Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 788 desktop balanced DAC/Amp - review
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 11 ноя 2024
- I am in love with the Monolith THX AAA 788 balanced dac/amp by Monoprice. Here is my attempt at a review. Long winded ramble of how much I love the 788 😁
• Let's Talk - My resear...
www.monoprice....
If you like the content of this channel and want to see more like this in the future, please consider donating. All funds donated to the channel will be used to purchase headphones and audio gear for the channel.
www.paypal.me/...
If you would like to loan me a piece of gear to review or send a gift, send me an email to discuss an arrangement and my shipping address.
dbstechtalk@gmail.com
17 months later...your review encouraged me to purchase this as my first headphone amp!
Awesomeness. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and impressions.
XLR and 1/4 outputs both now work at the same time under Rev 1.04.
Thanks for the review dave! You convinced me to wait for them to come back in stock and just get this! Keep up the content!!
You're welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful.
The Monolith 788 is truly outstanding and extremely versatile. If you don't want to pack it in your bag the Monolith THX Portable is like a mini clone on batteries. Doesn't do balanced but has both optical and USB digital inputs, 3 band PEQ instead of 5, also had Dirac. It sounds just like its bigger brethren and that's basically just like a $500 patch cable. Awesome-fi both.
Interesting. I may have to pick one up as I have heard so many good things about the portable THX. But I don't do portable audio very often so my usage would be limited.
Great review! Very helpful!
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad you found it helpful.
Thank you for this in depth review!
You are very welcome. Thank you for the kind words and watching.
David Sylvia of course! I actually subscribed to your channel after watching a few reviews. I finally pulled the plug and bought this unit, which comes tomorrow from Amazon. I’ll let you know what I think of it! Thanks again
@@arielrodilla874 Thank you for subscribing. I am sure you will enjoy the 788. Excellent choice. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Dirac is great for the most part. It widens the sound stage and separates things nicely and actually seems to make the bass fuller and punchier, but it doesn't seem to get as deep. Takes away from the low end a little bit. It's a nice clean sound and is nice to use if my ears are getting fatigued since the sound isn't right in your face. But if you already have high quality headphones like the 1990 pro, then Dirac won't really make anything sound better, just offer a different soundstage imo.
Very well stated. I honestly don't use it much except for gaming and movies.
@@TheHonestAudiophile that's probably the best use for it. But for me, depending on the song, I'll sometimes turn Dirac on if the way it was produced seems a little closed in or just not well produced, so that it saves my ears a bit. Or if there is too much going and I need to spread out the sound a bit wider.
Excellent review. Pure and un-adulterated! Subscribed and LIKED! I found a used one tonight around my area, the reason I watched your review. The seller wants $350 for it, but the issue is the ad is the ad is 26 weeks old. It could have been sold already, but there is always a possibility that it is still available. It has not been taken out yet. Hopefully, it is still available and may sell it lower than what he asked for originally. By the way, it is now Sept. 2022, 3 years after your original review, I wonder if this device is still relevant? Thanks.
The THX AAA 788 is still a very good DAC/Amp and is relevant today. I see no reason not to get it.
4:31 Holy! Is that a power plant you have there in your hands?
Slight slip of the tongue, should be milliwatts 🤦♂️
Hi Dave and thanks for the effort and the knowledge.
Can I use the 788 as an amp only while using balanced xlr in from my ares Ii dac ? Will the 788 manipulate the sound of the dac?
Seems like you don’t use the 788 anymore as of June 2021. Would you recommend purchasing it now as a dac / amp or as an amp for external R2R dac?
Thanks a lot
To be honest I don't recall. I haven't owned the 788 in over a year. Sorry.
Ares II would probably pair nicely with the THX 789 or the soon available Mytek THX
i have the same exact opinion on EQ
Would you still recommend this in 2021?
Absolutely, excellent DAC/Amp.
@@TheHonestAudiophile And with that, I am now the proud owner of one. Thanks man!! Keep up the great content!!
