Hear what the world's leading audio publications have to say about Monarchy Audio products.
Interview with the Founder
A wide-ranging conversation with Monarchy Audio founder and designer C.C. Poon on the company's history, its single-ended design philosophy, and the story behind the SM-70, SE-100, and SE-160.
Dagogo — English"Monarchy Audio was born in the early nineties, with a mission to provide 'true high-end at low cost'… Our products are true high end at low cost."
Constantine Soo, Dagogo.com, March 2001 Read Interview (English)
Dagogo — 中文"Monarchy Audio 誕生於九○年代初期，使命是「以低成本提供真正的高階音響」… 我們的產品是低成本的真高階。"
Constantine Soo，Dagogo.com，2001 年 3 月 閱讀訪問（中文版）
Digital-to-Analog Converter
The Golden Ear award-winning NM24 — and its M24 predecessor — set the standard for affordable high-end digital conversion. Critics hailed them as "regal, natural sound" and "music's magic on a budget" — genuine high-end performance at an affordable price.
★★★★★The Absolute Sound"The Monarchy NM24 teaches us three important lessons about digital-to-analog converter design… Its sound character is exceedingly analog-like, as the NM24 sidesteps the halo of brightness that permeates the harmonic textures of so many delta-sigma-based DACs. You'll have to look in the neighborhood of $5k in order to exceed its performance."
Dick Olsher, The Absolute Sound, November 2015 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Stereo Times"In my view the Monarchy M24 DAC/Line-stage is a remarkable product. The DAC or the tube line stage by itself would be worth Monarchy's low $1490 price, but to get both units rolled into one very attractive component definitely strikes me as quite the sound bargain."
Clement Perry, Stereo Times, July 2006 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Dagogo — M24 & SM-70 Pro"It gives tremendous value for the money as the M24 is a three device unit — SS DAC, Tube DAC and Tube Line Amp, all in one package… do not let that dissuade you if you are in search of economical excellent performance."
Doug Schroeder, Dagogo, August 2008 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Dagogo — M24 & SM-70PRO"The SM-70 Pro and M24 tube DAC Line Amp have a very special magic combination of energy and ambience. At all volume levels this system delivers a fantastic mix of detail and full-range sound… In conclusion, I could completely live with this system for a very long time and always have a smile on my face."
Sandy Greene, Dagogo, March 2006 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½HighFidelityReview (from Affordable Audio)"To the best of my knowledge, this component is unique in the audio world due to its multiple configuration design… Combine the NM24 with a high quality amplifier such as the SM 70 PRO, and you can create a system that will run circles around some very expensive gear. If you get a chance to audition a NM24, you really should do so, and don't be surprised if it stays in your system."
John Hoffman, HighFidelityReview View Full Review (PDF)
MOSFET Power Amplifier
The classic SM-70 MK2 — the foundation of Monarchy's acclaimed amplifier lineage — earned praise from reviewers worldwide for its MOSFET warmth, build quality, and exceptional value.
★★★★★Audio Express"The SM-70 MK2 and SE-100 together represent the vanguard of affordable high-end amplification. Monarchy Audio has consistently delivered products that perform far beyond their modest price tags."
View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½Musings"The SM-70 MK2 proves that great amplification does not require great expense. Its MOSFET output stage delivers a warm, engaging presentation with impressive bass authority and a sweet, extended treble. Highly recommended."
View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Ray"Monarchy Audio's SM-70 MK2 is a revelation. For the price of a mid-fi receiver, you get genuine high-end sonics with superb build quality and the kind of musical involvement that keeps you listening late into the night."
View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★HoSum"The SM-70 MK2 is a beautifully built piece of audio engineering that delivers clean, transparent sound with a natural tonal balance. The U-channel chassis design and meticulous internal layout speak to Monarchy's commitment to quality."
View Full Review (PDF)
MOSFET Power Amplifier
The 100W SE-100 MK2 MOSFET power amplifier has been praised for its authoritative power delivery and refined sonic character.
★★★★★Bound for Sound"The SE-100 MK2 delivers a level of performance that challenges amplifiers costing significantly more. Its MOSFET output stage combines tube-like midrange warmth with solid-state grip and control."
View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½Bound for Sound (Follow-Up)"In extended listening, the SE-100 MK2 continues to impress with its effortless dynamics and natural tonal balance. A true high-end performer at a fraction of the expected cost."
View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Audio Express"Together with the SM-70, the SE-100 MK2 represents the vanguard of affordable high-end amplification. The 100V rail design delivers headroom and authority that belie its modest price."
View Full Review (PDF)
MOSFET Power Amplifier
The SM-70 Pro has garnered acclaim from audio publications worldwide for its zero-feedback MOSFET design, exceptional imaging, and remarkable value.
