Monolith Desktop Balanced Headphone Amplifier ESS Sabre DAC (Compatible with All Headphones) $309.99 + Free Shipping

Monolith by Monoprice [monoprice.com] has Desktop Balanced Headphone Amplifier and ESS SABRE DAC with THX AAA Technology, Dirac Virtuo, MQA (Compatible with all headphones and IEMs) on sale for $309.99 - Shipping is Free

Features:

THX AAA™ Technology
ESS SABRE® ADC ES9820Q and ES9038Q2M DAC
Dirac Virtuo spatial audio solution
MQA Compatible
Balanced Inputs
Balanced Outputs

Monolith by Monoprice [monoprice.com] has Desktop Balanced Headphone Amplifier and ESS SABRE DAC with THX AAA Technology, Dirac Virtuo, MQA (Compatible with all headphones and IEMs) on sale for $309.99 - Shipping is Free

Features:

THX AAA™ Technology
ESS SABRE® ADC ES9820Q and ES9038Q2M DAC
Dirac Virtuo spatial audio solution
MQA Compatible
Balanced Inputs
Balanced Outputs

Price Intelligence

Model: Monolith by Monoprice Desktop Balanced Headphone Amplifier and ESS SABRE DAC with THX AAA Technology, Dirac Virtuo, MQA

Deal History

Sale Price

Slickdeal

$NaN

Today

Post Date	Sold By	Sale Price	Activity
11/25/24	Monoprice	$314	1
09/25/24	Monoprice	$430	1

Current Prices

Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 12/3/2025, 06:14 PM

Sold By	Sale Price
NewEgg	$374.69

3 Comments

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

kungpowchicken123

Today 05:48 AM

23 Posts

Joined Sep 2015

kungpowchicken123Today 05:48 AM

23 Posts

I'm shocked they brought this back. It was on my "I desperately want this" list like 5 years ago. I feel like SMSL, xDuoo, Topping, etc have better offerings in this price range.

Good find thought!

2

MiniSuper

Today 06:32 AM

185 Posts

Joined Apr 2019

MiniSuperToday 06:32 AM

185 Posts

Quote from kungpowchicken123

:

I'm shocked they brought this back. It was on my "I desperately want this" list like 5 years ago. I feel like SMSL, xDuoo, Topping, etc have better offerings in this price range.

Good find thought!

What would you suggest at this price range?

kungpowchicken123

Today 08:08 AM

23 Posts

Joined Sep 2015

kungpowchicken123Today 08:08 AM

23 Posts

Quote from MiniSuper

:

What would you suggest at this price range?

Really depends on a bunch of different factors, not limited to:

Budget
Listening style (fun or analytical)
Listening apparatus (IEMs, high-impedance dynamic, planars, etc.)
Desired placement (at desk, on shelf, designated listening area, etc.)
Aesthetic
Size
etc, etc, etc.

Just a few off the top of my head (it's 2am for me right now lol 🤙😎🤙):

*Discrete DAC and Amp Offerings*

The famous (or infamous) Schiit Stack
DAC: https://www.schiit.com/products/modi-5
Amp: https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-unity (This can also be a full DAC/amp for ~$200 instead of $120 if you pick the DAC option)
I don't have this specific stack, but I've have and had a few Schiit products and I like them!

The JDS Atom Stack (Not as famous as it used to be but still good)
DAC: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-dac-2/
Amp: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-amp-2/

Apos TOPPING-30 II Ensemble
https://apos.audio/products/apos-...i-ensemble

Apos X Gremlin/Druid Stack (will require a XLR or 4.4mm penta connection from your headphones)
DAC: https://apos.audio/products/apos-...3198839020
Amp: https://apos.audio/products/apos-...3291343084
Both links have the combo selected, so it's not $335x2, just FYI.

*Integrated DAC/Amp Offerings*

TOPPING DX3 Pro+ Bluetooth
https://apos.audio/products/toppi...th-dac-amp

TOPPING DX5 II DAC/Amp
https://apos.audio/products/toppi...ii-dac-amp

FiiO K11 R2R (In my collection and currently on my desk, love it so far)
https://apos.audio/products/fiio-...op-dac-amp

FiiO K13 R2R
https://apos.audio/products/fiio-...op-dac-amp

SMSL AO300 PRO
https://www.linsoul.com/products/smsl-ao300-pro

*Tube Amp Offerings*

xDuoo TA-66 OTL Tube Amp
https://apos.audio/products/xduoo...-amplifier

1

Monolith Desktop Balanced Headphone Amplifier ESS Sabre DAC (Compatible with All Headphones) $309.99 + Free Shipping

$310

$600

Community Voting