Awesomeness. Look forward to hearing your impressions.
hey man, if i have a audio inter face and a 250 ohms headset but i need a better amp to power it (THX DAC AMP ), how would i connect that into my audio interface (Focusrite) , or does it go into my pc. like would my daw only notice my audio interface and not my connection through to my Dac/AMP>headphones? been finding it hard to get a bit of info on this. sorry if i made it confusing
The THX 788 has its own DAC so you can connect via USB from your pc.
@@TheHonestAudiophile ok cool
Incredible review! Is there a dac and amp that you can reccomend for my audeze lcd xc
Thank you for the kind words. I haven't heard anything paired with the LCD XC but I highly recommend the Mytek Liberty and Soekris DAC1421.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thank you do much for your help! You are truly such a kind and generous reviewer! I love your videos so much, and I hope you enjoy making them as well!
@@theprinceofeverything1975 thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated. I'm glad you enjoy the channel. My pleasure, you're welcome for the recommendations.
Hi, loved the long review. How much difference between The THX AAA 788 and the Aune X7S? I know it's a stupid question but are they in a completely different league? What about your impression on the DAC only? Have you tried the DAC of the THX AAA 788 in the Aune X7S? I apologise for asking questions about the Aune X7S but it's my reference AMP along with the Aune X1S DAC, so I'm wondering if it's going to be a noticeable sound quality improvement to upgrade the all combo. Regards
Thank you for the kind words.
Totally different league, a major stepup.
I love my Aune stack, use it all the time. The X1s lacks clarity, definition and dynamics and colors the sound with a warm tint. The X7s is not as powerful and doesn't have as dark of a background. The Aune stack is good and I still recommend it but there is a noticeable difference when comparing to the 788.
The DAC of the 788 is crazy good. I tried it out to my APPJ, MCTH, CLCX and X7s and it was amazing with all amps.
I will put together a short video comparison of the Aune stack vs the 788 in the coming days.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks in advance for the video. I love headphones and amp reviews but it's very hard to find someone talking about upgrading your audio gears, if it's worth it or not, what kind of experience a particular amp/dac or headphones offer compare to something else etc. I highly appreciate your videos, not to mention your prompt answers on comments!
@@angelocaputo6683 Thank you very much. The goal of this channel is to connect with viewers on a simple and basic level to help them to make educated purchases based on real life experience not a bunch of specs and graphs that may or may not correlate the true sound of the device. Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question. Thank you for watching the videos. Thank you for subscribing.
I have this dac/amp and love it except the volume knob
Awesomeness. Yeah that volume knob is different for sure.
@@TheHonestAudiophile also having the Dirac option makes most music sound better
Are you using the 1/4 inch headphone jack, or the XLR (balanced) output?
I used both when I owned the 788.
Can you plug a CD player into this?
Great review! How does it compare to the LCX amp? Is it different enough to justify having both?
Thank you for the kind words.
Yes they are completely different. The THX has a clean, clear analytical sound and the LCX has a slight warm tint.
How can i connect my Dap - Ibasso DX220 to Thx887 balanced? I have balanced output on my dap
@RaiseYourFamily I am sorry I am not familiar with either of those devices. But if the iBasso has 2.5mm balanced output you could use a 2.5mm to rca cable and connect to the RCA inputs of the THX 887 or you can use xlr to rca adapter to connect into the xlr inputs. Here are a few links below. PLEASE NOTE I haven't tested this theory at all so this is merely an idea.
www.amazon.com/dp/B078ZZHF6L/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_2viMEbYV09NNR
www.amazon.com/dp/B07GJTCY6L/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_wziMEbCS717JG
If you want to use the coaxial or optical output you would need a DAC like this:
drop.com/buy/drop-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced?referer=FTSS2S
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks!:)
@@RaiseYourFamily You are welcome, my pleasure.
Hi I like your videos. I have a question for you...did you have to do any firmware updates when you first got your amp?
