DECEMBER 2019 MACWORLD 127configuration.
The Monolith comes with several options
to fine-tune the sound of your headphones.
There’s PEQ (parametric equalizer) and shelf
EQ, as well as three DAC filters (Normal,
Slow 1, and Slow 2) that adjust the slope of
the high-frequency cutoff. You’ll also find
dynamic range control onboard, which lets
you set the shelving filters. The Monolith’s
feature set and interface for these options is
geared towards the advanced user. For
purposes of this review, I left all these
settings at their factory defaults.
On the headphone side, you’ll find both
1/4-inch and XLR (balanced) outputs. It’s a
real treat to see an XLR headphone input on
a headphone amp at this price point. High-
end headphones, like the Focal Clear and
Focal Stellia I was using during this review,
come with an XLR headphone cable to
connect to high-end headphone amps. Just
note that you can’t use both the balanced
(XLR) and 1/4-inch headphone outputs
concurrently. If you do, the Monolith
automatically mutes the XLR output.
THX AAA TECHNOLOGY
ONBOARD
A major selling point of the
Monolith Desktop Headphone
Amplifier is the use of THX’s AAA
amplifier technology. AAA stands
for “Achromatic Audio Amplifier,” a
moniker implying that the amplifier
does not add any coloration to the sound.
Whether or not that’s true in practice is a
whole different discussion. I’ve been
impressed with AAA-based amplifiers. In
my reference setup, I personally use two
Benchmark AHB2 power amplifiers, which
are based on AAA technology.
THX’s AAA amplifiers use feed-forward
error correction topology to reduce
distortion. The Monolith features two of
THX’s 788 amplifier modules. When you use
the unit’s XLR (balanced) inputs and XLR
headphone output, Monoprice says you get
true balanced operation. In that setup, the
amplifier modules operate in a bridged
configuration, maximizing the power output
to each channel. It’s unusual to find that level
of technology in a $500 package.DIRAC SENSAROUND
Let’s face it, while headphones are great
and convenient, they still can’t compare to
the experience of a free-standing twoThe front display shows you when Dirac is enabled.