Monolith Balanced DAC & THX-AAA 788 Amp vs SMSL SP200 & RME ADI-2

[@ZeBubba]

If you are going into the analog input of the Monolith and the digital features (EQ etc.) are not bypassed, it means there's two extra conversions happening inside it: analog to digital (ADC) and digital to analog (DAC). So, an external DAC is useless with this product.

[@MidFiGuy]

Hah! You're absolutely right!! I wasted my time with that comparison, it was basically double DAC duty, sighhh. Thanks much for pointing that out.

[@ZeBubba]

@@MidFiGuy No problem.

[@FreeD00M]

So the comparison with the RME is not valid?

[@telebiopic]

Good Reviews Bro. Look forward to your content. Also discovered Yosi Horikawa through you, so two thumbs up to you 👍👍

[@leonardjona]

The dog trick at the end 😂 Nice to see THX getting sum luv on here 🎧

[@csamaras]

Stumbled across your channel while checking out the other youtube usual suspects; really enjoy your takes and appreciate the delivery. Easy sub. I own the Monolith and have it paired (balanced) with a set of Dan Clark Aeon 2 Closed, perfect setup for the office or crowded listening space. Interesting that they're planars like the Arya (albeit quite a bit less $$$). Also, I'd tell you I didn't fall in love with Vibin' Out by FKJ... but I'd be a damned liar.

[@paulloader8614]

I have an RME DAC and low impedance Meze 109 Pro. For sound quality alone would I expect an improvement if I added an amp like the SMSL SP200, SH9 or Monolith? It’s not easy to get a listen here in the UK without simply buying to find out. Great channel by the way and I’m subscribed 👍

[@olimphus26]

Some people get too hung up on measurements, "BuT tHe ToTaL hArMoNiC DiStOrTiOn Is HigHeR oN tHiS aMp Reeee." Eventhough in the real world it makes absolutely no difference.

[@PhotoTerco]

I see a lot of people loving the Arya they sound amazing they really do! but the construction of that headphone is soo cheap that after a long period of use (my was 7-8 months) the headband start making a horrible noise like a old chair and after a second replaced headband I sold them, if you believe in value these are not wort it, previously I had Edition X V2 and one of the drivers fail and stop working I personally hate the company now haha, hopefully after all the success that they are archiving right now they can come with a better mechanics for headband and better materials. I follow your channel for a like week and I was waiting for your review on the Arya to maybe comment on that one but after see you talking about the Arya in this video (You sounded like me when I got them) I decide to share my experience that you maybe can mention on that problem in your future review because none of the reviewers on youtube say anything only Max Setting on his review on the Arya, he mention "This particular unit have this horrible noise" (Min 7:00) It doesn't sound to bad but with the time is getting worst to the point that I couldn't move my head around because the whole headphone start making that noise. Love your channel man! Easy and fun to watch, hopefully you can grown fast. Cheers!

[@MidFiGuy]

Thanks for your kind and candid words! I know what you mean about the creaking and I'll go into detail about all the things you mentioned in the next video. I've had mine for a little over a year now and my opinion on them hasn't switched too much, but yea I know they're not perfect. IMHO you can get about 70-80% of the Arya performance with the Sundara and a solid amplifier.

[@telebiopic]

Ditto experience.

[@vlad973]

Great content, your channel will rise in no time!

[@7nage]

hi, i have a sennheiser 6xx and planning to buy a monolith - do i need to buy any external chords alongside it, are they required? great video btw!

[@thang1742]

Im liking the monolith line up, good qualtiy stuff without the heavy pricing compared to competitors. I was thinking of going the desktop monolith and portable monolith do you think both of these can drive 200 ohm headphones easily. I kind of want a one quick soloution thats good out the box without having to constantly upgrade and have many dacs. Another one im starting to fall for is the oppo ha1 dac its huge but heard it has some humming im sure its high quality as well 1k

[@MidFiGuy]

I haven't tried the portable Monolith personally but I can definitely vouch for the desktop model. 200 ohms is not problem for it, you won't be disappointed at all

[@ZeBubba]

Alla ögon på mig = all eyes on me. It's swedish - thanks for a cool review from Finland!

[@slerched]

I don't need EQ in my DAC/AMP. I use JRiver which gives me crazy control where and when I want it. It's nice to be there if you don't want to control at the source end but not necessary for all use cases.

[@jdavis234]

Agree with the 6xx / thx combo but, man, I feel like the 6xx is almost too smoothed out. I use it for some rock, only for that reason. Maybe my newish pair haven’t “broken in.” Really love this amp on planars with classical / jazz.