★★★★★Dagogo"Monarchy Audio M24 DAC/Pre & SM-70 Pro solid-state monoblock amplifiers: The state of affordable high-end."
Jack Roberts, Dagogo.com View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★SoundStage!"The SM-70 Pro delivers a level of resolution and imaging precision that is frankly astonishing at this price. The zero-feedback MOSFET design produces a natural, grain-free midrange that recalls the finest tube amplifiers. Soundstaging is expansive and three-dimensional."
Ron View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Affordable Audio"A stunning value. The SM-70 Pro offers the kind of clarity and musical involvement typically reserved for amplifiers costing three to four times as much."
View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½Audio Express"The zero-feedback topology pays clear dividends in transient speed and inner detail. Paired with the right speakers, the SM-70 Pro creates a palpable sense of the recording space."
View Full Review (PDF)
MOSFET Power Amplifier — 160W/Ch
The SE-160 delivers 160 watts per channel of MOSFET muscle, bridging the gap between the refined SE-100 and the formidable SE-250 with warm, tube-like tonality.
★★★★★SoundStage!"C.C. Poon consistently produces amplifiers that boast tank-like power with single-ended-worthy finesse and excellent articulation — all in compact packages whose prices make most audiophiles do a double take. The Monarchy amps' imaging and soundstaging are champs."
Ken Micallef, SoundStage!, December 2003 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★★Stereo Times"High-Power Hybrid Monos Make Music! The SE-160s are very dimensional sounding amplifiers and throw a very wide soundstage with a good sense of depth and excellent placement of individual instruments and voices. The fact that the audiophile can tailor the amp's sound (by tube swapping) to match his taste and system characteristics is another very real benefit. The Monarchy SE-160 amplifiers are among a rare breed of products that can fool the listener into imagining he is witnessing a live musical event."
Frank Alles, Stereo Times, April 2001 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity"These guys have a much warmer sound than the SE-100 Deluxes. They may cost more, but I find them far more musical. Hilary Hahn's violin and orchestra sounded far more liquid than with the SE-100 Delux. C.C. Poon definitely has a good thing going with his products. In the right systems, his power amplifiers will deliver much pleasure."
Jason Victor Serinus, March 2004 View Full Review (PDF)
Hybrid Monoblock Power Amplifier — 250W/Ch
The SE-250 pairs a dual-triode tube input stage with MOSFET output for 250 watts of class-leading power, delivering SET-like bloom with effortless drive.
★★★★★Dagogo"The Monarchy SE-250 hybrid monoblock amplifiers are great amps when you need power. I find them quite attractive and well made. I think they are quite a bargain… they aren't that far behind world class, which amazes me at such a reasonable price for so much power."
Jack Roberts, Dagogo, December 2007 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity"Let's cut to the chase. I really like the sound of these amplifiers… The SE-250's single-ended, zero-feedback design lets the music blossom."
Jason Victor Serinus, June 2005 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity"The upgraded SE-250 is even more convincing… C.C. Poon's changes to the circuitry have made an already fine amplifier more musical."
Jason Victor Serinus, June 2006 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★HighFidelityReview"The Monarchy SE-250 monos offered a beautiful, natural midrange and superb bottom-end drive… a compelling alternative to the class-D H2O Signature 100."
HighFidelityReview, January 2008 View Full Review (PDF)
Power Conditioner
The AC-Regenerator has been honored with multiple awards and praised for its transformative effect on audio system performance.
★★★★★Stereo Times"The simple truth is that using the Monarchy Audio AC-Regenerator has opened my eyes to the need for supplying pure AC power to my source gear… After evaluating the Monarchy unit and hearing the extent of the improvements it affords, I'm convinced that its use is not an option—it's a necessity. The Monarchy AC Regenerator is now an integral part of my audio system; thank you very much!"
Frank Alles, Stereo Times, August 2006 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★½HighFidelityReview"My listening experiences show that the Monarchy AC Regenerator is capable of elevating the performance of every component that I have tried it with… If you are looking to take your system to the next level of sonic performance, then consider the quality of AC you are providing your stereo with. You may be pleasantly surprised at what improvements can be coaxed out of your current equipment."
John Hoffman, HighFidelityReview, March 2007 View Full Review (PDF)
★★★★Artisan Fidelity — Affordable Audio"An Affordable Audio review by John Hoffman explains how the AC regenerator works, detailing the AC Regenerator's unique two-stage toroidal transformer design and its ability to reconstruct a pure AC waveform from whatever comes out of the wall."
John Hoffman, Artisan Fidelity View Full Review (PDF)
