Jeffmeh, Yes I use flac. As for sound pressure levels, I don't have a scientific way of measuring it. I didn't change volume levels between comparisons (they sounded pretty much equal although I perceive the Monarchy's tone as "darker" in the mids and highs). I did my best on that score but in the end this isn't a scientific test, it's one person's opinion...I don't claim it is more.
If it helps the differences I've heard were apparent at middle and loud volumes. Anne, You read it right, in that I did change my mind over time. My point is that, at first, I wanted the SB to sound as good. But in the end, after a more lengthy comparison, I've changed my opinion and now I feel the Monarchy sounds better. Let me explain what I am NOT saying. I am not saying the SBv3 as a transport sounds bad. It doesn't! It's just that I hear the Monarchy sounds better overall - but I should say the Monarchy has sounded better than several other CD transports I tried at the time of purchase and since. So, also, I am not saying anything about SBv3 versus CD transports in general. I can only talk about my transport. I don't know the reasons and I would be more than happy for advice on tweaks or possible solutions to make the SBv3 sound better as a transport. Also, if anyone else has a different experience to me I would like to hear it. I want to get the SBv3 sounding the best I can in my set up, and I am open to all ideas no matter how "crazy" since I gave up long ago trying to figure out why digital audio is such a black art. More opinions are important since as you've pointed out there might be a flaw in my test or some weirdness in my system which changes the result. However, I have been quite honest about what I hear in my set up. Thanks, Darren -- darrenyeats ------------------------------------------------------------------------ darrenyeats's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10799 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=33276 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
