Does The Monolith THX 887 Sound Better Than The Rupert Neve Headphone Amplifier

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[@BasicYTUser]

I do have the RNHP, and I bought it blind from US and ship it to Hong Kong. The amp is okay. I got a story though. I have a VERY sensitive IEM, and you will hear the noise floor loud. When Neve came to HK to promote their new line in an Audio Expo, I happened to have my IEM with me. The GM on the roadshow, heard it with their new amp, hear the noise, and then I sent them an email. A month later, they shipped me a replacement power brick and solved the issue, probably with their future amp as well. That's great customer service

[@zaleskar]

Hey, new sub here! Love your no bullshit approach to audio products. May I ask what you'd consider a good complement to the AKG K712s for around $350? Ever listened to them? They have a really wide stage (which is mostly what I bought them for, I game a lot and I like that "immersive" feeling) but the sound signature is kinda off, especially in the mids. Easily fixable by EQ though. I'm also running them underpowered as I'm using a shitty SMSL M3 dac/amp but I'm waiting for an Atom to be delivered soon. Do you think something like the 6XX would be a good complement? Intimate and neutrally boring? Basically what I'm looking for is a can for gaming/fun which I think my K712s do a great job of, and a can for pure music enjoyment, which I would assume the 6XX would nail with their warm signature.

[@NoThemeReviews]

Welcome aboard. I had the K712 for a few years; they weren't my favorite but I understand what you mean. The HD6xx is an excellent option and does what you just said. The Base Audio G12 is also a good option--though the earpads might be an issue. The Meze 99 Classics is a brilliant warm-sound headphone; as is the Marshall Monitor, and Master and Dynamic MH40. None of these provide excellent detail, but sound smooth with intimate soundstage (except for the G12, which has above average soundstage).

[@dentboxhero1717]

The answer to why the Neve opt for the mainstream 6.35mm HP output is it's a pro audio tool where they keep the stock termination of monitoring headphones which is a 6.35mm.

[@mikesanders80]

My thinking is that for mixing and mastering the 887 would be slightly more neutral since the signal passes through a transformer in the rnhp, any transformer will colour the sound....

[@pronewbofficial]

Your editing toward the end was pretty rough. But otherwise, your audio sounds good and I like your review

[@RaiseYourFamily]

great review! do you think this amp pair well with Audeze LCD2 Classic?thanks!

[@NoThemeReviews]

Yes, absolutely

[@xyanide1986]

I demo'd it with the LCD2f, it's an awesome amp. Personally I much prefer this more dynamic sound over the thx stuff (I sold my 789). If you're a bit of a planar basshead though you might wanna try something else. If you're mostly into acoustic and neutral listening music this thing is a no brainer with that pairing.

[@BillKinsman]

The new version of the Neve headphone amplifier is $1200 and has identical specifications, so I doubt if it is more than twice as good.

[@NoThemeReviews]

It’s got wood. Definitely worth 2x for the 70s nostalgia

[@lextr3110]

so what is your best heapdhone amp? the one you would bring on an island..

[@NoThemeReviews]

Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies 2nd Gen with its tube power supply. Hands down the smoothest and most unique amp/Dac I have ever seen and heard.

[@wagstaff6135]

I guess it depends which forum you frequent.... I see a lot of hype for the RNHP, no one is thinking it 'must not be as good' as the THX amps -- quite the opposite hype, in fact; though I see the claim that this matter with the Focal Clears, say, where it doesn't with the Elex. See... you need a really GOOD set for the advantages to make themselves apparent.... I am skeptical (to say the least) but I was hoping you'd use the Clears. I see a LOT of Grado-bashing... Anyway, that you come up with "probably indistinguishable" is what I might have expected. Glad you went through the exercise for us, though!

[@NoThemeReviews]

Ah, now I remember you did ask for the Clear. I’m sorry I forgot! I was listening to the Grado and just plugged it in.

[@wagstaff6135]

@@NoThemeReviews No biggie. I just asked for the reasons stated -- I bet you'd have the same result, personally. (As I am sure you would also surmise!)

[@ron2291]

Out of curiosity do you have any suggestions for wide as fuck bass cannons that are closed back? I use an XDuoo plus portable so powering it isn't an issue but I'm thinking going with the argon mkiii and if you could also suggest an open planar? I am looking for amazing detail in the highs with great sound stage and with a focus on imaging. Price for closed is 500 bucks and open planar I would like to stay under 1,000 but if it's a little over and super worth it then I'm down.

