I have an NM24 DAC. Almost a year and a half ago I installed new tubes and replaced the two output coupling caps with Mundorf Supreme Silver Oil caps. The fresh tubes made a welcome difference immediately, as the installed tubes clearly were tired. Then about three months ago I noticed the Mundorf caps beginning to blossom into their own. It has taken probably 200 hours of use over the past year for the caps to break in. And the resulting sound is absolutely wonderful, sweet, meaty, harmonically rich and complex, more timbrally accurate, and more real and “in the room.” The difference is astounding. If I could have a do-over, I would play the DAC with the old tubes for two weeks ‘round the clock to let the caps break in.
My DAC also happily sits on an FIM rollerblock stand, which is no longer available, but which is, I believe, similar to the Symposium stand.
So +1 for everything the previous posters stated. I am not familiar with the LKS unit. I am certain you will like the Monarchy though, especially with the Mundorf caps. In my experience a very good PC and interconnects make audible improvements as well.
My digital player/ streamer is set up to convert 192/176 files and higher to 96/88. Invariably the higher sampling rates are audibly superior to, say, 44.1/16 bit files heard through the Monarchy.
Hope this helps. Best of luck whichever way you decide to go.
My DAC also happily sits on an FIM rollerblock stand, which is no longer available, but which is, I believe, similar to the Symposium stand.
So +1 for everything the previous posters stated. I am not familiar with the LKS unit. I am certain you will like the Monarchy though, especially with the Mundorf caps. In my experience a very good PC and interconnects make audible improvements as well.
My digital player/ streamer is set up to convert 192/176 files and higher to 96/88. Invariably the higher sampling rates are audibly superior to, say, 44.1/16 bit files heard through the Monarchy.
Hope this helps. Best of luck whichever way you decide to go.