Monolith by Monoprice has added two eight-channel Class D home theater amplifiers to its portfolio, the 8250X ($2,999) and 8125X ($1,999, pictured in header). The blocks are designed, engineered and assembled in the USA with globally sourced parts, and use high-end audiophile-grade Hypex NCore modules. Monoprice promises that the Class D topology ensures both models will deliver outstanding efficiency and accurately reproduce the most dynamic soundtracks while articulating the subtle sonic details found in music.
“We take great pride in our Monolith products, and these new Class-D amplifiers are no exception. Engineered for uncompromising performance and value, our new Monolith amps efficiently deliver powerful and precise audio output across the entire frequency range, regardless of output gain levels. On top of all that, we were able to provide this level of world-class performance at an incredibly competitive price point,” said Hobie Sechrest, Monolith Business Unit Manager, Monoprice.
The new amps are engineered to last, and resident engineers have worked with Hypex to create bespoke NCore modules with heavy-duty heatsinks to dissipate heat more effectively for better system endurance. Balanced XLR inputs are mounted directly to the amp’s metal chassis (not the internal circuit board) to ensure firm connections and prevent broken solder joints.
The pricier 8250X can produce 200 watts into 8 ohms and 400 watts into 4 ohms, while the 8125X musters 100 watts into 8 ohms and 175 watts into 4 ohms. Both models include heavy-duty binding posts and trigger inputs. Monolith products are backed by a 5-year replacement warranty and 30-day money back guarantee. Check out the Monolith website pages here.
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Yeah, nice. External amps for surround sound is getting a lot easier to incorporate. Just notice the 8250X needs to run on two circuits.
I was going to post somewhere that Emotiva now has a Three Channel amp for $500 and a Six Channel amp for $650. So you can build a 5.x.4 or 7.x.2 system using external amps at only $1,150 for the amps.
I would think they have in order for Monoprice to get into the game. The great thing about these is you know you can send them right back if you're dissatisfied.
Doesn’t D-Sonic use Hypex?
No, he uses the top of the line Pascal modules with a proprietary input circuit. Any idiot can buy a module and throw it in a case, but it's the input boards that really make or break class D amps.
I've heard plenty of NCore amps and while they're just fine, I tend to listen to my D-Sonics a lot more. There's something about the input circuit in the NCore amps that doesn't do it for me.
I have an NCore NC200 based amp powering my desktop setup. It's fine - sounds good, but it lacks that something special that the best amps have. It's a bit of bloom/tonal warmth in the lower registers that most folks associate with Class A/AB amps.
Hypex boards include the input circuit, so you're basically just getting a wire with gain. I think that's not a terrible idea in principle, but the end result for me is a slightly unengaging sound. The D-Sonics get a lot more listening time in my house. I'm sure Dennis would be happy to discuss it with you.
Carlo_M
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A couple of weeks into ownership of the 7000X and I'm super thrilled with its performance, using my Denon 4500h as the pre-pro. But I also know "it can always be better" and I do have 2 home theater setups. So if these turn out to be as good, or better sounding, than Class AB, and also fulfill the promise of Class D being both more efficient and running cooler, then I have no problems in a year's time relegating the Outlaw to the less-used bedroom system and upgrading the main HT to one of these.
I will say, my Denon used to run at 105F or hotter when pushed. I was very surprised when I got the Outlaw at its running temp. Even during an intense MCU action movie, the Outlaw never gets anywhere near as hot as the Denon did even though it's clearly pushing out as much (or more) power to the speakers. I realized I haven't used the thermal gun on the 7000X yet, but I have to estimate it probably doesn't get hotter than mid 90s Fahrenheit, and may be even cooler than that. It also allowed me to set the Denon to Eco mode (sadly on this model you can't fully disable the amps) so now the Denon also runs in the mid 90s (that I did confirm via the thermal gun).
If the Monoprice don't measure up well to the D-Sonics, I'll put those on my future list as well. I was really hoping to stay at the 2K price range though of the 8125.
I don't particularly like that idea. The input is an opportunity for the designer/manufacturer to make the amp their own.
I can pretty much assure you they won't but that's not a bad thing in my opinion. D-Sonic is aimed at serious enthusiasts and audiophiles. Monoprice is more for the masses. If even a decent Class-D implementation can gain a foothold in this space I'd say it bodes well for the future of the technology.
Carlo_M
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An enthusiast currrently is building a conventional surround 5.2 or 7.2 or an Atmos 5.2.2, 5.2.4, 7.2.2, or 7.2.4.
8 channels doesn’t fit cleanly in any enthusiast setup. It’s either too many or to few channels.
Actually, it does. You get a more powerful three channel amp for the front, and add an eight channel to create a 7.x.4 system.
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