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TattyBear | Staff 18.1K Views
Sep 2, 2022 2:50 PM

Monoprice Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier w/ 887 Technology

$170

$300

43% off
+ Free Shippingat Monoprice
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Deal Details
Monoprice has Monoprice Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier w/ 887 Technology for $169.99 when you apply promo code STARS in cart. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Hunter TattyBear for finding this deal.

Features:
  • The THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA) ensures the ultimate headphone audio experience by delivering fidelity audio with low levels of noise, distortion, and power consumption.
  • The amplifier features three different gain settings for optimal compatibility with all headphones. The lowest gain setting is the most appropriate for sensitive IEMs
  • Balanced and single-ended inputs: The amplifier features an XLR balanced input, plus 1/4in and 3.5mm single ended inputs to eliminate the need for adapters
  • High grade CNC-milled aluminum with black anodized finish chassis material

Editor's Notes

Written by oceanlake
  • About this deal:
    • This price matches a recent Frontpage Deal.
    • See the forum thread for additional deal discussion and audio advice from Slickdeals members.
  • About this store:
    • Details of Monoprice's return policy here.

Original Post

Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Monoprice has Monoprice Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier w/ 887 Technology for $169.99 when you apply promo code STARS in cart. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Hunter TattyBear for finding this deal.

Features:
  • The THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA) ensures the ultimate headphone audio experience by delivering fidelity audio with low levels of noise, distortion, and power consumption.
  • The amplifier features three different gain settings for optimal compatibility with all headphones. The lowest gain setting is the most appropriate for sensitive IEMs
  • Balanced and single-ended inputs: The amplifier features an XLR balanced input, plus 1/4in and 3.5mm single ended inputs to eliminate the need for adapters
  • High grade CNC-milled aluminum with black anodized finish chassis material

Editor's Notes

Written by oceanlake
  • About this deal:
    • This price matches a recent Frontpage Deal.
    • See the forum thread for additional deal discussion and audio advice from Slickdeals members.
  • About this store:
    • Details of Monoprice's return policy here.

Original Post

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42 Comments

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Pro
Sep 2, 2022 8:46 PM
3.5K Comments
Joined Sep 2016
vid1900
Pro
Sep 2, 2022 8:46 PM
3.5K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

https://www.audiosciencereview.com /forum/index.php?threads/monoprice-monolith-thx-887-balance-headphone-amp-new-champ.8942/

(remove space for full review and measurements)

One of the best headphone amps of all time!

An **endgame** product.
2
1
Sep 2, 2022 10:17 PM
577 Comments
Joined Dec 2016
fvp1992Sep 2, 2022 10:17 PM
577 Comments
Any recommended monoprice speaker amp/receivers?
1
Sep 2, 2022 10:29 PM
220 Comments
Joined Nov 2010
filename.exeSep 2, 2022 10:29 PM
220 Comments
Quote from vid1900 View quoted comment :
https://www.audiosciencereview.com /forum/index.php?threads/monoprice-monolith-thx-887-balance-headphone-amp-new-champ.8942/

(remove space for full review and measurements)

One of the best headphone amps of all time!

An **endgame** product.
Thanks!! That review was pretty gung ho about it!

I've been wondering what an amp will bring me and had good usage from a $20 one.

Hopefully I don't become an audiophile tho! I'm enough of a videophile to find enough faults while enjoying film! 😅
Sep 2, 2022 10:39 PM
2.5K Comments
Joined Feb 2005
DarnCrazySep 2, 2022 10:39 PM
2.5K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from filename.exe View quoted comment :
Thanks!! That review was pretty gung ho about it!

I've been wondering what an amp will bring me and had good usage from a $20 one.

Hopefully I don't become an audiophile tho! I'm enough of a videophile to find enough faults while enjoying film! 😅
Best advice I've been given by several audiophiles; try other headphones before investing heavily in dac/amps. If you have headphones you love already, then by all means go for the amp. However, If you haven't tried various types of headphones or in-ear-monitors, that might be worth exploring first.
1
Sep 2, 2022 10:50 PM
220 Comments
Joined Nov 2010
filename.exeSep 2, 2022 10:50 PM
220 Comments
Quote from DarnCrazy View quoted comment :
Best advice I've been given by several audiophiles; try other headphones before investing heavily in dac/amps. If you have headphones you love already, then by all means go for the amp. However, If you haven't tried various types of headphones or in-ear-monitors, that might be worth exploring first.
Oh man! That's good to think about, thanks!

