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Jule Amps Monique part 5
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Are you talking about stand-alone power amps, or the integrated preamp/poweramp? If the former, I don't think that's out yet. If the latter, that would be the Monique 700. Previous to that, the integrated amps were called DeMonique (Demeter + Monique) and used a module supplied to Jule by James Demeter (of Demeter Amps fame). The standalone poweramp version of that is called Minnie (sold by Demeter), and there are several players around here running a Monique + Minnie combo, particularly with the dovecage version of Monique.
I haven't played a Monique 700 or a Monique + Minnie/DeMonique, so I can't properly answer your question. I have played Monique through the effects return of a Demeter amp that uses the same power module as the Minnie -- and it's impressive -- but I don't know that that's exactly the same (and I still wouldn't be able to compare it with the 700).
Yes.
But, my curiosity was mainly between DeMonique and Monique 700 as I picked up from the thread that the separate 700 watt power amp is not out yet. I would expect the comparison between both Monique-based integrated amps to be equal to a comparison of the Minnie and the separate 700 amp driven by a Monique pre.
Given all of the threads supporting the idea that you can't hear the difference between two modern flat-frequency response power amps operating within their stated specs, it will be interesting to see how the DeMonique and Monique 700 are compared.
I haven't had the pleasure of playing any of them, but tempted to add one to the bucket list.
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I have heard the Monique with the 5 and 900 watt smaller ice Modules. I just listened the Larger 1000 watt ice module
and it sounds much nicer. The Monique 700 sounds really amazing and much improved subjectively over the smaller
ice units. I feel the 1000 watt ice and the Hypex module are in the same ballpark with my preference being the Hypex.
The Monique 700 is just a remarkable combination of warmth, speed, depth and slam.
and it sounds much nicer. The Monique 700 sounds really amazing and much improved subjectively over the smaller
ice units. I feel the 1000 watt ice and the Hypex module are in the same ballpark with my preference being the Hypex.
The Monique 700 is just a remarkable combination of warmth, speed, depth and slam.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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A power amp by Jule is the only thing that's given me any twinge of gear desire in over 2 years. The last piece of gear I bought was my Monique...It's so right, that I'd be willing to say that a power unit designed by him would really be the ideal compliment to drive your cabs. I also believe that there's been so much player feedback in the past couple years, that Jule probably knows exactly what needs to happen to make the perfect 'mate' power stage.
In reading through many of the pages, it looks like the Hypex amp is overbuilt so I would expect it to hold up really well at the extreme limits of its operating parameters. I wouldn't be at all surprised for it to be impossible to distinguish between the Minnie and the Hypex amps in a double blind test...unless one/both of these amps is intentionally voiced.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
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I'm guessing that the real difference between these will be in transient response, response to the deep lows, etc. That's the stuff that sets power amps apart.
Found a new setting with a certain fretless fiver:
Bass - 10:30-11:00
Mids - 1:00-1:30
Treble - 2:00
Sensitivity - 2:00, pulled out.
A departure from my usual "close to flat, Sensitivity pulled out and at 10:30." Sounded boomy and too smoothed-over with my usual settings (that I like with my EMG-loaded P/J). Turning the sensitivity up that high changed the feel in a way I'm not used to -- I suspect it wouldn't be my thing with the P/J, but it works with the fretless. More hair, more growl. A pretty thick but well-defined tone. Not lacking in bass to my ear, though the emphasis is more on low-mids than low-lows.
Bass - 10:30-11:00
Mids - 1:00-1:30
Treble - 2:00
Sensitivity - 2:00, pulled out.
A departure from my usual "close to flat, Sensitivity pulled out and at 10:30." Sounded boomy and too smoothed-over with my usual settings (that I like with my EMG-loaded P/J). Turning the sensitivity up that high changed the feel in a way I'm not used to -- I suspect it wouldn't be my thing with the P/J, but it works with the fretless. More hair, more growl. A pretty thick but well-defined tone. Not lacking in bass to my ear, though the emphasis is more on low-mids than low-lows.
There is absolutely a not subtle difference in the small ice module (no matter how well implemented) and the Hypex or 1000 watt ice.
I noticed more extended low end , more 3d midrange and sweeter more extended hi end not to mention increased headroom and explosive dynamic reserves . I had Mike Arnapole over last weekend and heard the 1000 watt Ice and it is quite a step up from the 500 or 900 watt models. I critical listen all day for my day job and the Monique is almost a different beast with the Hypex.
I noticed more extended low end , more 3d midrange and sweeter more extended hi end not to mention increased headroom and explosive dynamic reserves . I had Mike Arnapole over last weekend and heard the 1000 watt Ice and it is quite a step up from the 500 or 900 watt models. I critical listen all day for my day job and the Monique is almost a different beast with the Hypex.
