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. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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    My excitement over this amp isn't only based on Bill's impressions with his HD800. His general description of "it's a MCTH with far better clarity, and does remind me a lot of a super clean Liquid Crimson, minus the slight aggressiveness" is also a strong signal to me. For my own reasons, I've long had relatively high confidence in Bill's tastes, due to lurking, reading impressions elsewhere, and kind of putting the pieces in my head together. Thirdly, I've already been discussing and expressing excitement for this amp over PMs for a while now.

    I'm just glibly expressing my excitement over this product. Ultimately, I never know how I'll actually like it until I try it. And I'm about 120% ready to try it.
     
  2. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Thanks, @Bill-P! Err. That kinda complicates my plans to get one mid-tier amp before going for the big uns, wish there were an easier way to demo all these. Appreciate the impressions though. And no worries, wasn't expecting anyone's memory to be that good, haha.

    Hmm. Call me a heathen but hybrid tube design seems right up my alley (sonics wise). Best of both worlds kinda? Not a fan of the Platinum's aesthetic but if it sounds all that good then I'm buying it and hiding it away in a ventilated cardboard box.
     
  3. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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    You're right. I'm dumb. I thought this was HF.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
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    LOL, didn't the admins bring back dislikes specifically for you?
     
  5. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Thinking that "Noise generator" might be a perfect tag for him..

    Anyway, I like how Bill disliked lyr 3. Of course there are a bunch of confounders, but his tonal description kinda sounds like an alternative expression of something which is linked to my personal liking. I do disagree with staging though (Like Elnrik said, mb module might be responsible) ... but I can't say anything for sure for hd800 haha (its staging width was overly exaggerated to my ears.. so maybe I like hd800+lyr 3).

    Just waiting for upcoming loaner program for LP!
     
  6. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    @Junki do yourself a favour man and do what it is you claim to do so much - lurk.

    Just a guess but I suspect you’re on the cusp of being banned. Just hang out dude and read.
     
  7. elwappo99

    elwappo99 Friend

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    I posted some pics in the SoCal canjam thread for this unit.

    I also chatted up Alex and the two gents from Monoprice. If there's enough interest, they said they would be willing to get a loaner going.
     
  8. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    [​IMG]

    My first impression on LP's design was quite negative (like many others).. but @elwappo99 's photo slightly changed my mind 'hmm, it's not that ugly.. maybe...'. Still think it's a bit aesthetically challenging though.
     
  9. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I'm also pretty certain that the unit in that photo is using a prototype chasis so it should look more polished in its final form.
     
  10. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    If the sound is really that good for that price I don’t care if the design looks like two dicks touching tips.
     
  11. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    New golden schlong design
     
  12. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    To anyone that’s seen it in person. Any estimate on the dimensions?

    Very interested in giving this amp a try this summer. The design might not be the most beautiful, but the real thing actually looks a bit better than I expected.
     
  13. BillOhio

    BillOhio Friend

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    8-9" wide by 10-11" deep maybe, give or take an inch. It's not huge.
     
  14. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    This is a wooden enclosure crafted as a last ditch attempt to get the amp on the table - the production unit will be extruded alu and fit snugly with the front face plate , overall aesthetic is similar.

    ..dB
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Definitely loaner. Want to take the lead on this as the official SBAF rep? I mean, we can definitely set funds aside for this if necessary to get the ball rolling.

    In the meantime, we need to get an LPS ready for it.
     
  16. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Would an lm317 work or going for something more elaborate?
     
  17. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Did Alex ever publish DIY LPS designs like he did for amps? Would an AMB S11 be appropriate?
     
  18. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I could provide an Acopian A36MT230 or A36MT400 if either has sufficient power. Won't be in a kid / pet / etc. friendly case though.
     
  19. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    It's still that ugly. I have to wonder the thought process, so many classy industrial designs out in amp-world and this thing looks like it a prop in a bad 60's sci-fi flick.

    ----------edited for piss-poor spelling-------------
     
  20. Mdkaler

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    Plugged in my 6xxKB for like 5 minutes, and I really like this amp! Liquid Platinum exceeds the Jot in bass with more power and sustain, the texture is very good and I like it slow. Yeah.

    Treble is satisfying with the 6xx as well. Definitely piercing the veil here. Guess that's the 1000% better air that Bill described. Aye there's the rub. The venue was loud, so I wasn't able to tell how good or bad the mid range is. Overall it is very clean and easy to listen to. Addicting actually. I might still prefer the spatial presentation of the Sagaheim PR, but everything else I probably prefer the LP. Looking forward to the loaner.

    Talked to Alex, and I think there are only 3 LP produced so far. So loaner may not start immediately, but will eventually come true. Also, the doctor said hi, Marv.

    Edit: oh the THX dac isn't the best pairing I should add.
     

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