You get a respectable selection of outputs as well, includes both single-end and balanced outputs. However, you also have access to RCA, XLR, AES3, TOSLINK S/PDIF, and Coaxial S/PDIF inputs at varying resolutions. Your primary input will likely be USB-B, through which it supports both DSD and PCM formats. The Monolith 124459 also supports basically every digital and analog input that is worth having, making it one of the most versatile amp DACs we reviewed as well. You will very likely end up back at the stock sound because it is that solid. The system does have some EQ settings and a Dirac Sensaround mode, but these are more for playing around than anything else. The Monolith 124459 makes the kind of difference in playback that you have to hear to believe. But talking about audio quality in this way can seem vacuous at times so let me leave it at this. When people complain that the audio is actually too flat and clear, that’s when you know you’ve done a truly exceptional job. And I am happy to report that 99% of music listeners will be able to enjoy their favorite tracks with virtually no colorization or distortion from the Monolith 124459. When it comes to digital-to-analog conversion, the end-goal is to have nothing to talk about. Yes, there are stacks out there that use the newer (and objectively better) THX 789 amplifier, but considering the price-to-performance ratio, the Monolith 124459 is the king of the middle price range, and reasonably the last solid-state amp you’ll ever need to buy. That means you can crank the gain to eardrum-shattering levels before you even begin to hear a notion of distortion (depending on your headphones). These stereo amp modules use THX AAA to deliver linear amplification with infinitesimally low levels of noise, distortion, and power consumption. Simply put: the Monolith 124459 is the best DAC/amp combo I’ve found that doesn’t totally break the bank.Īnd while the internal dual AK4493 DACs are certainly something to talk about, the feature that truly sets this unit apart from the competition is its dual AAA-788 amplifier modules. This device’s minimalist design translates directly into its sound signature, which is clinically clean and flat when it comes to recreating lossless audio. While you likely know Monoprice for their value-oriented cables, they also make some solid audio gear including the Monolith 124459 Desktop Amp/Dac. Inputs: MicroUSB, Coaxial S/PDIF, TOSLINK S/PDIF, 3.5 mm And while it may be an expensive choice for someone who doesn’t yet own a DAC or an amp, skipping past the entry-level options will leave you with little reason to upgrade for a long, long time. The insanely low signal-to-noise ratio of the DAC chip ensures that this unit delivers a natural and extremely detailed sound at any volume.ĭespite the small overall form factor, the Chord Mojo Black is hands-down one of the best DAC amp combos in its price range. With this kind of range, it can even be used as a preamp into a nice pair of bookshelf speakers. This unit’s digitals inputs include coaxial, MicroUSB, and TOSLINK and its outputs are two 3.5 mm headphone jacks.Īs for the Mojo Black’s internal amplifier, it gives the user the flexibility to drive beastly 800-ohm headphones (which would be quite rare today) or a simple pair of low-impedance cans. Input selection is handled automatically. The Mojo Black’s illuminated globe-style buttons change colors to display the current battery life and sample rate (the max of which will depend on which input you use and the source quality). The control scheme is fairly simple but it adds a nice visual touch to this compact design. The low-end and high-end receive plenty of space in the mix too, making this a great option for those who want to hear lossless audio as it originally sounded in the studio. But that is not the case with the Mojo Black. The mids are a standout feature, as other DACs I have reviewed will deliver a V-shaped frequency response that leaves vocals sounding muddled. It can convert digital sources audio up to 768kHz 32bit and can even play quad DSD 256 files. The standout feature of gear from Chord is that the company makes its own proprietary microchips to handle digital-to-analog conversion. In other words, this device is almost too nice to leave the house. And while its built-in battery means that you could take it on the go and use it with your phone, the raw performance power of the Mojo Black means that it would be best paired with your most high-end headphones and speakers. The Chord Mojo Black is a portable amp/DAC that proves that size isn’t everything.
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