Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum - By Alex Cavalli

[Jimmyblues1959]

She made it for my birthday. My two favorite things. My dog (Koda back then) and my headphones (grado in particular).
I didn't think tubes made such an impact on the Zotl until I tried the melz power tubes. I have Melz (6sn7) and gold lion 12at7. It's great pairing.

But yes, I feel the CTH is special.
I heard the Crimson at head fi meet and owned the liquid carbon way back and also had the monoprice liquid gold currently have liquid platinum and CTH and I feel the CTH comes closest to "my memory of the Crimson... (sonically or should I say emotionally). Alex's "cavalli sound" is best captured in the hybrid design I think.
I know according to many who heard and own the Crimson say the liquid platinum comes closest in "some respects" to the Crimson but I feel the CTH comes closer in "other (more important) respects". I don't know. I maybe fooling myself.

Since you've actually heard the Crimson you'd have a better idea of how the LP and CTH compare to it. I've always believed that in spite of all the hype in this hobby, we should trust our own ears. It makes little sense to take an audio reviewer's opinion on a piece of audio equipment when the reviewer may have particular likes or dislikes that may not apply to another audio enthusiast. There's also the fact that any piece of gear one adds to their own system will sound different in someone else's audio system. That's why it's best to, if possible, find a dealer who'll let you demo their gear in your own system. This way you'll know exactly how your own system will sound with whatever audio gear you purchase.

 

[jonathan c]

With @Jimmyblues1959's robust advice above duly considered, I'll just say that Liquid Platinum (RCA 5814A tubes) is phe-nom-en-al with 'planar' headphones that I have used. Case in point:

[ZMF Caldera Closed]. All the 'audiophile boxes are checked'. More importantly, I am drawn into the ....eager to surrender .

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

With @Jimmyblues1959's robust advice above duly considered, I'll just say that Liquid Platinum (RCA 5814A tubes) is phe-nom-en-al with 'planar' headphones that I have used. Case in point: [ZMF Caldera Closed]. All the 'audiophile boxes are checked'. More importantly, I am drawn into the ....eager to surrender .

How would you compare the LP to the Mass Kobo 433? Have always found the latter company interesting - especially the $17,000 465 headphone amplifier.

 

[Chastity]

With @Jimmyblues1959's robust advice above duly considered, I'll just say that Liquid Platinum (RCA 5814A tubes) is phe-nom-en-al with 'planar' headphones that I have used. Case in point: [ZMF Caldera Closed]. All the 'audiophile boxes are checked'. More importantly, I am drawn into the ....eager to surrender .

One day @jonathan c will try out his Liquid Platinum with a set of AMT headphones, and realize that his dynamics and planars are all wrecked for him going forward.

 

[jonathan c]

How would you compare the LP to the Mass Kobo 433? Have always found the latter company interesting - especially the $17,000 465 headphone amplifier.

LP and MK-433 can sound quite similar -- depending upon the tubes used in LP. With 'adapted' RCA 5814A, yes; with Electro-Harmonix 6922, not so similar. Both LP and MK-433 have a light tonal sweetness that accompanies their excellent dynamic & transient capabilities. MK-433 has slightly more overall refinement in sonic presentation than does LP. It should: it cost me over 7x the purchase price of LP. I am keeping both.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

LP and MK-433 can sound quite similar -- depending upon the tubes used in LP. With 'adapted' RCA 5814A, yes; with Electro-Harmonix 6922, not so similar. Both LP and MK-433 have a light tonal sweetness that accompanies their excellent dynamic & transient capabilities. MK-433 has slightly more overall refinement in sonic presentation than does LP. It should: it cost me over 7x the purchase price of LP. I am keeping both.

Thanks for the quick reply and very helpful response!

 

[jonathan c]

.... another excellent duo ....

[Neumann NDH-30 (w/ Fog City Audio cable)]

 

[Chastity]

My 2nd tube from my second set is beginning to go, producing noise when it first warms up. It's early in the decay, as the noise goes away after a few moments, but I know that it will get worse. At least this time it's the opposing socket, and I grabbed one from my 3rd set to confirm. The original one that is still viable is a diehard trooper, and still working perfectly. Seems these EH tubes have a QA issue, and I will have to move onto another brand when a new set is required. (Unless I find another diehard in the 3rd set)

 

[sling5s]

This could be just how I'm hearing it but I notice when I change to a different "type" tube, from 6922 to 12au7 (with adaptor) for example on the liquid platinum,
while the soundstage and details (depending on the tube) increase, it diminishes the mid bass and midrange presence.
It becomes less forward and full. The stage increase but while doing so moves the mids (vocals) further back, hence less forward and slightly less full (thinner).
The LP loses some of the magic Cavalli sound.

This also happens on the CTH when changing from 6922 to 12au7(with adaptor) but to lesser extent.
The only tube type that is minimally impacted is when using the 5670 (with adaptor). You get the benefit of greater soundstage without the cost of midrange presence (Cavalli sound).

I'm assuming it has to do with the gain.
This might be why Alex advises not to change to different tube type.

It's all about synergy with the headphone you are using so the change maybe desirable for you; but for me, the benefits of increased soundstage at the cost of mid bass and midrange presence was not worth it.

On the LP I did decide to upgrade from EH to Gold Lions but staying with 6922 seemed best for me.
As for CTH, using the GE 5 Star 5670 improved the soundstage and detail without sacrificing the Cavalli sound.

 

[jonathan c]

• Something a little different (for me ) in LP this time.
• Wanting to 'tube' LP sans adapters, in went a pair of Valvo E88CC: made by Philips at the Heerland, Holland plant in 1960.

• Extraordinary! Great dynamics, purely even tonal balance, seamless yet sculpted soundstage, beautiful rendition of harmonics and overtones. Strings & voices are especially , all while percussion packs .
• LP sound vaults skyward yet again!!

 

[sling5s]

I understood that balanced out is the way to go.
However depending on your headphone, didn't know how much balanced XLR vs unbalanced se/rca input (from dac) makes a difference on the LP.
For me balanced xlr input (from dac) sounds slightly leaner/thinner and unbalanced rcd/se input sounds little less clean but more thicker/fuller which I prefer for Grados (hp100se).
Now with unbalanced se in, I can enjoy rca 12au7 clear tops which was a problem for me.
For warmer headphones, balanced in is the way to go but for bright headphones, I think unbalanced is the better way to go.

 

[Odin412]

I thought I'd share this image - it popped up in my OneDrive summary today:

This is from CanJam SoCal 2017, where Cavalli showed their flagship tube amp. As far as I know it never went into production, but I keep hoping that Monoprice or Drop (or someone else) will eventually put this into production. It certainly looks the part - if Darth Vader had a headphone amp it would probably look like this.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

I thought I'd share this image - it popped up in my OneDrive summary today:


This is from CanJam SoCal 2017, where Cavalli showed their flagship tube amp. As far as I know it never went into production, but I keep hoping that Monoprice or Drop (or someone else) will eventually put this into production. It certainly looks the part - if Darth Vader had a headphone amp it would probably look like this.

Dr. Cavalli has a knack for designing headphone amplifiers that are as unique looking as they are sounding. While he's probably never going to build another of his own headphone amplifiers in the future, many of us Cavalli Audio enthusiasts remain hopeful that he will design another headphone amplifier for Monoprice to produce.

 

[Rattle]

Screw mono price.... Have Nitsch do it.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Screw mono price.... Have Nitsch do it.

It would be great if Christian and Dr. Cavalli could collaborate on a new Cavalli offering!