The Monolith 7X200 arrived yesterday. It's a heavy 106 pound box delivered and 93 pounds once the amp is removed. Monoprice packed it really well. It's a rugged piece with these vents on the
bottom, sides and top. It heats up quickly so I'm giving it room to breath.
I connected the Fronts, Center, Surrounds and Front Heights to the Monolith 7X. Then, connected Rear Heights, Rear Surrounds and the VMPS dual Tallboy sub to the Adcom GFA-7000. This 12 channel ext. amp config allows the Denon 4700 to be setup in "pre-amp mode" (none of the receiver amps are active). By having all the front channels on the Monolith 7X I can run stereo mode or Auro-3D without turning on the Adcom. Or turn on the Adcom to add the back channels for movies.
Previously, I had used the Adcom or the Denon 4700 internal amps to power the Sierra Towers. Once the Monolith 7X was installed 75db was easy to reach with a 55 volume level on the Denon 4700. I know amps aren't suppose to make a difference but the sound is thick and ballsy and highs seem a little more crisp. To the point the Sierra Towers seem brighter than when using the 17 year old Adcom GFA-7000.
The one drawback I see with the Monolith 7X is the front 3/4" blue neon power switch that stays on all thru my music session. Initially, I put a post-it note on it and that worked. Then, I cut a round circle out of black electrical tape and stuck it on the light. Now I can see a little blue when it's on without a blue glowing headlight.
If you are looking for power, the Monolith 7X has it in spades. It allows my 4700 to stay relatively cool without using the internal amps. The unit is heavy so plan accordingly. You'll want it on a bottom shelf that's open for heat dissipation and don't plan to move that furniture after placing 93 pounds on it.
The Monolith7 speaker connections accept dual banana plugs. In fact, it seems built for them. They provide an excellent connection with the Monolith. The ports are super solid and the amp is built like a tank. The front power button simply puts the unit to sleep. It has a rear power switch to turn it off. Using it with a healthy power strip can also do the job of turning it off if you don't want to reach around the back.
My only concern is if the Monolith 7X fails, how would I carry it out of the basement during the 5 year warranty replacement period? Then, I realize - sometimes you have to forget about what could be and enjoy the NOW! AND this amp is definitely a HUGE step up for my Sierra Towers! Tons of punch and more power than I will ever use.
