Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amplifier #11567
Jun 15, 2014 at 7:46 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 143

billybob_jcv

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I did a quick forum search and didn't see a thread on this DAC/amp. Has anyone tried it? The specs say it is a 96K/24bit DAC and there appears to be a gain switch on the back. Seems a bit pricey for Monoprice when compared to a Fiio E10. Not much information in the specs - no details on the DAC chips or opamps used.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=120&cp_id=12008&cs_id=1200801&p_id=11567&seq=1&format=2



 
Jun 15, 2014 at 8:19 PM Post #2 of 143
I wouldn't be surprised if the OEM is Dayton Audio.
 
Jun 15, 2014 at 11:24 PM Post #3 of 143
Maybe - but I thought Dayton Audio was just the house brand for Parts Express, and their units were made elsewhere. Isn't the Dayton DTA-1 T-amp just a warmed-over version of the old Sonic Impact amp? Of course, SI5 is now gone...

Sonic Impact 5066:




Dayton Audio DTA-1:

 
Jun 16, 2014 at 12:11 AM Post #4 of 143
I did a quick forum search and didn't see a thread on this DAC/amp. Has anyone tried it? The specs say it is a 96K/24bit DAC and there appears to be a gain switch on the back. Seems a bit pricey for Monoprice when compared to a Fiio E10. Not much information in the specs - no details on the DAC chips or opamps used.
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=120&cp_id=12008&cs_id=1200801&p_id=11567&seq=1&format=2



 
It's  a rebranded FiiO E09K headphone amplifier.
It looks like they removed the E7/E17 dock and added an internal DAC.
It might be using a WM8740 DAC chip, as that is what FiiO normally uses.
 
Edit, the new E10K is using the PCM5102 DAC chip, guess that is another DAC chip the Monoprice DAC/amplifier might be using.
 
Jun 16, 2014 at 7:42 AM Post #5 of 143
   
It's  a rebranded FiiO E09K headphone amplifier.
It looks like they removed the E7/E17 dock and added an internal DAC.
It might be using a WM8740 DAC chip, it what FiiO normally uses.

 
Yes, you are correct.  The backs are perfect matches.  But, it's not a very good deal.  For a $10 savings, you lose the DAC dock.
 
Jun 16, 2014 at 10:06 AM Post #7 of 143
   
Yes, you are correct.  The backs are perfect matches.  But, it's not a very good deal.  For a $10 savings, you lose the DAC dock.

 
I think it's a great deal, as it already has a built in DAC chip, you do not have to buy the E17.
 
Jun 16, 2014 at 3:25 PM Post #9 of 143
Doesn't the E09K also work as a standalone DAC through the rear USB port? If not, why is it there?

 
The regular E09K does not come with a DAC chip.
When the FiiO E7/E07K/E17 is docked to the E09K, the E09K will route the digital audio signal from it's USB port thru the docked E7/E07K/E17 DAC chip, then send that signal to the E09K's headphone amplifier.
So the E09K's USB port is useless, when there is nothing docked to the E09K.
 
Jun 16, 2014 at 9:19 PM Post #10 of 143
OK - I think I get it - the USB port on the E09K is just a pass-through from the dock connector. Well, that sucks...

The description on the Monoprice does say:

This headphone amplifier features a USB input and a professional level Texas Instruments Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), effectively replacing your sound card without requiring you to open your PC and installing a new card.
 
Jun 17, 2014 at 3:37 PM Post #11 of 143
Now if only they could fit in the A1 speaker amp board in there, it'd be a nice all-in-one unit.
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 3:11 PM Post #14 of 143
I came across the amp while trolling around Monoprice the other day. Looks like a rebranded Fiio E09K without the dock and an E07K, E10 or E17 DAC built in. I'm intrigued, but I've already got an O2 which is my workhorse and I don't need to be spending another $100 on an amp.
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