Monolith 133304 Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier - by Alex Cavalli with RCA Input, Single 1/4 Output 1.3Watt@50R, 108Db

Amp was great, when it worked. Every game I played it would cut off randomly (led would go red) and then it would come back a few seconds later. I assumed maybe the volume was too high, or it did not like my DAC. I switched everything, tried again, same. I was willing to accept that, because music sounded awesome with it... Then it cut out while playing certain songs. I got a replacement, and sure enough, same thing. Overall I had an awful experience with this product, going to have to move on to something else. Update : Went with the JDS Atom and it's night and day. Sound quality is noticably better than the liquid spark, and I have had no cutout issues... And it cost less than the Spark.

I love the sound that comes from this headphone amp. However, I went through two of these and they both eventually failed. The sound eventually became extremely distorted and staticy.

The first unit that I purchased had some issues at first wit not passing the full sound stage through but just started to work after some time, these issues started again and would not go away so I issued a replacement that did the exact same thing but crapped out even sooner. What is so frustrating is that this amp sounds good when it works. -side note If a product does not work properly it is as good as garbage

This new item was clearly used (see picture) when it should have been new! Given the Monolith box had a hole cut out from the front, let alone the internal boxes had also been opened and the amp was dirty, I can't imagine who in shipping/quality control thought that shipping a box with a square hole cut out of the front was a good idea in the first place. This is unfortunate, as my understanding is that the amp is a great product, but this experience has not left me a good impression of Monolith.

I would like to return this product, but unfortunately my DAC (Topping D10) did not arrive until recently and it fell out of the return policy by 2 days. The protective circuit trips at even 50% with gain off, shutting off the sound for a few seconds, making it beyond frustrating to use. Two days out of the return policy before this issue developed quickly and is only worsening (it's essentially unusable now). Might reach out to Monoprice support but from what I've heard that will be a hassle, despite the year warranty. Pick up a JDS Atom instead, as I plan to. For reference, headphones are HE-4XX.

So no matter what set of headphone I use at higher volumes especially in bass heavier music the amp will shut itself down. I understand that its probably some sort of protection mode. But Im not trying to drive super high impedance headphones just running some EL-8 open backs and HE-4XX, disappointing kinda wish i would have just grabbed another Shiitt Hersey that thing will run full tilt 24/7.

Cuts off for a couple seconds, definitely not built to last get something else if thats what you are looking for

I have been buying headphone amps since the Creek OBH11 came out,in 2003, (which was a disaster)...and have graduated to the O2, (meh)... and from that to the Cavalli Massdrop CTH tube hybrid (sweet and smooth tube-like warmth)...a few DAC/amps of various brands..and on to the Schiit Jotunheim (still a reference for me)...until I decided to check out the latest versions of amps that sell for around $100.00. I bought the Schiit Magni 3+...the Schiit Heresey....and the Cavalli designed Liquid Spark prodced by Monoprice. I am amazed by what fine quality now comes in these small packages!! As a long time speaker designer and builder, I love hearing music through different systems, and comparing the sound of different transducers and components in the payback chain. so... I conducted extensive listening, on each amp, with three headphones of my choice, The Audeze 2 Closed, The Sennheiser Amperior, and the Audeze LCD X, to a wide variety of music from CDs after all the headphone amps had burned in for about 100 hours. I compared five headphone amps, the two small Schiit amps, (Heresy & Magni3+)... (the two Alex Cavalli amps, (the CTH & the Liquid Spark)...and my long-time standard, the Schiit Jotunheim, which is by far the most costly of these amps, using a Schiit Bifrost DAC fed S/PDIF optically from a Yamaha CD changer. Three amps were simultaneously connected on identical cables, (from WBC), to that wonderful DAC. I realize this is not a scientific study with double blind tests. I realize I have personal biases concerning sonic preferences, and music, as does everyone. I have a home recording studio with good gear, and I record mix, and master both acoustic and electronic music. I have been doing this for decades (5) and still have good hearing (so grateful!), for a guy my age. That said my ears roll off at 14Khz now...but it happens so gradually, you think you still hear everything (lol). I do like to ask others of their opinions on sound, and read a lot of reviews on equipment, (and see and hear them)....yep ...hooked.:-) Cutting to the chase, purely subjectively, here are my findings; 1) Jotunheim barely retains first place, but only wins in its balanced mode, which is unfair due to the fact the other amps are not balanced, and are a fraction of Jotunheim's price. If I were to rate these amps strictly in S.E mode the Jotunheim would tie witrh the Liquid Spark on these headphones. If your cans are not efficient or harder to drive, the Jotunheim would rule here with its huge power, even in SE mode. 2) Liquid Spark, when using the cans I had, and comparing all SE, ties the Jotunheim! It excels in detail presentation, resolution, sound staging and space, lack of grain or glare, solid punch, low bass, airy highs, and musical presentation in general in all music types. I think this amp would pair well with headphones with well balanced frequency responses. Bass shy, overly bright headphones ,(I won't mention names), might sound best with the Cavalli CTH, with its warm smooth character and broad imaging. 3) Schiit Magni 3+ is a winner I could be entirely happy to live with as my only amp, if I hadn't heard and lived with the Liquid Spark, that is. The Schiit has a slightly warmer and ever-so-slightly smoother sound signature that is powerful and dynamic, but not as refined or transparent as the Monolith To sum up, the best of these four amps, used single ended, is the Liquid Spark, hands down. Follow the directions for use that come with it, and be patient with burn-in , and give this amp time to mellow (and it does beautifully). It will reward you with superb sound. The Liquid Spark runs quite warm, as does the Schiit Magni 3+, but the Heresy doesn't. That is all I wish to say about the Heresy. It left me cold.