[@NoThemeReviews]

Wide as F***K!!!! Well...it's hard (probably impossible) to find a headphone that has wide soundstage and a hard-hitting or boomy bass. I'd stay clear of the Argon's. They're good, but not detail oriented. And the power required to drive them is frustrating. You'll notice that the xDuoo might not be able to drive the Argon's to their full potential--either because the power output is not linear or because as the battery drains the less efficient the amp will be. As for options: the Base Audio G12 has average to above-average soundstage with a slightly elevated bass. It's surprisingly good in this regard, especially for the price. I have a video on the 12. The 1More Triple Driver headphones have excellent bass slam and clarity. It has a treble boost that might be painful for some. Speaking of pain, the headphones are on-ear and fairly uncomfortable, especially since you can't change the earpads. I'm currently reviewing the Rane RH-2; it has excellent bass emphasis, clear mids, and average detail retrieval. It's cheap. I have a video on this as well. The Audio Technica WS100iS Solid Bass are actually pretty good for closed back with impactful bass and clarity. Soundstage is average, but for the price, a definite contender against the 1More...especially since the Audio Technica are immensely more comfortable. Of course, if you want the king of closed back bass, I have yet to hear anything exactly like the Fostex TH900 Mk2. It has excellent bass presentation, clarity, and above-average detail retrieval. For planar recommendations: Sundara are a good option, though not bass boomy; the Audeze LCD XC has very impactful, resolving bass with above-average detail; the ZMF Atticus is another option, similar to the XC.

[@ron2291]

Thanks for the detailed response. I appreciate you taking the time to type all that out. I wasn't worried about power cause I also use a smsl sp-200 at home so between portable and home use I should be fine. I wish there was hifi meets near where i live -_- but anyway thank you again, I have been looking into the fostex more (least familiar with those)

[@llysender]

The problem with what you are asking for for closed backed wide bass cannon is that only the mdr-z1r fits that bill. You can try the ath-a990z which has emphasized and clean bass with wide soundstage but it may not be bassy enough if you are considering argons

[@ron2291]

@@llysender thank you for your suggestion and taking the time for your response. I am basically trying to get a couple of cans that just broadly fit the bill for everything I do. So i was kind of thinking hd 800s for opens ( I heard the sound stage and imaging is godly but if it isn't crazy compared to lcdx I think I would rather go that route ) and then I wanted like great headphones that are closed for when I am out that will shake my head but not be too audible to the outside world.

[@colingordon0986]

Would this amp pair well with a headphone that has 10ohms and can these drive 1.3 W our higher! Thanks

[@NoThemeReviews]

Yes it’ll work fine with any impedance headphones

[@BrandedbySean]

Would it be worth it to upgrade from the schiit heresy to one of these?

[@NoThemeReviews]

I can’t answer that. The Heresy is a very good amplifier. Its THD numbers are lower than you can hear. It is a neutral amp with lots of power. The only advantage any of these THX amps have is gain control and balanced input/output-which isn’t that big a deal. The question really is why do YOU want a THX amp?

[@petermartin9494]

I would take the Neve, just on the basis of reputation and build.

[@djhmax09]

Hate that green light! lol Did you use any other headphones to test with?

[@NoThemeReviews]

During my 2 months with the 887, yes. I've primarily used the LCD-2 Fazor, HD660s, and Base Audio G12.

[@djhmax09]

@@NoThemeReviews cool, I'm curious about the Neve fidelice amplifier and how it compares especially with that price jump. There aren't any videos or article reviews on it at all

[@NoThemeReviews]

@@djhmax09 There are a few videos, but none particularly insightful. Zeos has one, if that helps. There are some forum posts about the amp...but posts are typically unreliable.

[@djhmax09]

@@NoThemeReviews I'm talking about the $1000 one not the $5000. The one that looks like the rnhp but has a more handsome chassis

[@Sams911]

$500 for a hand made in the USA of the best quality components and it's absolutely transparent and linear ... who needs a DAC? you can get a DAC anywhere for a few bucks if you need it. I use this in studio recordings for my Bass guitar and it's indispensable.

[@auro8649]

I think you didn't really get the point of audiophile or hifi stuff with this question lol. Because a 10 dollar DAC is not nearly as good as higher budget dacs