Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

Is the Liquid Fire also a DC coupled with no global feedback design? I assume so because it sounds like it. But in all the years I've owned it I've never known if it's no global feedback or not.

I got at Liquid Platinum delivered last Monday. Been enjoying it.

 

Went from couldn't wait for this to on the fence... Anyone want to push me back over the fence?

Edit 11/21 - And the $100 off coupon on page 18 has pushed me over the fence. My wallet cries.

 

Question about the included power brick. Is it universal 120v - 240v input?

 

From questions and answers section of the product page at monoprice:
"It has a globally universal supply (will work in EU and Australia), but a US plug. You only need a plug adapter to the wall outlet."

 

when they sell out and everyone's mother wants one , remind yourself about the fence

..dB

 

Surprised it doesn't just take an IEC lead.

 

There must be some (probably quite small) increase in cost for modular bricks. As an example, the Massdrop stuff will ship with the US plug molded directly into the power brick despite Massdrop promoting global sales and the plug being a frequent source if complaints.

 

Yeah, doubtless. Oh well, it's not hard to chop the plug off and install something suitable. I got brownie points for swapping the European plug from my partner's coffee grinder when she recovered it from points Nordic. It's not like most nerds can't deal with these things in a pinch.

 

The power brick does have a detachable power cord. It uses an IEC C7 non-polarized style cord that is common for laptop power supplies.

 

Oh, excellent. Job done. Thanks.

 

I've started some tube rolling with this amp. Just getting into it this evening. And let me just say this. You have not heard the best of the LP until you've rolled some nice NOS tubes, period. I thought the stock tubes were quite decent, but in truth they are holding back the potential of the amp. Now I'm not encouraging anyone to go out and spend a shit pot full of money on NOS tubes. But I will say that if you like the LP, you'll be remiss if you don't score a decent set of 6922's to roll.

I was expecting a modest improvement. It's more than that. I'll go into detail once I've had a chance to do some critical listening and comparisons.

Damn, I need a decent set of socket savers. Somebody hook me up, please.

 

Well, I lied. I'll give some early stream of consciousness impressions before I mull the changes over too much in my mind and f**k it up before I spit it out.

Two things. Stock vs NOS telefunkens

One...the staging is much improved. Biggest physical difference is that with NOS the staging is wider and to a lesser degree deeper. I really like this...a lot. It's just much more convincing and draws you into the experience. Listening to Muddy Waters: Folk Singer MFSL. Sounds emerge from blackness. Muddy's guitar licks are delicate and nimble. I can feel the reverb as his calloused fingers pluck the strings. I can listen to the way those sounds resonate inside the guitar and then the room. His voice is more dynamic and the subtlety of detail is effortless. IMO this is one of the best recordings ever made and I'm not sure that I've ever heard it sound this good or enjoyed it more.

Two...better tone. The stock tubes, comparatively, have a mild edge to them that detracts from my belief in the tone. It's just a little harsh which in effect makes it sounds somewhat unnatural. The tele's don't have any of that and I immediately believe the tone I'm hearing. This is where the detail comes pouring through.

 

Which headphones + dac was in this combo? Thanks for the impressions!

 

HD 650 with Gungnir Multibit a2 .

 

One last question - for those who have this and have/had a liquid crimson, are there any obviously audible differences (assuming same tubes, etc.). Let's ignore different versions of the liquid crimson for now as I haven't AB different versions before to clearly know the differences.

 

@atomicbob just cringed, because we are about to ask him for listening impressions again. Usually when asked, he flashes some new tech in his lab and says "Look at my new shiny everyone..."

 

I've really been enjoying this amp now. It's so smooth and a good pairing with the Utopias. Sorry for a little off-topic but which Cavalli amp is considered the best one from the previous models?

 

This will often come down to preferences. For me, the Liquid Glass is my favorite Cavalli and quite possible my favorite amp period.

 

Measurements are my forte. There are others here far better able to provide descriptive prose on the topic. I've learned that my preferences diverge considerably from some of the more vocal members. My preferences also shift with the specific music, mood, time of day, etc. Having a lab allows me privilege of changing up the setup to enjoy for a given session. The following amps are given most recreational listening time: ZDSE, Liquid Crimson / Liquid Platinum, Lyr3, ZDT Jr., BH Crack , Project Sunrise, roughly in that order. For dialog editing it is Lyr3 / Jotunheim.