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Marlowe
143
Dec 13, 2018
FWIW, Andrew Mason from THX posted on Head-Fi today that he hears a new drop of this amp is imminent. I'm still trying to decide between the THX 789 (if it drops in the near future) or saving for a couple more months and getting the Monoprice Liquid Platinum at exactly double the price.
verifonix
1181
Dec 15, 2018
MarloweThis this this this
MarloweIf you keep following him, he says it's no good. Go with 789, according to him
jaydunndiddit
3262
Dec 18, 2018
BurntheHeadphonekidsYup, after learning they didn't have their hand in either Monoprice units compared to the Massdrop unit says and shows a lot. It feels like a better thought-out, well produced product. The Monoprice units feel phoned in and rushed, especially for the cost. I mean, the 789 with a balanced DAC like the SMSL SU-8 is really the budget setup to beat IMO. Add something like the RME ADI-2 DAC and a tube buffer to the 789 and you arguably have an "endgame" setup without the typical endgame cost. This setup will truly get you 90-95% of the way without spending tens of thousands to get those final little incremental improvements.
Marlowe
143
Dec 18, 2018
BurntheHeadphonekidsSorry if I'm wrong, but I think you confused my post: I was referring to the Monoprice Liquid Platinum not to either of the two new Monoprice THX products (desktop and portable amp/DACs). The Liquid Platinum was designed by Alex Cavalli (based somewhat on his $3K Liquid Crimson) and THX had nothing to do with it and I'm assuming Andrew Mason has not commented on it. FWIW, I am leaning towards the Massdrop THX when it drops again (should be within a week or so). Not only has it garnered universal praise, and the feeling that its price is ridiculously low, but all my amps are tubes (Vahalla 2 and a Little Dot MK III which is not being used ATM) or tube hybrids (CTH), so I'd like a quality SS (I also have a Magni 2U that I'm not using). Several commenters have also noted that the THX pairs better with my my new Focal Elex than the CTH. Also, while the LP has been as least as favorably received as the THX, there seems significant QC issues, which unfortunately seems par for the course for new Monoprice premium products. Plus I have the money for the THX right now but would have to save a couple of more months for the $700 LP (I'm retired on a fixed income and have significant health care costs coming in next month); I blush to admit that, even at my age, I still love that instant gratification.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Dec 18, 2018
MarloweJust to comment on the Elex and CTH, I honestly really enjoy the pairing. With the 789, the Elex are quite resolving and fast. Details and dynamics are not spared. The CTH mellows out the Elex top-end a bit and warms the low-end ever so slightly. Not a lot, but enough to notice and perceive the difference. A lot of people don't like this and proclaim, "bad pairing!" I use them like this, 789 for a clean, fast, dynamic listening session or something more mellow and laid-back with the CTH that is more inviting for just music listening and not analyzing tracks. Best of both worlds, personally. The only thing I don't like that IMO puts the Elex into a next tier is going balanced on the 789. The CTH lacks this and balanced interconnects so that is another shortcoming. But, for the cost of the CTH I can't fault it.
WHO23
106
Dec 20, 2018
MarloweHi, I’m also considering getting a balanced amplifier for my Elex and I’m considering either this [Massdrop THX 789] or the [Monoprice Liquid Platinum]
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