[@jumaaadel53]

Does anybody have shelf eq settings for the HD6XX Headphones Please?

[@dopamining7621]

Thanks for this, but 8:10 you cannot bypass the DAC in the monolith, and you cannot compare its amplifier to the others, because every signal goes through ADC.

[@nunoferraz5426]

Own the 788...bought the topping D90.... D90 with A90 is insanely better.

[@darekzmarek1842]

Whats the best headphones for Metal (Trash, Black, Death) music??

[@samgh7166]

Hi there. I am a fan of black, thrash and old school metal like judas priest. If you haven't try the Audeze LCD-2 Classic (open back), try it. I have paired it with a Fostex HP-A4BL(balanced cable). It sounds amazing, Bathory, darkthrone, batushka, mayhem, venome, celtic frost, mienenwerfer, chaos moon, gorgoroth and sodum have never sounded better to my ears.

[@dagu2105]

Have you tried the Schiit Jotunheim 2? If so, any thoughts on the Jotunheim vs your other amps?

[@cirotube74]

which of the unbalanced sp200 and balanced monolith has the best sound quality?

[@cirotube74]

which one among the 3 amps offers the most sound quality?

[@MidFiGuy]

SP200 is definitely the best value. If you have it and get the itch to upgrade, or want try another sound then a used V280 is a great bet.

[@johnellison3173]

Great review. Subscribed 👍

[@Geenrem]

What dac+amp combo would you recommend which is available in europe? I cant get my hands on the monolith

[@nothingelse1520]

I have the RME ADI-2 FS and SMSL SP200, I replaced it with the Schiit Midgard.

[@TheGrammarOfDesign]

Did you try/like Dirac Sensaround?

[@rahmadanisakti]

Output to balance speaker monitor?

[@Maver1ck911]

What's your stand? (DAC/Amp stand) Also even harmonics vs odd harmonics distortion with bad Delta Sigma implantation vs tubes is totally different. It's interesting you're comparing all sorts of solid states but don't talk about the connections/sample rates/DSD/DSP/Filters. At the end if the day, the head room, I/O and filters/sample rate combo is the only differences

[@LuminatX]

Have you tried the Drop 789?

[@MartinLeschinski]

Thank you for another great Video! Really enjoy your take on reviews. As RME ADI 2 DAC, THX AAA 789 owner and Cayin and Violectric 281 fan ... I can very much relate to your topics. Everybody with an Arya and some ZMF's - quite similar to my taste, which is import to be able to relate to. Sorry for my bad german-english :) You really need more subscribers. A small suggestion, if you don't mind: visit the headphones.com forum and find the friendliest place on the internet. Very respectfull, friendly and knowledgeable grown ups. Here you get your reviews shared, to a yet small though bigger audience. Looking forward to your next content! Have a good time Martin

[@MidFiGuy]

You got it! And you have great taste :D I'll check out the site you mention too, thank you!

[@pistolero2k9]

Hi Martin, ich kann mich aktuell nicht entscheiden, ob ich den Monolith oder den REM ADI 2 kaufen soll. Hast du eine Empfehlung und mit welchen KH nutzt du die beiden? VG aus Düsseldorf

[@MartinLeschinski]

@@pistolero2k9 Hallo P2k9 Der RME den ich noch habe, ist mit dem AKM Chip. Wenn du den RME noch damit bekommen kannst ganz klar lieber den. Ich nutze das HEDDphone, Focal Elegia, Sennheiser 58x/6xx, DT 1990 Pro und 770 Pro 80 Ohm

[@pistolero2k9]

@@MartinLeschinski Danke dir, gibt es denn etwas am neunen ESS Chip auszusetzten? Bin neu in dem Hobby. Hab im übrigen auch die Elegia hier und der 6XX ist unterwegs zu mir. thx und vg

[@nicktan4530]

fuk I love your setup and gear. Are those your headphones,, because for some reason each design complement together if that make sense. Also, I like you amp stand and wonder where you get it.

[@jeffpera7930]

The RME a waste of money? You really don't think the RME is a serious upgrade from the THX?

[@MidFiGuy]

I suppose I should have worded that better, you're the second person that asked about it. I meant if you already have the Monolith there's no need to upgrade the DAC with an external one, even if it's the RME. My bad

[@jeffpera7930]

@@MidFiGuy Thank you for the response. I have not heard the Monolith but I would imagine the dac in the RME is much better than the Monolith since the RME amp is not its strong suit.

