Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Vtory, Apr 4, 2018.

  1. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    I would just have a grand time talking to Alex again if he's gonna be at CanJam. Thanks for this bit of information!!
     
  2. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    No, the stock power supply is a power brick. BUT... who knows what the future might bring
     
  3. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Lets wait until the amp is out and folks have had a listen before we start throwing money at linear power supplies that cost more than the amp (...yeah you were thinking it).
     
  4. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Can't wait for the inevitable LPS rolling thread.
     
  5. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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    [​IMG]
     
  6. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    Is that an older photo when Alex was showing off multiple prototypes at shows? That's the thing I remember, that this Monoprice amp might be...
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2018
  7. Junki

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    I’m not familiar with the photo you’re referring to. This photo was shared by a guy on Head-Fi in the context of CanJam SoCal and visual inspection of the photo shows that it is the Liquid Platinum Prototype version 1.07.
     
  8. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    I hate to ask, but link please?
     
  9. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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  10. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Dislike for you since you wanted one.

    Also Google..
     
  11. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    I heard the Liquid Platinum with my modded HD800... using my GO2A SE as source. I am already sourcing an LPS for it. (did ask for specs and all, I'm shameless like that)

    ...and I'm officially #1 on the purchase list, too.

    I almost wish this was just hype but nah, I honestly was impressed by the amp. Sounded like what I've always wanted.
     
  12. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Nice! Is there an amp out now that you find comparable in sonic character, Bill? I've got the MCTH and if this amp is that "house sound" but technically superior...I might just be #2.
     
  13. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    @Bill-P Would that be the HD800 with the super secret mods? :p

    How would you say this compares to the Lyr 3 (think you've heard it)? Comparisons to the HP-V1 would also be helpful if your memory stretches that far back, haha. I'm automatically assuming the Platinum handily beats the Fostex amp in sheer technicalities, but wondering about tonality.
     
  14. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Hm... Aficionado, Studio, THX AAA or Neurochrome HP1, it's somewhere within those in terms of technicality. But with stock MCTH tonality (but with gobs more air, like... significantly more, think +1000% air). Or at least that's how I heard it anyway. Stock tubes used were 2x Electro-Harmonix 6922 and you can read what I thought about that one in the MCTH thread.

    Nah, my memory sux, man. Sorry!!! :(

    Lyr 3... I honestly did not like at all. It's a bit warmer and fuzzier, but still has a pretty aggressive, in-my-and-yo-face sound that I don't quite like (especially with an HD800 and you can see why!). Also the soundstage was lacking. I'm guessing it was because of the multibit DAC module inside, and I need to check it out again on something else, but... I honestly found it a bit disappointing, to be honest, after reading a lot of positive impressions on it.

    But yeah, Liquid Platinum's technicality to my ears far exceeds the price range. If MCTH can already punch above its weight, then Liquid Platinum did even more of that.

    Now here's hoping that wasn't a one-time show special thing and that the final sound will be something closer to that. Maybe I can use a bit smoother upper mid, but that's my preference speaking. Objectively speaking, I found that amp to be like a perfect fit for HD800: tight, uber clean, smooth, resolving, neutral, and slightly calming/refined. It wasn't just aggressiveness for the sake of being "technical." It was a very... effortless kind of technical sound, if that makes sense.

    This may sound cliché but it was like... a tour de force of what would happen when you have a proper hybrid tube amp design.
     
  15. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I'm going to guess you tried it with the new TS tube, and I'll confirm that, yes, the internal MB card sucks for staging. Clearly audible vs Modi Multibit staging.

    Sorry to derail thread.

    Do we have any idea what kind of power tolerances the LP has for tube rolling? Can you deviate up/down on heater V much?
     
  16. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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    Jesus...

    Brb as I throw my credit cards at Platinum's Monoprice page PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY NOW PLEASE
     
  17. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Yeah, I didn't take a good look at the tube but that seems to be the case.

    Staging was like... very tunnel-like even with HD800. It had decent depth but width was very severely compressed to the point where I almost lost stereo imaging with some songs. I mentioned this in the CanJam thread. But anyway, that's probably for the Lyr 3 thread. I'm avoiding writing anything definitive now because I think I should check Lyr 3 again on a better overall setup. We'll see.

    Anyway, I know LP has a 36V power supply. Up from 28V with MCTH. According to Alex, he's feeding the amp a lot of power just because. Should have asked him about tube rolling options, but we know at least all 6922 compatible/equivalent tubes should work.
     
  18. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    it's clear the glorious @Bill-P has found his ears a synergy with his modded HD800 and Liquid Platinum.

    why would you ass-u-me the same high-end amp purchase would rock the same synergy with your Sundara or Elex or HD6xx ?
     
  19. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    ^ LOL

    Yeah, don't take my words as gospel. I'm just another dude on the forums.

    Most of my stuffs are heavily modded one way or another (if it's not already apparent) and may or may not sound like anything else on the market, so... that's that.

    But having said that, based on what I heard of Liquid Platinum, I think... they would have done well with Clear and HD6XX. Generally anything dark and bassy, as the LP kinda has this Ultra Clarity Plus (TM) filter thing going on. Should have just forced my way through with an Elex and hogged LP on the second day but too many people wanted to listen to it. I almost never saw the LP without a listener.

    And the funny thing is... Alex didn't even bring out the LP until I asked for it on Saturday. The casing wasn't finished to his liking so he didn't want it out on the table.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Because he thinks this is HF - without considering or understanding longtime members' personal preferences.
     

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