Recent content by hans030390
  1. hans030390

    Monoprice Monolith Liquid Spark - By Alex Cavalli

    I dropped this review in the actual gear section, but figured I'd post it here for convenience as well. Alex Cavalli contacted me directly and asked if I'd like to test and review a production-grade Liquid Spark prior to release, which I was happy to do. It’s a good day for anyone with an...
  2. hans030390

    Review by 'hans030390' on item 'Monolith by Monoprice Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli'

    It’s a good day for anyone with an interest in inexpensive headphone amps! The Liquid Spark, currently available through Monoprice for a penny shy of $100, occupies the same market space as the Schiit Magni 3. I found the Magni 3 to be a great sounding amplifier, and it really set the bar for...
  3. Monolith by Monoprice Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

    Monolith by Monoprice Liquid Spark Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli

    The Cavalli/Monolith Liquid Spark is a compact headphone amplifier which provides nearly everything you’d expect from a Cavalli Design. It is DC coupled from input to output, has plenty of power at 1300mW into 50ohms (each channel), very low distortion, and switchable gain. If you want to be...
    • hans030390
    • Head Gear item
    • cavalli liquid liquid spark monolith monoprice spark
    • Comments: 1
    • Reviews: 2
    • Category: Desktop Amps
  4. hans030390

    Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC: A Discrete Resistor Ladder DAC For $350

    I'll skip the usual introductory stuff about the Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC (referred to as RDAC from here on out). You can read all that stuff on their product page. Though, I will drop a quick note that I dig the slimmer height profile. I really like what Massdrop has going on visually...
  5. hans030390

    Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp (CTH) - Dropping Monday

    Massdrop x Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amplifier Review Massdrop has another very exciting, collaborative product they’ve just announced, the Massdrop x Cavalli Tube Hybrid headphone amplifier. You may recall the CTH used to be a DIY offering from Cavalli. What Massdrop is offering is a highly reworked...
  6. hans030390

    Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC

    I know I don't post around here too often these days, but I got a Level 3 Spring fairly early on. So far so good. I only use it for non-oversampling, PCM purposes. I have absolutey zero interest in DSD, I prefer a non-oversampled sound, and if I do want oversampling, I'm likely to lean towards...
  7. hans030390

    Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)

      Maybe the Audio-GD DAC-19? Unless you're interested in Chinese DACs based off the old Philips TDA chips...but I would not expect particularly good performance out of anything like that, especially TDA1543-based. You might like the tone? A lot of those are also NOS (non-oversampled), which can...
  8. hans030390

    Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)

      What makes you think the Theta is adding coloration? Do you think the Yggy applies as well? What's not to say it's more true to the source and that the DAC1 is the more colored DAC?   I've tested enough DACs that measure near perfectly on static measurements (i.e. an objectivist would tell...
  9. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO Summer Meet #2 (8/22)

    Unfortunately, none of those dates work well for me.
  10. hans030390

    Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)

      I'd say you'd need to compare them in a quiet, familiar environment, such as your own home. Do so with very resolving amps and headphones, the best you can find. The Hex is smooth to the point it will literally gloss over low-level details. It should not be even remotely subtle if you know...
  11. hans030390

    Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)

    Hoping I didn't misunderstand you. While NOS does inherently have more of a roll-off with redbook content (not an issue with higher sampling rates - even then, the NOS roll-off is more of a subtle difference), they usually aren't grainy and can often be wonderfully dynamic. Some suck, some...
  12. hans030390

    6/27/15 Denver CO meet impressions

    Some place in a refrigerator.
  13. hans030390

    6/27/15 Denver CO meet impressions

    Had fun meeting and hanging out with you guys! If I'm a bit, eh, harsh on any criticisms, don't take it personally. Just my brutally honest take, and all of this is personal preference. :) You were all great regardless! And I know not everyone liked all my gear, and that's cool!  ...
  14. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

    Also don't freak out if I'm a bit late. ;)
  15. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

    I am. Also bringing a DIY Pete Millett Butte that I just built tonight with Sparkos labs discrete voltage regulators and opamps. No case yet though.
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