Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

I've been looking into linear power supplies for the Monolith/Cavalli Liquid Platinum based on the currently-known specifications.

The best options I'm seeing for 36V / 1A so far:

BK Precision 1623A
@atomicbob measured one in the same range for the MCTH and it seemed to do really well for the price.

Acopian A36MT130
Probably slightly better specs than the BK, but it's not adjustable and requires more effort to get up and running.

I haven't looked into cheap stuff from overseas or expensive bench supplies. There are other options like the Keysight E3617A if you go used.

 

I really wonder if Monoprice will make an LPS upgrade.

Although on one hand it says, "The supplied power supply is just okay," they also can make another sale in the deal if structured correctly. I mean other companies like Pro-ject have upgrade paths/accessories, and how many headphone rigs are "upgraded" with pads, cables, tubes, etc?

So I think it is pretty well accepted and of one does not feel they need it, they don't have to by it.

 

Some useful info from the man himself (Alex Cavalli) on Head-Fi:

On Linear Power Supplies:

• "As you guys think on linear supplies, note that you will need 36V 1.5A. The platinum runs about 650mA at idle."
• Later, responding to to a question about using two iFi PSUs in series: "I can't say that it won't work, I just suggest that you be really careful what you do. Do not exceed 36.5V under any circumstances."

Also, he provided a picture of the Liquid Platinum board that was at the recent CanJam:

 

@Luckbad You should get the BK Precision because it will work with your current MCTH too.

 

I may or may not have 3 (notably inexpensive) vintage linear power supplies right now, all of which work with both.



You can tell it's vintage because it's in black and white. Currently powering both the MCTH and ADI-2 DAC.

 

Can't see your pic.

 

^ Same issue as above

 

I picture @Luckbad in a room with some guys and a few gals like the rest of us seated on metal folding chairs in a circle. The smell of coffee that has been kept warm just a few minutes too long. “Hi, my name is Luckbad, and I’m a gear slut.”

A chorus of “hello Luckbad. Welcome.”

 

I was impressed by the power input of Spark, how come it uses more power than liquid platinum? I see platinum is using 36V/1.0A adapter while Spark is using 36V/1.5A.

 

Power rating on the adapter does not necessarily equal power requirements of the amplifier. If an amplifier only needs 200 mA try finding an SMPS that delivers only 200 mA. The rated SMPS selection probably has to do with what was available at a given price for a given run of SMPS by the vendor.

 

Ok, Spark uses 36V adapter which is higher than CTH(28V) and LCX(30V if I remember correctly), does it mean Spark has higher output power than CTH or LCX? I'm very interested in it and probably get one once it available.

 

I will know if and when I measure one. But it would be fair to guess that output Vpp might be higher on the Spark than the MCTH. Whether it has the current capacity to handle more power for given load R will require testing. But think about this. 36 Vpp is only 2.18 dB more than 28 Vpp. Does 2 dB more sound level reserve capacity matter that much? Depends on the rest of the chain involved.

 

This seems like a very interesting release and I might give it a shot. I'm not too familiar with having external power supplies on amps. I think I would pay more to have one enclosed unit like the previous Cavalli amps.

 

Yep, you would pay more. It would also have to be larger and would likely be laid out differently to prevent noise.

I too was a little annoyed that it lacked a nice internal power supply. Luckily, there are many options for external PSUs that will be a nice upgrade that aren't too costly.

 

Monoprice site is now showing an ETA date of 10/1/18.

I've now activated my family's Plan B for Father's Day gift to me.

 

That's a very extended ETA. I was debating picking one up to try it but by October I will most likely be settled in with a new amp. (hopefully)

 

I think the ETA was end of June and it's changed again... Maybe they are collecting more potential customers.

 

Doubt that. Production setbacks more likely.