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expiredBrianZ9975 posted Mar 2, 2024 12:42 AM

Monolith by Monoprice Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

$33

$130

74% off
+ Free Shippingat eBay
69 Comments
30.5K Views
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Deal Details
Monoprice via eBay has Monolith Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli (33304) on sale for $32.49. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member BrianZ9975 for finding this deal.

Alternatively, you can buy more for an additional discount:
  • Qty 2 $61.72 ($30.87 each)
  • Qty 3 $91.62 ($30.54 each)
  • Qty 4 $120.84 ($30.22 each)
Monoprice via Target also has Monolith Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli (33304) on sale for $32.49. Shipping is free w/ redcard or on orders $35+.

Specs:
  • Dimensions: 4.6" x 3.7" x 1.5" (117 x 94 x 38 mm)
  • Weight: 9.6 oz. (271g)
  • Headphone Output: Unbalanced stereo 1/4" TRS jack
  • Preamp Output: Unbalanced stereo RCA jacks
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 108dB (ref. 1 Vrms input / 2 Vrms output @ 1kHz)
  • Crosstalk: –73dB (ref. 1 Vrms input / 2 Vrms output @ 10kHz)
  • Output Impedance: < 0.1 ohms
  • Gain: +3dB or +6dB
  • Input: Unbalanced stereo RCA
  • Output Protection: Delay and offset protection

Editor's Notes

Written by citan359 | Staff
  • About this deal:
  • About this product:
    • 1 year replacement warranty only
  • About this store:
    • Seller Monoprice has a 99.1% Positive feedback rating w/ over 1.2 million items sold
    • You can view eBay's Return Policy here.
    • Sign-up for Target RedCard to save an additional 5%, receive free shipping, and attain an extended return period.
  • Additional Note:
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by BrianZ9975
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Monoprice via eBay has Monolith Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli (33304) on sale for $32.49. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member BrianZ9975 for finding this deal.

Alternatively, you can buy more for an additional discount:
  • Qty 2 $61.72 ($30.87 each)
  • Qty 3 $91.62 ($30.54 each)
  • Qty 4 $120.84 ($30.22 each)
Monoprice via Target also has Monolith Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli (33304) on sale for $32.49. Shipping is free w/ redcard or on orders $35+.

Specs:
  • Dimensions: 4.6" x 3.7" x 1.5" (117 x 94 x 38 mm)
  • Weight: 9.6 oz. (271g)
  • Headphone Output: Unbalanced stereo 1/4" TRS jack
  • Preamp Output: Unbalanced stereo RCA jacks
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 108dB (ref. 1 Vrms input / 2 Vrms output @ 1kHz)
  • Crosstalk: –73dB (ref. 1 Vrms input / 2 Vrms output @ 10kHz)
  • Output Impedance: < 0.1 ohms
  • Gain: +3dB or +6dB
  • Input: Unbalanced stereo RCA
  • Output Protection: Delay and offset protection

Editor's Notes

Written by citan359 | Staff
  • About this deal:
  • About this product:
    • 1 year replacement warranty only
  • About this store:
    • Seller Monoprice has a 99.1% Positive feedback rating w/ over 1.2 million items sold
    • You can view eBay's Return Policy here.
    • Sign-up for Target RedCard to save an additional 5%, receive free shipping, and attain an extended return period.
  • Additional Note:
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by BrianZ9975

Community Voting

Deal Score
+52
Good Deal
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Top Comments

BeigeRoad455
713Comments
2KReputation
This is a good price for those looking for a headphone amp on a very tight budget. Its performance was acceptable, though not high end, back when it released almost six years ago. In terms of measurements it is far inferior to most modern headphone amps, but for $32 it provides an excellent value. Realistically speaking, in most real world circumstances the actual difference in audio quality for the end user will be relatively minimal compared to amps costing more than twice as much. It also provides more than sufficient power at standard listening volumes for the majority of headphones available on the market. I've heard some people have had problems with channel imbalance on this amp, so be aware.

Here's the audiosciencereview for this amp from 2018: https://www.audiosciencereview.co...-amp.5224/
Hopefully at some point slickdeals fixed their link shortening breaking links to audiosciencereview, if slickdeals broke the link either manually replace the garbage characters with slashes, or just google "monoprice liquid spark audiosciencereview".

This is an unbalanced headphone amplifier with rca inputs (and rca premp outputs) on the back, you will need a dac with unbalanced outputs to connect to this amp. Most high quality dacs will cost more than twice the cost of this headphone amp, the best value option I'm aware of (but I'm sort of out of date on the current market, so do your own research) is the SMSL SU-1 for ~$80 or less on sale. This is obviously a bit of a mismatch with a $32 headphone amp, so if you don't already have a dac I'd recommend the alternative I'll get into below.

