Charlize doesn't arrive with the typical IEC power inlet or even a captive power cord. It utilizes a Tripath TA 2020 chip and sells for $340.
#Maggie rig download plus#
The Monica can be yours for the feeble sum of $340 plus shipping.ĬK Kok designed the 10wpc class-T amp that goes by Charlize. It's a non-oversampling DAC using a TDA1545A chip. The digital to analog converter under review is called the Monica and was designed by Yeo himself, to currently be in its second iteration. As Forrest Gump would say - that's all I have to say about that. From a few feet away, the components appear to be flawless. Yet I was provided with a photograph said to be of this very component stack taken before being dispatched flawless. I did a little enquiring elsewhere and couldn't find an example of another reviewer's products undergoing such damaging US customs inspection. By way of possible explanation, it was theorized that customs may have opened up the box and perhaps was responsible. Upon investigation I learned that this was not the case. My natural assumption was that DIY Paradise had packed up a few of their workhorse pieces and shipped them off as temporary review loaners.
To be blunt, I was a little taken aback by the fact that several of the pieces featured scuffs and the DAC actually a fairly significant ding in its wooden casework. Once I started photographing the components, the large digital files on my monitor revealed to these aging eyes blemishes that had gone unnoticed before. To be honest, there was a certain cottage industry charm about the entire affair. Not exactly the most modern of packaging solutions but we are talking about very modestly priced DIY products from Malaysia. Each component was securely enrobed in layers of bubble wrap, then secured inside the box by compacted wads of crumpled paper. In fairly short order, the three components arrived packed in a FedEx box. If the rest of his pieces were as good as the reviews of the Monica DAC let on, it could be a lot of fun - and hopefully an easy recommendation. At $1,070 combined for a package containing a passive line stage, a DAC and a chip amplifier, I wasn't looking at spending a lot of our readers' money. The context of the road tour system with his DAC told me just enough to suspect that perhaps DIY Paradise was worth taking a look at. As a matter of fact, it was just after my own reading of one of Michael Lavorgna's Road Tours wherein he made mention of the DIY Paradise Monica DAC that Yeo contacted me. While I lost touch and was looking the other way, DIY Paradise was born. Along with two partners (EW CG and CK Kok), he started producing commercial DIY kits. Until about six months ago.ĬW Yeo - or simply Yeo as he calls himself - apparently returned to Malaysia where he discovered a way to combine vocation with avocation. Upon completion of his schooling, we e-mailed our good-byes and he sent me a little memento of his home country - a little pewter plaque. We talked a lot about audio but also other things such as failed long-distance love affairs. He was in the US on a student visa from Malaysia. I don't remember the exact details of our audio discussions or his system other than that he was looking into getting his first quality yet budget-conscious rig. I received an email from a kid majoring in electrical engineering at the Michigan State University. It must have been close to ten years ago just as I was getting started writing. No doubt about it, the world is getting smaller all the time. Review component retail: Maggie Autoformer Volume Control $430 Charlize Amplifier class-T $340, Monica DAC $300 Sundry accessories: Sound Mechanics Performance Platform, 2-inch Butcher Block platforms with Quest for Sound Isol-pads, Vibrapod Isolators and Cones, Ultra & Heavy Z-Sleeves, Viablue QTC spikes under speakers, Auric Illuminator, Gingko Audio Mini-Clouds Powerline conditioning: Balanced Power Technology 3.5 Signature Plus with ZCable Cyclone Power Cord Power Cords: JPS Power AC, Analog AC, Digital AC, Aluminata and Kaptovator Speaker Cables, Interconnects and Digital cables: JPS Labs Superconductor 3
#Maggie rig download upgrade#
Speakers: Tidal Audio Pianos, Hørning Perikles, Thiel CS 2.4, Ohm Acoustics Walsh 4 with 4.5 mk.2 upgrade
Power Amp: Art Audio Carissa, Bel Canto e.One REF1000 and Canary CA-330 monos, Cyber 211 monos, Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated Analog Source: Rega P9 turntable, RB1000 & Hadcock GH Export arms, Rega Super Elys & Garrott Bros Optim FGS cartridgesĭigital Source: Accustic Arts Drive 1/Audio Aero Prima SE DAC
0 kommentar(er)