[@mclement052164]

I own both this Monoprice THX AAA DAC AMP and the RME ADI2 FSR DAC. The RME can sound a bit analytical sometimes. Fortunately that can be toned down with the EQ. The RME user interface is a PITA to work with. Definitely not intuitive. The Monoprice never sounds analytical. With balanced cable/XLR, it is no way thinner sounding. My RME parametric EQ only adjusts +/- 6db just like the monolith. The RME EQ can be set uniquely for each channel. If you have high freq hearing loss in 1 ear, but not the other, you can EQ for that. I would agree, that if you already have the Monolith , most people wouldnt need the RME. I think the RME would pair exceptionally well with a high quality tube amp. The monolith has DIRAC II surround. In most cases, its hit/miss- leaning towards miss. BUT with a pair of HD800S listening to classical symphony music, its heavenly. Agreed on HD6XX and a monolith amp, great combination. But with the EQ it can make almost any headphone sound great.

[@gordonfreeman4491]

"Alla ögon på mig" is Swedish and means "All eyes on me"

[@MidFiGuy]

Ahh thank you! Good to know!

[@TheFijianGuy]

Is it a Sony Z1R? :D

[@MidFiGuy]

Great guess :D

[@MWeston2]

@@MidFiGuy If it is, you are really trying to copy my headphone collection. ;) My daughter watched this video with me and said "daddy, those look like your headphones".

[@saadi703]

Great Video, love it.

[@RealSteveEyes]

What's the best headphones under $2000 for hip hop and r&b?

[@morespinach9832]

Beyerdynamic DT 770

[@Jake_34]

Don’t listen to the dumbass saying the dt 770 lol

[@Foral1000]

Audeze LCD-X aren't they ;D

[@MidFiGuy]

Another good guess :)

[@MWeston2]

@@MidFiGuy Even though pixelated, they looked kinda flat so I was thinking Aeon 2.

[@lelemetal1]

Sou do Brasil. Eu gostaria de ver um tour pelo seu sistema!

[@lonestar1664]

I want to buy Arya but cant decide to use SP200 with my Hugo2 or buy the Monolith, what is your advice and opinion.

[@MidFiGuy]

You have a Hugo 2 and are contemplating using the DAC in the Monolith? I would stick with your current setup unless you're not a fan of Chord products.

[@lonestar1664]

@@MidFiGuy I understood Arya is very power hungry and Hugo may be not sufficient to drive them to their full potential that's why looking to add an Amp which has at least 3 watts unless Arya can be driven with Hugo 2 alone.

[@TheYuhasz01]

Useful review of components you actually use. I find this type of video only of value if it reflects your character and personal listening experiences. Just adjust your lighting to be more diffused and have a different table cloth( dark components on dark cloth looses details of images)

[@MidFiGuy]

Thank you! I'm not sure how I can diffuse my lighting from my kit but I will do research online about it. I'll also use a white table cloth in the next video. Much appreciated for the tips!

[@3-y86]

I hate open back headphones , semi open and closed are best for me

[@soulfulfool]

guess I like to listen my music loud with all details but thx 887 barely can run 250 ohm so if I wanted 600 ohm HP for my pleasure it cant run them loud enough, thats sad story

[@thelastrhino2581]

Nice review. Great set up and approach. But 7:05 - "big waste of money". What? You describe yourself in the following 2-3 minutes how much more capable the RME is. One can't even compare the quality of the implementation, interface, options of the RME to the Monolith. I just found that statement surprising and not in tune with what you know to be the case.

[@MidFiGuy]

I meant if you already have the Monolith I wouldn't buy the RME on top of that. I think the ADI-2 by itself is an amazing unit and it's staying with me!

[@thelastrhino2581]

@@MidFiGuy Oh, I see. But people can always sell gear. Even if someone owns the Monolith, it's a clear buy the RME and sell the Monolith. Unless one never uses features like EQ, and even then I would, as you do, question the DAC implementation on the Monolith. Anyway, great review, fresh perspective and approach.

[@itsabodh]

I know for sure those are Audeze headphones

[@cernus2279]

RME ADI 2 DAC V2 is having one single AKM4493

[@freeza1987kl]

I wont say keep up the good work cuz i dont want to u feel obliged to keep reviewing stuff for the sake of maintain an audience.....I really like your reviews....its well structured....has good pacing...minimal BS.... I guess what i want to say is....please stay around and dont burn your selfout by doing too much reviews.

[@rahoolification]

third!

[@bravevideos]

first!

[@qizhuoshen7791]

second!

[@masterazlan6999]

Dun waste ur time with bulky system Just buy Q5S TC thats extinct nowdays..peace!