Alternatively, for those on a very tight budget, I've heard good things about using the ~$8 apple usb-c to 3.5mm adapter dongle with a 3.5mm to rca cable (~$5) as a dac. The audio chain would look like this: computer's usb port -> apple usb to 3.5mm dongle -> 3.5mm to rca cable -> rca inputs of the liquid spark amp -> headphones. The apple dongle will only be able to output up to 1vrms, and there's always the potential for issues when using a janky setup like that. Ground loops are also always a possibility with unbalanced audio setups. Make sure to get the US version of the apple dongle, the EU version is limited to only .5vrms output. You could technically do the same thing with your motherboards audio output, though that'll typically be of extremely poor quality and I don't recommend it.

The ebay listing indicates that for: "Other Monoprice Branded products: 1 year replacement warranty only", so purcharing this amp from ebay has a worse warranty than the 3 year replacement warranty directly from monoprice's website. Cancellations are not permitted on the ebay orders, but there are 30 day returns.

Overall, at $32.49 this is a excellent value budget headphone amp for those who already have a dac or are willing to use a 3.5mm output to rca. When you add the cost of the liquid spark amp and a decent desktop dac together it's already over $110, and at that point you can get a much higher quality dac/amp combo unit for ~$50 more. Therefore, if you would be purchasing a proper desktop dac to go along with this headphone amp, I'd recommend instead to look into purchasing a high quality dac/amp combo unit in the $150-$200 range.
Go to Comment
LivelyString7186
66Comments
28Reputation
This was my first super budget setup. Just to dip my toes into the headphone hifi world. I had my old lg g7 phone with built in dac, liquid spark to a set of refurb hifiman he400se headphones. Minus the phone, as it was just laying around collecting dust, I was at $160 total in to my setup. It was an excellent sounding upgrade from consumer grade headphone equipment. But, beware as this will lead you down the rabbit hole of "if this sounds this good, imagine what (insert hifi item here) sounds like. Then hundreds to thousands of dollars later you think "if I would have just stuck with my first purchase I would have been completely happy".
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69 Comments

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Mar 2, 2024 8:51 AM
104 Comments
Joined Apr 2016
shilderbMar 2, 2024 8:51 AM
104 Comments
Quote from unclescary42 :
Hello - is this Fiio headphone amp better? I found it for $50 used.
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=9mA... [amazon.com]
The Fiio has a built in DAC and accepts a smaller size headphone jack (works with HD58X Jubilees). The one in this deal needs a separate DAC and accepts a bigger headphone jack (works with HD600). I have both and like them both but they're really made for different setups. The Fiio is superior for portability since it's smaller and has a built in DAC - and this one for a gaming setup for bigger headphones. I'm pretty sure you can get adapters for either setup if you want to. As much as I wish I was a sound snob I'm not and couldn't tell you which sounds better, I like them both Smilie

Edit: forgot to mention the Fiio accepts USB c input whereas the one in this deal needs the big audio cables. Also did an audio test and my setup using the one from this deal and the HD600s sounds louder/fuller than the Fiio (but I'm no pro).
Last edited by shilderb March 2, 2024 at 01:01 AM.
Pro
Mar 2, 2024 11:53 AM
942 Comments
Joined Mar 2012
appel
Pro
Mar 2, 2024 11:53 AM
942 Comments
Quote from resellpanda_88 :
Why is the matching dac never available?
Can you link the matching DAC? Can't seem to find it.

Edit: this seems to be it: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Monoli.../904185305

Not on sale anywhere though, so like the other commenter said, seems to be quite rare.
Last edited by appel March 2, 2024 at 09:03 AM.
Mar 2, 2024 11:55 AM
63 Comments
Joined Jan 2015
PlantsmantxMar 2, 2024 11:55 AM
63 Comments
Quote from resellpanda_88 :
Why is the matching dac never available?
It was still listed on their site, but it was effectively discontinued not long after it was introduced. It had an AKM dac chip, and after the AKM factory fire, they stopped making them.
Mar 2, 2024 12:24 PM
63 Comments
Joined Jan 2015
PlantsmantxMar 2, 2024 12:24 PM
63 Comments
Quote from alxshanti :
I would like to get one AMP for my Philips X2HR and Sennheiser HD600. Any recommendation? I'm willing pay over a hundred if needed.
Right now, you can get a "used-good" SMSL C200 all-in-one amp/dac from Amazon for $125, or a new one for $175.20. You could also get the $32.50 Liquid Spark amp and the $80 SMSL SU-1 dac for a total price of $112.50.
Mar 2, 2024 1:26 PM
1 Comments
Joined Mar 2024
RelaxedScent7029Mar 2, 2024 1:26 PM
1 Comments
Would these make a noticeable improvement in Sennheiser HD598s on a gaming computer? or would my motherboard be good enough?
Mar 2, 2024 1:33 PM
984 Comments
Joined Jun 2009
einzelherzMar 2, 2024 1:33 PM
984 Comments
As a non headphone user, I've never understood what these are for. Are they strictly to pull 2 channel from a headphone jack on a laptop/desktop and just increase the volume? Or is it that over the ear headphones need more voltage to drive them than a standard headphone jack can usually manage?
Pro
Mar 2, 2024 1:36 PM
1.9K Comments
Joined Apr 2014
WifeLeaver
Pro
Mar 2, 2024 1:36 PM
1.9K Comments
Quote from einzelherz :
As a non headphone user, I've never understood what these are for. Are they strictly to pull 2 channel from a headphone jack on a laptop/desktop and just increase the volume? Or is it that over the ear headphones need more voltage to drive them than a standard headphone jack can usually manage?
More power, better sound, slightly different sound

