Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Vtory, Apr 4, 2018.

  1. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Link: https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=120&cp_id=12008&cs_id=1200801&p_id=33305&seq=1&format=2

    What day is it today? April first? Is my calendar app broken??

    According to the webpage..
    Price: $699
    Release date: 26 June 2018 (as ETA)
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2018
  2. ckwong

    ckwong New

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  3. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    Too early to tell but this does not strike me as the usual Monoprice ripoff tactic since they keep the cavalli name. Let's just wait and see. No promise it'll sound good regardless of whether it is really cavalli or not, btw... But could be fun, like uh fodder for sbaf playtime.
     
  4. ilcg1

    ilcg1 Acquaintance

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    It looks like it’s all legit since they officially used Alex Cavalli’s name on these two amps.

    Also, I remember that price point on Liquid Platinum was set at $1,500 (it was mentioned somewhere on HF), so if Monprice can bring it to life for $699 (less than 1/2 of originally mentioned price), that’s very good. Massdrop is getting more competition seems like.
     
  5. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    This looks like one of those vibrating things you stand on to help get rid of love handles.

    More polite: Okay, will admit I'm curious to see how Monoprice manages to do justice (if any at all) to the Cavalli design. If they end up cheaping out on components or anything, well, that at least makes it a good mod candidate because the design's all there anyway...?
     
  6. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    [​IMG]

    They do rip things off, and they have sounded like shit, but perhaps this won't, let just wait and see how it plays out.

    Also I should note that the case looks remarkably like the Liquid Tungsten prototypes that disappeared. Perhaps this is legit and sanctioned....
     
  7. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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  8. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    It's either licensed, or they are just straight up daring Alex to dump years of legal action and money into a lawsuit and eventually settle for chump change while they sell the shit out of this thing and laugh all the while. Chinese business tactics = we do what the f**k we want because: lawyers.
     
  9. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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    If this indeed on the straight and narrow with trademark and implementation, this looks really exciting.

    Monoprice basically got off its feet by calling bullshit on the cable market, and now they're moving deeper into audiophilia. I welcome this effort.

    :piratemug:
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2018
  10. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    I didn't realize that they were putting this out there.

    For those going to SoCal CanJam, Alex will be there with the amps that he is actively involved with Monoprice in producing.

    ie this is legit

    And the amps sound exceptionally good

    .. dB
     
  11. Junki

    Junki Facebook Friend

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    f**k yes. I may have finally found my new desktop amp. Thanks for the info dB.

    Monoprice will have an extremely objectively transparent amp in the THX AAA 788, and reputably euphonic amps in Cavalli. What a lineup.
     
  12. Eudis Fernandes

    Eudis Fernandes Aurorus Audio - MoT

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    My body is ready
     
  13. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    First of all, thanks for clarifying this, and sorry for the bashing, I thought it was something like what they did with Audeze and Audioquest.
    I'll delete my two previous posts because they're just wrong, I didn't know this information before posting.
     
  14. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    This is an interesting development. I wonder if Monoprice also manufactures the MCTH for Massdrop?
     
  15. ilcg1

    ilcg1 Acquaintance

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    Balanced Crimson at $699 sounds very promising...
     
  16. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    1st off, why does this amp resemble a car stereo amp?

    I remember reading Cavelli's post on why he is closing the doors on Cavelli. He essentially wanted to spend more time with his family. I am sure the likes of Monoprice, Massdrop, Topping, SMSL, Douk, and other Chi-fi companies have approached Schiit for similar deals. "Let us make it and you can focus on designing and running things." If only Jason,could talk, I am sure he has some stories. For Alex, I guess they found his number.
     
  17. Junki

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    @rtaylor76 I think Alex was tired of all the work required to run Cavalli Audio as a business, which is a lot more work than just amp topology design, which was probably his favorite part.

    Now all he has to do is focus on his favorite part while Monoprice and/or Massdrop figures out all the development, parts sourcing, accounting, distribution, support, angry customers, repairs, warehousing, etc.

    Also Schiit already targets the relatively budget-sensitive segment so they're running on thinner margins, which they more than make up for in volume. It's hard to imagine how contracting out part of their operation will help with the volume play. Cavalli Audio squarely targeted very high end with very high markups against cost. Alex built a reputable brand but absolutely failed in marketing and distribution. So he kept his IP and partnered with Monoprice, which has the marketing and distribution to maximize the overall pie.

    Alex has it good now. What's the use of Monoprice or Massdrop making a Liquid Crimson if they can't call it Liquid Crimson or have the Cavalli blessing in the name? Passive income, and mucho time for family and his golden years.

    At least that's my read on it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2018
  18. supertransformingdhruv

    supertransformingdhruv Almost "Made"

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    So... the general feeling is that these Monolith Cavalli amps and the THX AAA are legit and above board? I'll admit, my first impression was that they were pouncing on Massdrop, who might be too weak to defend against the legal issues.
     
  19. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    That is pretty the expansion of what I was trying to say. So, yes. Thanks for unpacking it for me.

    Let's just remember that Schiit is Made in the USA because of smart means of build and production. And built an online self distribution in the US. Two feats that Cavelli or any other company did not persue that kept prices high. Not trying to put Schiit on a pedestal, but they are the competition of Cavelli. Price was always the biggest barrier for many.

    Now the designs can live on as an overseas built product. Reminds me of the same model as Emotiva.
     
  20. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Massdrop is not the same as Monoprice. Massdrop specializes in group buys and doesn't have stock whereas Monoprice is a budget electronics store. The boundary has gotten a bit blurry since Massdrop has started to stock 'Massdrop made' items and Monoprice does give volume discounts as well, but that doesn't change their fundamental nature.

    Basically, Massdrop isn't in any danger from any similar items Monoprice might offer. They might even be complimentary and I wouldn't be surprised if Massdrop does a group buy of a Monoprice product.
     

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