Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum - By Alex Cavalli
Mar 25, 2019 at 9:04 PM Post #1,966 of 5,201
No need to quote yourself from earlier in the day. Do a few minutes of research and you will find that they are exact equivalents.

I did that because it went to a different page and I now know that I didn’t need to repost. I did do research and yes I know it is the equivalent, however @runeight might have a different opinion on it. That is why I asked.
 
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Mar 25, 2019 at 10:45 PM Post #1,967 of 5,201
I did that because it went to a different page and I now know that I didn’t need to repost. I did do research and yes I know it is the equivalent, however @runeight might have a different opinion on it. That is why I asked.

6N23Ps are the Russian equivalent to 6922s. They are fine to use. You can even say the stock Electro Harmonix tubes are 6N23Ps as they are made in Russia and probably use the same tooling.
 
Mar 26, 2019 at 12:06 AM Post #1,968 of 5,201
I finally got my Liquid Platinum on Sunday. Been listening the past couple days and I have to say I am head over heels in love. I have it connected to my ADI-2 via XLR and listening through my Clears, I have to say that this is what I knew they really had in them. I had the CMA600i for awhile and while a very capable amp, it didn't quite deliver the sonics I was really wanting. Having used the Loxjie P20 in the interim and really being completely impressed with what that was capable of I had a feeling that the LP was going to be a nice step-up in the right direction. Man oh man, more than I imagined. And I only have the stock tubes right now, which I was worried, based on other reviews, would be somewhat lacking. Nope. Not even in the least. They sound wonderful. I do have a pair of Brimar CV2492's on their way so I'm really excited to hear what they do to this already spectacular sound signature.

I've been eyeing this puppy for the past three months since first being recommended to me by @LCMusicLover (thanks again!) and I am so absolutely thrilled to finally join the little community of happy Liquid Platinum users. My goal is to eventually upgrade to a more heavy duty TOTL tube headphone amp but until that day I have a feeling this puppy is going to bring me a lot of fun listening sessions. Can't wait to start rolling!!

IMG_2118.jpg IMG_2119.jpg
 
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Mar 28, 2019 at 9:39 PM Post #1,969 of 5,201
OK y'all I just bought one and I'm stoked. This is my first hybrid amp. I recently sold the THX 789 and still have a Bottlehead Crack [which I love]. I'm guessing there isn't any good reason for me to seek out a solid state amp atm, right? I have a Beyer T1.2 which usually goes out of the Crack. My Denon AH-D7200s were usually out of a THX 789, but I am guessing it would sound good out of the LP? How does the LP fare with IEMs? [prob not the best?] Also, as far as tubes, what's the best bang for you buck option? Thanks guys!
 
Mar 28, 2019 at 10:17 PM Post #1,970 of 5,201
OK y'all I just bought one and I'm stoked. This is my first hybrid amp. I recently sold the THX 789 and still have a Bottlehead Crack [which I love]. I'm guessing there isn't any good reason for me to seek out a solid state amp atm, right? I have a Beyer T1.2 which usually goes out of the Crack. My Denon AH-D7200s were usually out of a THX 789, but I am guessing it would sound good out of the LP? How does the LP fare with IEMs? [prob not the best?] Also, as far as tubes, what's the best bang for you buck option? Thanks guys!
Congrats!

IEMs are pretty much a no go without some type of attenuation. With my preamp my IT-04s sound great, although I mostly use it with my full-size cans.

You will probably hear a lot of varying opinions re: tubes. I found Genalex Gold Lions to be an interesting upgrade for reasonable money.
 
Mar 28, 2019 at 10:23 PM Post #1,971 of 5,201
What DAC do you use w/ LP? Pontus or Sonica? I have a n SMSL VMV D1 otw. Anyone have any experience with this pairing?
 
Mar 29, 2019 at 9:32 AM Post #1,972 of 5,201
What DAC do you use w/ LP? Pontus or Sonica? I have a n SMSL VMV D1 otw. Anyone have any experience with this pairing?
I use both DACs, but mostly Pontus.

Sorry, no experience with your DAC.
 
Mar 29, 2019 at 6:16 PM Post #1,973 of 5,201
What DAC do you use w/ LP? Pontus or Sonica? I have a n SMSL VMV D1 otw. Anyone have any experience with this pairing?
"You will probably hear a lot of varying opinions re: tubes. I found Genalex Gold Lions to be an interesting upgrade for reasonable money." Totally agree. There are a lot of opinions and a lot of good options. The Gold Lions are good choice at a reasonable price.
 
