Monoprice Monolith 7-Channel Amplifier Review

[Mitchibo]

I'm curious if any Monolith fans here noticed any difference in sound? I added the 7 for heat and power reasons. And go...

 

[Pogre]

Things are just, more stable at higher volumes now. Honestly I don't really notice any sonic improvements aside from that. It doesn't hurt that it looks badass sitting on my entertainment stand (which I had to reinforce to hold the beast). I've warmed it up s few times but I've yet to feel it get HOT on the surface.

I've been considering getting a fan for it (not enough clearance on top to dissipate heat), but I dont know if I want to suck all the dust into it.

 

[Mitchibo]

I had to put a middle support block under my cabinet too. I've run it hard but, with a few 4 inch Airplates it does just fine. You won't pull much dust in as the fans only run occasionally. I still have to keep the Denon cool as it runs the Atmos and the bookshelves.

 

[Glenv6]

So the Monolith is going to be re-released soon with XLR inputs, but it's not going to be fully balanced. Is it worth buying at this price point or would the Outlaw 7700 that is fully balanced with the same power rating be the better amplifier even though it is around $600 more expensive?

 

[slipperybidness]

So the Monolith is going to be re-released soon with XLR inputs, but it's not going to be fully balanced. Is it worth buying at this price point or would the Outlaw 7700 that is fully balanced with the same power rating be the better amplifier even though it is around $600 more expensive?

Do you NEED balanced inputs, or fully balanced design?

Likely not. Unless you have long cable runs.

 

[RichB]

I like balanced cables and they have in the past reduced hum that may come from the rat's nest of cables. The amp does not have to be fully balanced for that benefit.

The Monolith is a newer design...

- Rich

 

[Glenv6]

Do you NEED balanced inputs, or fully balanced design?

Likely not. Unless you have long cable runs.

Not now, but I might want to use balanced connects as I upgrade my system. If I buy this amp, I would be buying inferior capability in that area.

Do you currently own a 7x200? If yes, do you like how it sounds?

 

[lovinthehd]

Not now, but I might want to use balanced connects as I upgrade my system. If I buy this amp, I would be buying inferior capability in that area.

Do you currently own a 7x200? If yes, do you like how it sounds?

Ask @Pogre he bought one (the Monolith) not too long ago.

ps LOL then I scrolled up....

 

[Pogre]

Not now, but I might want to use balanced connects as I upgrade my system. If I buy this amp, I would be buying inferior capability in that area.

Do you currently own a 7x200? If yes, do you like how it sounds?

"Inferior" is not a word I would use to describe the Monolith 7. As far as sound, it sounds just fine. It definitely isn't lacking in the power dept either. If you insist on balanced interconnects and it's a sticking point for you then this isn't your amp.

 

[Glenv6]

"Inferior" is not a word I would use to describe the Monolith 7. As far as sound, it sounds just fine. It definitely isn't lacking in the power dept either. If you insist on balanced interconnects and it's a sticking point for you then this isn't your amp.

Honestly I'm not sure yet how important balanced connects are to me. I did however run across a Stereophile review of the Monolith 3 that has me wondering if this is the right amp for me. A majority of my listening is two channel stereo, so I may invest in a more up market two channel amp for serious listening, and a lower cost 5 channel amp, such as the Monolith 5x or the Outlaw 5000 to fill out my surround channels.

 

[lovinthehd]

The value is in the full 7 channel version, not so much for the 2ch/3ch boxes....Stereopile had something bad to say? Have to go check that out....

 

[Mitchibo]

So the Monolith is going to be re-released soon with XLR inputs, but it's not going to be fully balanced. Is it worth buying at this price point or would the Outlaw 7700 that is fully balanced with the same power rating be the better amplifier even though it is around $600 more expensive?

You may or may not notice any difference. It all depends on the whole set-up. If you want to try a monolith on the cheap I have one new-in-box. Shipping error. $1000 bucks or OBO and its yours. Literally still in the shipping box.

 

[RichB]

You may or may not notice any difference. It all depends on the whole set-up. If you want to try a monolith on the cheap I have one new-in-box. Shipping error. $1000 bucks or OBO and its yours. Literally still in the shipping box.

How many channels?

- Rich

 

[Andrein]

I think i saw somewhere that Monoprice updated this amps line and included balansed outputs.

"Inferior" is not a word I would use to describe the Monolith 7. As far as sound, it sounds just fine. It definitely isn't lacking in the power dept either. If you insist on balanced interconnects and it's a sticking point for you then this isn't your amp.

 

[Glenv6]

The value is in the full 7 channel version, not so much for the 2ch/3ch boxes....Stereopile had something bad to say? Have to go check that out....

I wouldn't call their review bad, however the conclusion the reviewer reached speaks to my desire to buy an amp that is more suited to my taste.

I'm sure this amp is every bit the home theater beast other reviewers say it is, I'm just concerned that it just won't fulfill my goal. Link is below....

https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-83-ati-monoprice-3-channel-amplifiers-page-2

 

[Glenv6]

I think i saw somewhere that Monoprice updated this amps line and included balansed outputs.

Yes, the new version will have balanced inputs, however from what I can glean from the Monoprice website it will not be "fully balanced".

Balancing only the input stage means the balanced signal is then processed and fed into a single-ended stage, introducing an additional stage in the signal path. Is that technique good, bad or indifferent? There is much debate over the value (from a quality and a cost perspective) of balancing the signal path for home audio at all, let alone balancing only the input stage. I'm new to this site, but there must be a thread about it in the audioholics forums somewhere.

 

[PENG]

Yes, the new version will have balanced inputs, however from what I can glean from the Monoprice website it will not be "fully balanced".

Balancing only the input stage means the balanced signal is then processed and fed into a single-ended stage, introducing an additional stage in the signal path. Is that technique good, bad or indifferent? There is much debate over the value (from a quality and a cost perspective) of balancing the signal path for home audio at all, let alone balancing only the input stage. I'm new to this site, but there must be a thread about it in the audioholics forums somewhere.

There is, at least related articles right here on AH, just do a search. In theory fully balanced (end to end) is better in reducing noise and distortions. In practice, it is highly doubtful one can hear the difference if both amps (fully balanced vs not) are well designed and built. There are more challenges in terms of design and build cost for the fully balanced/truly differential version in ways that would yield the theoretical benefits without adding any negatives, hard to get something for nothing.

 

[Mitchibo]

How many channels?

- Rich

Its the 7 NIB

 

[Pogre]

You may or may not notice any difference. It all depends on the whole set-up. If you want to try a monolith on the cheap I have one new-in-box. Shipping error. $1000 bucks or OBO and its yours. Literally still in the shipping box.

I was wondering if you still had that. That's a smokin' deal. If I hadn't already bought mine...

 

[Mitchibo]

I was wondering if you still had that. That's a smokin' deal. If I hadn't already bought mine...

I guess people think it’s too good to be true. I hope I don’t have to yard sale it!