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Mar 2, 2024 1:40 PM
3.1K Comments
Joined Dec 2007
erishunMar 2, 2024 1:40 PM
3.1K Comments
Quote from alxshanti :
I would like to get one AMP for my Philips X2HR and Sennheiser HD600. Any recommendation? I'm willing pay over a hundred if needed.
The Schitt Magni Heresy is on sale right now, it's incredible bang for the buck. https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-plus
Mar 2, 2024 2:04 PM
66 Comments
Joined May 2021
LivelyString7186Mar 2, 2024 2:04 PM
66 Comments
This was my first super budget setup. Just to dip my toes into the headphone hifi world. I had my old lg g7 phone with built in dac, liquid spark to a set of refurb hifiman he400se headphones. Minus the phone, as it was just laying around collecting dust, I was at $160 total in to my setup. It was an excellent sounding upgrade from consumer grade headphone equipment. But, beware as this will lead you down the rabbit hole of "if this sounds this good, imagine what (insert hifi item here) sounds like. Then hundreds to thousands of dollars later you think "if I would have just stuck with my first purchase I would have been completely happy".
Original Poster
Mar 2, 2024 2:27 PM
5 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
BrianZ9975
Original Poster
Mar 2, 2024 2:27 PM
5 Comments
Quote from LDvo :
Buy two for $30.87 each !
Yes thanks fixed original post.
Mar 2, 2024 3:59 PM
709 Comments
Joined Nov 2006
d3a1zMar 2, 2024 3:59 PM
709 Comments
Quote from appel :
Can you link the matching DAC? Can't seem to find it.
I think the DAC is pretty rare. I used to have one and it was OK. For this proce a fairly high powered amp is a steal though. I got one again just to have a different flavor since Cavalli stuff does ahave a particular sound to me.
Mar 2, 2024 4:10 PM
10.4K Comments
Joined Sep 2013
alxshantiMar 2, 2024 4:10 PM
10.4K Comments
Quote from theshopper2022 :
This is what I use.
ASTRO Gaming MixAmp Pro TR [amazon.com]
Quote from Plantsmantx :
Right now, you can get a "used-good" SMSL C200 all-in-one amp/dac from Amazon for $125, or a new one for $175.20. You could also get the $32.50 Liquid Spark amp and the $80 SMSL SU-1 dac for a total price of $112.50.
Quote from erishun :
The Schitt Magni Heresy is on sale right now, it's incredible bang for the buck. https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-plus
Thank you all! Much appreciated. I might try out the Astor Mixamp that's connected to the PS5 just for kicks, and go from there.
Last edited by alxshanti March 2, 2024 at 08:12 AM.
1
Mar 2, 2024 4:45 PM
481 Comments
Joined Nov 2017
lass.richardMar 2, 2024 4:45 PM
481 Comments
Quote from erishun :
The Schitt Magni Heresy is on sale right now, it's incredible bang for the buck. https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-plus
What he said, BUMP
Pro
Mar 2, 2024 5:02 PM
942 Comments
Joined Mar 2012
appel
Pro
Mar 2, 2024 5:02 PM
942 Comments
Quote from d3a1z :
I think the DAC is pretty rare. I used to have one and it was OK. For this proce a fairly high powered amp is a steal though. I got one again just to have a different flavor since Cavalli stuff does ahave a particular sound to me.
Agreed, grabbed one myself Smilie

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Mar 2, 2024 6:16 PM
1K Comments
Joined Feb 2006
ShakyJake3Mar 2, 2024 6:16 PM
1K Comments
Quote from unclescary42 :
Hello - is this Fiio headphone amp better? I found it for $50 used.
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=9mA... [amazon.com]

I bought this as an upgrade of the amp section in my FiiO E10K. My Hifiman HE400SEs are hungry for more power...
1

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