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  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.
  16. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

    Looks like my car is good to go now. A couple friends of mine might stop by since they live in the area. They're pretty new to headphone stuff but have dealt with me and my hobby for a while now.
  17. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

    Go figure, I bring my car into the shop today. They call me later saying it's done. I pick it up and immediately realize they didn't fix the issue (groaning noise). So they're going to look again tomorrow. Not what I wanted to hear for Saturday. :/ It's still likely they'll get it done tomorrow...
  18. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

    Well, this is inconvenient, but I have to take my car into the shop tomorrow. It should be an relatively quick repair, but I don't feel comfortable driving up to Denver without getting it looked at first. It should be ready to go by Friday, but, worst case scenario, I won't be able to make it or...
  19. hans030390

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

      I'm curious where you got this rule that more components and larger boards = harder to make transparent. I'm also wondering if your idea of "transparent" is different than how others describe transparent (and it probably is).
  20. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

      I've been talking with him, and I don't think he'll have one ready to loan me for the meet.
  21. hans030390

    2015 Denver CO summer meet 6/27

    Some updates on the gear I'll be bringing. Additions, removals, modifications...just going to update it as one repost.   DAC: - Audial Model S (MkII, SPDIF version) - Starting Point TDA1543 NOS DAC...if I can remember. It's a cheapy DAC.   Amp: - Schiit Valhalla 2 w/ NOS, Vintage...
  22. hans030390

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

      Oh, in relation to my last message, also curious what source you fed these DACs with....I'm assuming some sort of USB->SPDIF converter. (Not trying to imply something wasn't up to par, just curious for my own reasons.)
  23. hans030390

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

      You said Model S MK I, right? I'm sure the the gains between I and II are very small, but worth considering. Either way, not sure what the Audiomeca is running in terms of DAC chips/modules, but based on what I've read about the SFD MKII and what I know about or have personally heard with...
  24. hans030390

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

      TDA1541A is a solid chip. The hard part is finding a truly good implementation of it to maximize its potential, from what I've read. I've also heard some say the digital filter it was originally and still usually paired with may not be super spectacular. Also, don't leave the TDA1541A on all...
  25. hans030390

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

    What source are you using to feed the DACs, and what amps and headphones or speakers are you using for comparison?
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