And I honestly don't want to become an audiophile. 😅

I did jump on some Superlux AKG knockoff deal and enjoyed those, so I moved over to an open back AKG K702 for work and a closed AKG 550 for my media (since it doesn't get too hot over short periods). I like the thick bass and mids with not too sharp highs.

I won't put money into in-ear buds just since those give me a quick headache with the pressure, also a reason for me to look at open-backs.

If I were to get another set of open backs for my cinema/game room what would you recommend that typically goes on a good sale? 🤓
Sep 2, 2022 11:04 PM
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Joined Feb 2005
DarnCrazySep 2, 2022 11:04 PM
2.5K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from filename.exe View quoted comment :
Oh man! That's good to think about, thanks!

And I honestly don't want to become an audiophile. 😅

I did jump on some Superlux AKG knockoff deal and enjoyed those, so I moved over to an open back AKG K702 for work and a closed AKG 550 for my media (since it doesn't get too hot over short periods). I like the thick bass and mids with not too sharp highs.

I won't put money into in-ear buds just since those give me a quick headache with the pressure, also a reason for me to look at open-backs.

If I were to get another set of open backs for my cinema/game room what would you recommend that typically goes on a good sale? 🤓
I hate to give the typical answer of HD 58X Jubilees from Massdrop (Drop.com) [drop.com] but frankly, those are some great value open back headphones. I prefer them over my Hifiman open HE-400 by a large margin since they offer clarity while still being "fun" headphones to listen to. If you can grab them on sale, then HD58x are a solid buy. The downside is the cheap plastic headband isn't durable from what I've read. I've been careful with them so it hasn't been an issue, but something to be aware of.

1
Sep 2, 2022 11:14 PM
220 Comments
Joined Nov 2010
filename.exeSep 2, 2022 11:14 PM
220 Comments
Quote from DarnCrazy View quoted comment :
I hate to give the typical answer of HD 58X Jubilees from Massdrop (Drop.com) [drop.com] but frankly, those are some great value open back headphones. I prefer them over my Hifiman open HE-400 by a large margin since they offer clarity while still being "fun" headphones to listen to. If you can grab them on sale, then HD58x are a solid buy. The downside is the cheap plastic headband isn't durable from what I've read. I've been careful with them so it hasn't been an issue, but something to be aware of.
Heh, no worries, if that's the gold standard, it's the gold standard. 🤓

And thanks! I've set up an alert for the HD 58x and will consider biting when it hits $129 again.

Thanks again!

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Pro
Sep 2, 2022 11:24 PM
3.5K Comments
Joined Sep 2016
vid1900
Pro
Sep 2, 2022 11:24 PM
3.5K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from filename.exe View quoted comment :
Oh man! That's good to think about, thanks!

And I honestly don't want to become an audiophile. 😅

I did jump on some Superlux AKG knockoff deal and enjoyed those, so I moved over to an open back AKG K702 for work and a closed AKG 550 for my media (since it doesn't get too hot over short periods). I like the thick bass and mids with not too sharp highs.

I won't put money into in-ear buds just since those give me a quick headache with the pressure, also a reason for me to look at open-backs.

If I were to get another set of open backs for my cinema/game room what would you recommend that typically goes on a good sale? 🤓
The greatest deal on an incredible set of cans has to be the Sennheiser HD-6xx from Drop. It's been going on sale back to pre-pandemic pricing of $199

https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

Most people would be happy for the rest of their lives with these cans, and this amp has the balls to easily drive it's 300ohm load with authority

Every audiophile has a pair of these, they are THE reference standard
2
Sep 2, 2022 11:28 PM
220 Comments
Joined Nov 2010
filename.exeSep 2, 2022 11:28 PM
220 Comments
Quote from vid1900 View quoted comment :
The greatest deal on an incredible set of cans has to be the Sennheiser HD-6xx from Drop. It's been going on sale back to pre-pandemic pricing of $199

https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

Most people would be happy for the rest of their lives with these cans, and this amp has the balls to easily drive it's 300ohm load with authority

Every audiophile has a pair of these, they are THE reference standard
Oh no! You said "reference standard".