Mar 29, 2019 at 8:53 PM Post #1,974 of 5,201
OK y'all I just bought one and I'm stoked. This is my first hybrid amp. I recently sold the THX 789 and still have a Bottlehead Crack [which I love]. I'm guessing there isn't any good reason for me to seek out a solid state amp atm, right? I have a Beyer T1.2 which usually goes out of the Crack. My Denon AH-D7200s were usually out of a THX 789, but I am guessing it would sound good out of the LP? How does the LP fare with IEMs? [prob not the best?] Also, as far as tubes, what's the best bang for you buck option? Thanks guys!

Congratulations! BTW, could you please write some impressions comparing the Crack with the LP? Also, it would be welcome to read a little comparing the 3 amps: THX 789, Crack and LP. I have the Crack and would like to know how much difference is between the Crack and the LP. Thank you!
 
Mar 30, 2019 at 1:31 PM Post #1,975 of 5,201
OK y'all I just bought one and I'm stoked. This is my first hybrid amp. I recently sold the THX 789 and still have a Bottlehead Crack [which I love]. I'm guessing there isn't any good reason for me to seek out a solid state amp atm, right? I have a Beyer T1.2 which usually goes out of the Crack. My Denon AH-D7200s were usually out of a THX 789, but I am guessing it would sound good out of the LP? How does the LP fare with IEMs? [prob not the best?] Also, as far as tubes, what's the best bang for you buck option? Thanks guys!

The LP & Crimson have always been one of the best matches for the T1 & T1.2. I think you'll find it to be a nice upgrade. I haven't heard the Denon D7200, but the old Denons were always a super good match. For IEMs, I found the iFi iEMatch attenuated enough to give you a very useable volume range w/o noticeable signal degradation and it's only $50.
 
Mar 30, 2019 at 7:37 PM Post #1,976 of 5,201
What bothers me the most is that if you search for it on Google to make an informed purchase decision, it pops up as one of the top results. The data is presented somewhat professionally and he appears to be an authority on the subject of audio measurements based on a cursory investigation, so it's likely that there have been people led in the wrong direction by misinformation.

That's the last thing I'll say on the matter. Perhaps we should steer this thread back toward talking about the amplifier?


Sorry for late reply. Catching up with the thread over the weekend.

I don’t understand the problem some folks have with Amir’s review. He presented his measurement results as he always does for all hardware and the conclusion was actually very favorable:

“Other than some power supply noise that gets through, the Monoprice Liquid Platinum seems well engineered. Performance is the best of any tube headphone amplifier I have tested (I think). We have tons of power which is the #1 think that impacts subjective performance of a headphone amplifier. On this front, it is at the top of the class competing with our reference headphone amplifiers.”

If I was in the market for LP I would consider this a positive and encouraging factor.
Yes, he thinks the price could be lower but it is not outrageous compared to what audiophiles are willing to spend on some gear. I do think it is a good value and I like my unit a lot.
 
Mar 31, 2019 at 12:28 PM Post #1,977 of 5,201
What DAC do you use w/ LP? Pontus or Sonica? I have a n SMSL VMV D1 otw. Anyone have any experience with this pairing?

I considered this dac for awhile. It is a performance design with very high quality parts. I was put off by it being SMSL and Sabre, but im curious about it's performance none the less. Look forward to your thoughts when you receive it. I know it does have some features, but I can't recall if it has volume attenuation built in.
 
Mar 31, 2019 at 1:29 PM Post #1,978 of 5,201
I've owned alot of audio gear over the years, it's gear, not pride. I can sell it for what I paid for it(bought it used) tomorrow if I want too. As to your first point, #1, I was directly addressing the comment from Tommy.. should be obvious. It's a headphone amp, im not married to it, nor do I care if someone does not like it, but like Luckbad's previous post, what amir's doing is pretty disingenuous.

Who cares, is all I have to say. Clearly Monoprice, Dr Cavalli, and the LP are doing quite well despite any gross injustice done by Amir.

All people are doing on this thread with these comments is, what is called in the South, “Preaching to the Choir”.

As a constructive suggestion, go to ASR board and engage Amir there on the LP review thread. You may already be doing that, I don’t know as I rarely go to ASR these days (not in the market for any other gear right now), so my apologies if you already have taken the argument there.
 
Mar 31, 2019 at 3:50 PM Post #1,980 of 5,201
The stock tubes are pretty good actually, especially if applying EQ to suite your taste. They do some things really well, being well extended and pretty neutral. If your happy as is, there's no pressing need to try tubes, great thing is if you want to try something out 3 months 6 months or 3 years from now you have options.

I have an excellent hardware EQ at my disposal that I've used with the stock tubes and found them quite nice, so I speak from experience. I've also tried a decent pair of NOS tubes and an ok pair. All 3 were enjoyable.
 
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