Monolith HTP-1 16-Channel Processor

[Sonnie]

Well Sonnie, once again I find myself following in your footsteps.
Been eyeing this processor, mooning for one actually, since it was announced and following the AVS thread since it's release.
Got an email from Monoprice today with a price on a refurb that I couldn't pass up, so its on the way.
One thing holding me back before was needing an amp to go with it. I have a bit of hodepodge set up now using a couple of channels on the T758V3, an Emotiva Gen 2 3 channel and an outlaw 5000 for the height channels. I've been looking at various amps such as some of the newer hypex based products from ATI, NAD, March Audio, and others. In the end I opted for the Monolith 5 channel thinking there's probably little if any difference in sound quality, the Monolith tested very well on Audioholics bench years ago, the price is good and of course it'll match the HTP-1 in appearance.
I think this will be it for me.as far as electronics are concerned. At least I hope so.

Congratulations... welcome to the HTP club.

I wished I could have gotten in on the refurb deal... those are typically the best ones to get, you know they've been tested and they are on the money.

There was a day when I was using channels from my T758 to power some of my speakers as well (I think it may have been the height speakers).

Looking forward to getting your thoughts on it... and hopefully continue to develop more discussion on it here. While I have kept track of the AVS thread too, it can be a challenge at times to wade thru so many discussions going on about it at one time.

 

[JStewart]

Congratulations... welcome to the HTP club.

I wished I could have gotten in on the refurb deal... those are typically the best ones to get, you know they've been tested and they are on the money.

There was a day when I was using channels from my T758 to power some of my speakers as well (I think it may have been the height speakers).

Looking forward to getting your thoughts on it... and hopefully continue to develop more discussion on it here. While I have kept track of the AVS thread too, it can be a challenge at times to wade thru so many discussions going on about it at one time.

Thank you and I'm sure I'll need a hand sometime to help resolve the inevitable operator errors.

One other excuse to get it now I considered was the AKM factory fire. Its 100% speculative of me but I did worry there might be a shortage of DAC chips that might cause production delays. Heck, there's already been several times this year Monoprice has been out of stock, hopefully from high demand and probably some Covid interruptions too.

Monoprice has been killing it the last couple of years with quality products in the Monolith line up. Along with the HTP-1, THX headphone amps/dacs, subs and speakers have all measured well and are highly regarded. I'm happy to be a customer for more than their wires and connectors.

 

[Sonnie]

Wow... did not know about the AKM factory fire. That's not good... hope they can get back up and running soon.

I've heard of several manufacturers having trouble getting parts. Especially those who source some of their parts from foreign countries.

 

[JStewart]

Wow... did not know about the AKM factory fire. That's not good... hope they can get back up and running soon.

According to this article the specific DAC chips used in the HTP-1 are affected. AK4493

Recording - Mixonline

We asked London/Belgium-based engineer Wes Maebe to spend an imaginary $100,000 outfitting an imaginary studio. The place may not exist, but it sounds awesome!

www.prosoundnetwork.com

Anyone on the fence may wish to google the various news stories on the fire and make their own judgment on whether to move sooner rather than later.

 

[Sonnie]

That sure sounds pretty serious.

 

[Sonnie]

I have not. I don't have the setup as I only have 4 height speakers.

Todd has experimented with 6 height channels in his Storm review, and he thought it made a significant difference, IIRC.

 

[JStewart]

They don't support a center height channel or side height channels. They did state that the unit remaps those signals to L-R height and rear height channels.

The manual does say this:

6 High: Front and Rear pairs mounted High on the wall, plus a Middle pair mounted in the ceiling firing down.
The Auro-3D® "Voice of God" signal is routed to the Top Middle pair.

Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for as it’s still not the recommended Auro layout.

These different formats with different speaker placement requirements are a mess imho. Pick one and the others are a compromise. At least in this price range.

DTS-X Pro is still forthcoming in a future update near as I can tell while waiting for my HTP-1 to arrive next week.

 

[Sonnie]

Wouldn't it be nice to have one universal format, but of course that will never happen.

