The Monolith THX AAA-788 is a symmetrical headphone and DAC amplifier combo benefiting from a particularly well thought-out architecture and embedding high quality components for advanced audio performance. Indeed, it integrates two THX AAA-788 amplifier chips and two AKM AK4493 digital/analog conversion chips, as well as Dirac Sensaround II technology, the whole allowing a precise, rich, deep reproduction with a beautiful sound stage. The unit is also equipped with a complete set of balanced and unbalanced connectors, making it extremely versatile.

Balanced architecture

Using the balanced headphone input and output, each THX stereo amplifier operates in bridged mode to maximize the output power of each channel. Each DAC also operates in mono mode, each taking over signal processing for a dedicated channel.

Dirac Sensaround II

Music is often mixed for speakers, not headphones. The result is a headphone listening experience where the sound image seems distorted, as instruments and voices are not precisely placed and may appear muffled. Dirac Sensaround II technology creates a wide sound stage, offering clarity and immersive realism. Whether you're listening to music, watching a movie or playing a game, Dirac Sensaround II puts you at the heart of the sound experience.

Great versatility

The THX AAA-788 benefits from a particularly complete connection system. The inputs include stereo RCA, balanced XLR, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical and USB-B. The output of the amplifier features stereo RCA and a balanced headphone output on 4-pin XLR and an unbalanced headphone output on jack 6.35mm.

Filters

The device also allows the use of filters to adapt the sound reproduction to your listening and your equipment. For example, if your headphones tend to emphasize some sibilance, the use of the PEQ filter allows you to attenuate the corresponding frequency peak. The Shelf EQ filter allows it to boost or cut off part of the high frequencies (HF) or low frequencies (LF).

The DAC's filter also allows you to change the low-pass filter (LPF) or adjust the slope of the high-frequency (HF) filter.

Dynamic range control

The DRC function allows the installation of Shelving Filters. The DRC starts with the high-pass and low-pass filters to separate the high and low frequencies (24dB/oct @ 140Hz), then two independent stereo compressors and a mixer to combine the high and low frequencies. The compression is not Soft Knee, but starts exactly above the threshold level, with no compression below the threshold. The LF offset simply adjusts the threshold level of the LF compressor, in accordance with the HF compressor (the threshold level of the LF compressor corresponds to the threshold level setting + the LF offset setting). The DRC block is located before the volume control. Therefore, the DRC threshold level refers to the level of the incoming signal. The attack time of the compressors is about 100ms.