Would these still be considered "fun" enough if I prefer the thicker bass and mids that the AKGs provide with minimal sharp highs?

I've tried other reference headphones in the past and they're too hollow, dry, flat, tingy, if that makes sense.
Pro
Sep 3, 2022 12:22 AM
3.5K Comments
Joined Sep 2016
vid1900
Pro
Sep 3, 2022 12:22 AM
3.5K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

The hd6xx are not the best selling audiophile headphones because they are dry.

They are the best because they are lush sounding, and fatigue free.

Any time someone tells you they don't have enough bass, they always say they plugged them into their phone or computer. And of course neither of those sources has enough jism to drive a 300ohm load. Sound comes out, but hardly any low end.

As time goes on, the one set of cans you never sell are the 6xx or 650s.
2
1
Sep 3, 2022 1:34 AM
4.2K Comments
Joined Nov 2006
dcpoorSep 3, 2022 1:34 AM
4.2K Comments
HD6xx and HD58x are different sound signature side-grades to the K702 IMHO. It's a good idea to listen to them all at some point in your audio journey. Smilie
I still own 2 K701s, 2 Q701s, 1 HD650(at one point I had 3 of these, lol), 1 HD6xx, 1 HD600, 1 HD58x, 1 HD580 Frown
1
1
Sep 3, 2022 1:38 AM
62 Comments
Joined Mar 2008
MatthewKSep 3, 2022 1:38 AM
62 Comments
Will this improve the sound of my awesome PW-B52MA headphones? I already have HD6xx and Mod House Argon Mk2 headphones, but what I really want to improve is my PW-B52MA.
Last edited by MatthewK September 2, 2022 at 07:07 PM.
1
Sep 3, 2022 4:28 AM
220 Comments
Joined Nov 2010
filename.exeSep 3, 2022 4:28 AM
220 Comments
Quote from vid1900 View quoted comment :
The hd6xx are not the best selling audiophile headphones because they are dry.

They are the best because they are lush sounding, and fatigue free.

Any time someone tells you they don't have enough bass, they always say they plugged them into their phone or computer. And of course neither of those sources has enough jism to drive a 300ohm load. Sound comes out, but hardly any low end.

As time goes on, the one set of cans you never sell are the 6xx or 650s.
Oh!! Ok! Damn, maybe I was missing an amp all along. Let me rethink my attitude towards reference headphones, since you're right: it was often off Macs or phones, and DAWs were used in film class, with pretty neutral source files iirc.

Thanks!! I'll consider the 6xx and 650s as well! Smilie Setting up deal alerts now. 🤓
Sep 3, 2022 4:31 AM
220 Comments
Joined Nov 2010
filename.exeSep 3, 2022 4:31 AM
220 Comments
Quote from dcpoor View quoted comment :
HD6xx and HD58x are different sound signature side-grades to the K702 IMHO. It's a good idea to listen to them all at some point in your audio journey. Smilie
I still own 2 K701s, 2 Q701s, 1 HD650(at one point I had 3 of these, lol), 1 HD6xx, 1 HD600, 1 HD58x, 1 HD580 Frown
Thanks for picking up the "sound signature" I was talking about!

Damn, given your wide range of headphones, do you have any specific recommendations towards better open backs than the K702?

And would it benefit me to move towards reference headphones given my pretty auditory preferences?

Edit:

Oh man, or is this just an overall hot topic? 😅

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphon...ni_review/
Last edited by filename.exe September 2, 2022 at 09:45 PM.

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Sep 3, 2022 6:23 AM
1.8K Comments
Joined Dec 2013
JeffJ9000Sep 3, 2022 6:23 AM
1.8K Comments
Quote from DarnCrazy View quoted comment :
Best advice I've been given by several audiophiles; try other headphones before investing heavily in dac/amps. If you have headphones you love already, then by all means go for the amp. However, If you haven't tried various types of headphones or in-ear-monitors, that might be worth exploring first.
Yep. Get to a canjam if possible.
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