Those are pretty much the same settings that I'm running with my Ric with the same end result. Loving it.
As bass tends to be very power hungry, I would expect this to be the case. Also, you hinted that different implementation of a common Ice module also makes a difference. From my understanding multiple companies use the same Ice module as the Minnie and they each have their own unique sonic qualities and power cycles because of differences in implementation. Because of this, saying you compared the Hypex to several Ice modules doesn't really give a very clear picture of how the Hypex based Monique 700 compares to the DeMonique. Other's have commented on playing Monique into various Ice based amps and noted some of the resultant sonic qualities comes from circuitry that exists between where they plug into the amp and the Ice power section. This circuitry could consist of the entire front end of the amp to include volume, tone, compression, etc, or just include a buffer circuit that follows the effects return.
You have made it very clear that the Hypex based Monique 700 is awesome. However, I am interested in a specific comparison between the Monique 700 and DeMonique because down the road these two phenomenal creations will ultimately hit the used market and I would prefer to know the benefits of each so I only have to buy once.
I think Mike Arnopol just had the DeMonique and the Larger 1000 watt ice Module back to back and heard the same effect I experienced with the Hypex.
He noticed a sweet extension in the high frequencies, clearer midrange and more powerful clear extended bass. I had the big Ice module over here in my studio
and it is closer to the hypex than any small ice implementation. No matter what you do to the power supply or with transformers i don't think you can equal the playing field after using the more powerful modules. Both units in question are used in uber HiFi products and simply have less distortion and more even frequency response.
He noticed a sweet extension in the high frequencies, clearer midrange and more powerful clear extended bass. I had the big Ice module over here in my studio
and it is closer to the hypex than any small ice implementation. No matter what you do to the power supply or with transformers i don't think you can equal the playing field after using the more powerful modules. Both units in question are used in uber HiFi products and simply have less distortion and more even frequency response.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Of course, 'implementation' is also why people aren't just shoving amp modules in whatever preamp they have sitting at home. I really believe there are plenty of design choices being made that affect the tonal product.
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Indeed, I think these two modules will put the whole Class D debate to bed once folks get to experience them in a well-integrated design. It's hard to do a direct A/B because there are a lot of choices the designer needs to make with the integration (buffer on or bypassed, balanced or unbalanced, transformer coupling options, optimization of the preamp circuitry driving them, etc.), but if you remove all that from the equation, performance should be the same other than differences in output power, which become more subtle when you move into higher power levels like these with quality amplification. Good stuff!
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This is all cool to hear as I have honestly always believed power is power is power... I.e. my $279 Crest, a $7000 McIntosh or any other tube or SS power amp will sound the same provided output is apples to apples.
My Minnie does sound a bit better than my Crest 2.0, but not substantially. I have 2 Moniques and I spent a good amount of time A/Bing 2 Moniques with different power sources.
My Minnie does sound a bit better than my Crest 2.0, but not substantially. I have 2 Moniques and I spent a good amount of time A/Bing 2 Moniques with different power sources.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Power IS power...but that's assuming that there's nothing else in the box.
And there always IS something in the box...because how things hit the stage and how the stage handles the signal may be different, especially once you start getting to the 'boundaries' of what the units can do.
Here are some videos of Front Porch Rodeo from our gig this past Saturday, enjoy! Monique killed as always.
"That is the best preamp I have ever heard. Has endless headroom and makes my job easy"- Kevin Lovelady (Sound guy for Water Wheel, also used to be the FOH engineer for THE Lynyrd Skynyrd!).
Rig: Spectorcore>Monique>Dr Bass 2060 & Epifani UL 210 S2
"That is the best preamp I have ever heard. Has endless headroom and makes my job easy"- Kevin Lovelady (Sound guy for Water Wheel, also used to be the FOH engineer for THE Lynyrd Skynyrd!).
Rig: Spectorcore>Monique>Dr Bass 2060 & Epifani UL 210 S2
I haven't bought a thing since Monique and I would concur on Jule's proven ability to deliver, in high quality, what we bassists need, want and like.
I've bought a couple of backup amps and then end up selling them. Right now I have an EBS preamp pedal for emergency back and Monique goes on every gig.
So I pulled the trigger on a Monique 700 Tardis - delivery in the (hopefully near) future. A question for the experienced 700 users - will I still need my Darkglass pedal to add some grit to my sound? A couple of bands/projects I'm in are definitely more vintage sounding so I like to add a little dirt to keep with the vintage vibe. I'm currently using a Walter Woods Ultra which is a great sounding amp but very clean and modern - doesn't sound right in those contexts on it's own.
