Monolith Headphone Amp and DAC with THX AAA Technology: High value, minor flaws

Today’s laptops and smart devices pack lots of performance and high tech. Their audio prowess, however, often leaves something to be desired. The biggest shortcomings typically lie with their onboard amplification and the DACs that convert a digital signal to analog. As audio enthusiasts with premium headphones know all too well, these deficiencies can rob their headphones of peak performance.

Monoprice’s $279.99 Monolith Portable Headphone Amplifier and DAC aims to address those shortcomings while providing gobs of power, an advanced DAC, and adding premium features in a small package.

METEORIC RISE ONTO THE AUDIO SCENE

Monoprice blasted onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere years ago, selling high-value, high-performance HDMI cables. At the time, Monoprice shattered the market held by ridiculously priced HDMI cables.

Thanks to some nudging from audio enthusiasts within the company, Monoprice then launched a line of high-performance, high-value audio gear under the Monolith brand. The Monolith, a seven-channel 200-watt-per-channel amplifier whose price and performance left me awe-struck.