I haven't done any firmware updates. I did test on USB with my MSI Cubi, Microsoft Surface Pro and my OnePlus 6T and they all were plug-n-play.
Thank you for the kind words and for watching.
David Sylvia hey thanks for the quick response! Yesterday I tried to connect my Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro to my amp using rca and balanced and it was out of phase. So I did some checking and found out there has to be a firmware update to correct this issue and it has to be done using windows. I’m a apple guy so I’m have trouble borrowing a windows computer. Anyway I was just curious. Keep up the good work!
@@hifihillbilly4843 Reach out to Monoprice support and they should be able to help you a firmware update file.
@HIFIHIllbilly C If you only have Mac, you could take to a friend who has a PC and download the update and then flash to your 788, all instructions and files are included on Monoprice website. Very simple process, takes less than 5 minutes.
Update: I did flash the latest update to my 788, a very easy process on PC that took less then 5 minutes.
Where could I get my hands on one of those coupons?
If you create a login with Monoprice and get the email notifications, they randomly send out coupons of great savings.
@@TheHonestAudiophile that sounds nice, thanks.
@@olimphus26 My pleasure
Megawatt? you mean Miliwatts right?
Sorry yes. Milli not Mega as that would be insane power lol.
Could I Setup a Pair of Reference Monitors using the L and R Balanced XLRS?
Sadly the XLR on the back are inputs only. The only xlr output is the headphone out.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for reply, I could use the rca Outs and get a pair of rca male to xlr male.
@@ump7290 yes that would work
Monolith UK: "Thank you for reaching out and your interest in Monoprice! Unfortunately, we are no longer expecting the Monolith by Monoprice Desktop Balanced Headphone Amplifier and DAC with THX AAA Technology (Dual AKM 4493 DACs & Dual AAA-788 Modules) to arrive in our Stores. It might be available in 2021, but there is still no confirmed information"'
Sigh, have ordered a unit from Amazon US for @£495 inc shipping and (estimated) import fees. If in the EU/EU, you'll need to get a rather bulky step-down voltage transformer rated at 200w. Have ordered a Bronson++ 200w from Amazon.
Well thats a bummer but I'm glad you found you one. Sorry for the extra costs.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Very pleased to buy one, thanks. Going to get my sound engineer brother to mod the rear XLRs to XLR outs (you'll have seen those posts on the forums). He reckons it's easy, and that anybody in electronics could do it with confidence. I don't have a balanced tube amp, so I'm afraid I won't be posting any images/videos anytime soon.
Mind you, I own the HD800S, so am eager to hear these cans from a balanced tube amp......
@@Jamie-666 awesomeness. Yeah that mod seems popular and easy for anyone competent with soldering and wiring, neither of my strengths.
Why would you need a step down transformer for it? Its designed to work with 120v to 240v as per the specifications and the their technical team. I am using it in the the UAE where the power output is 220v as in the UK!
@@Faazzil Hi Muhammad. I imported the US version, and at that time there was no UK 220v version.
How are these with Aryas?
No longer owned the 788 when I reviewed the Arya, sorry.
Nice review ! but common anyone with ears would choose focal over razer's
I would hope so 😁 But this particular person loves his Razers for competitive gaming so for him to be head over heels excited was neat to watch.
Thank you for the kind words.
Needs ruthless editing to make it less than 15 mins
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Editing is not my specialty and not something that is featured often on this channel.
sorry but you need to speed it up a bit it took you 3 mins just to say the name of the product you're reviewing
@IamMotionMedia Thank you for watching and commenting.
This vid could use some editing...
UPS man dropping off another amp???
Actually I think it was a delivery of coffee, if memory serves me right.
Megawatts??? I'm cringing. 100 decibe9 of crosstalk? SMH.
Megawatt...yeah that was an error that slipped thru. Sorry about that.
Uncomfortable opening with the drinking and your face right in my face...
SM Music Sorry for the uncomfortable opening, didn't think of it that way when recording.
Thanks for watching and commenting.