 

[phillihp23]

Wouldn't it be nice to have one universal format, but of course that will never happen.

This X10

 

[JStewart]

I already have my HT setup for both Atmos and Auro 3D. I use surround heights for Auro and my top middle becomes VOG. When I play Atmos I turn off surround heights and just use top middle. I leave the center height engaged for both formats. You can see the side heights above the surrounds and the top middle above the MLP in this photo. If I get the new Anthem 70 or the HTP-1 they don't have settings for surround heights. It looks like I am staying with Marantz.

Makes a lot of sense getting the best of both formats that way.

 

[JStewart]

I’ve followed this product from it announcement, read the reviews, followed the threads, did the same it’s competitors, poured over the specs, debated the financial wisdom, finally made a decision AND ORDERED CABLES THAT ARE TOO SHORT

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I’ve followed this product from it announcement, read the reviews, followed the threads, did the same it’s competitors, poured over the specs, debated the financial wisdom, finally made a decision AND ORDERED CABLES THAT ARE TOO SHORT

 

[Sonnie]

That's too funny.

Have you considered the cable stretcher... very affordable.

BT-2 Cable Stretcher

Singlehandedly grips and pulls taut any derailleur or brake cable during installation, allowing you to set the perfect amount of tension.

www.parktool.com

 

[JStewart]

That's too funny.

Have you considered the cable stretcher... very affordable.

BT-2 Cable Stretcher

Singlehandedly grips and pulls taut any derailleur or brake cable during installation, allowing you to set the perfect amount of tension.

www.parktool.com

Thanks for tip.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I think this will be it for me.as far as electronics are concerned. At least I hope so.

Ah.... let me answer that statement/question for you: NOPE

 

[Sonnie]

It could be the age thing Todd... he admitted earlier he was getting old when he was trying to make me feel bad.

 

[Sonnie]

Sonnie, any word on Audiolense yet? I am looking forward to your review of the processor once you have it dialed in for your room.

Waiting on the new amps, and my new chair... won't be much longer.

 

[ddude003]

I’ve followed this product from it announcement, read the reviews, followed the threads, did the same it’s competitors, poured over the specs, debated the financial wisdom, finally made a decision AND ORDERED CABLES THAT ARE TOO SHORT

 

[JStewart]

@Sonnie are you using and XLR to RCA to a miniDSP for the subs and if you are, are pins 1 and 3 of the XLR connected to the RCA shield? Or do you think it doesn't matter? Post 2 of the AVS thread has a link to an Emotiva XLR to RCA that does not have both pins 1 and 3 connected to the RCA shield, but I'm not sure what the issues might be.

In other news I had a couple of random reboots while watching content with Firmware 1.8.2 (the newest beta) so reverted to 1.7.something (the latest non-beta). We'll see what happens.

Also DLBC is active. I have no idea how, but it's certainly OK with me. Need to do a little playing with it once I get a couple of cables to connect non XLR subs directly to the HTP-1. Have XLR on just one. I was a beta tester for DLBC but the license for DLBC does not show in my Dirac account. I had planned on keeping the miniDSP for aligning subs and probably still will, anyway..

Roon is supposed to be enabled this week. We'll see about that as well. This would be good so I don't have to figure a work around while waiting for it.

Otherwise things seem to be working as intended and thank you for the links in post 1. Very helpful.

Edit: Yes, I have cables that are long enough now!

 

[Sonnie]

I don't have my miniDSP in the chain. I'll have the SHD as my two-channel processor soon, but not yet. Everything I do is XLR... no RCA anywhere in my connections. I'm not familiar with the pin connections referenced... sorry no help... I'm dumb with that stuff. I'm actually using the phase adjustment on my subs to align them so that I can keep the miniDSP out of the loop.

I'm still on 1.8.1 (I think)... no issues thus far that I've noticed.

I believe as a beta tester it's automatic on your account, I know mine was as well. 3.0.11 has a bug they are working on... so I back to 3.0.9.

Glad to see you got those cables stretched.