Topping L50 or Monolith THX 887 ? or...

[Mossshine]

Hi, I am looking for solid state amp replacement for my tube amp in case I can't fix my tube amp issues.

I mainly listen to city pop and instrumental music (game/movie OSTs) but also I don't shy away from electronic music. Basically anything goes

My current setup is:
PC > voicemeeter > asio usb > SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKⅡDAC > RCA > Darkvoice 336se > 6.3 jack > DT 1990 PRO 250 ohm

The amp replacement needs to support RCA input and either 3.5/6.3 jack or xlr out (xlr probably preferable for my DTs)

I am thinking of either Monolith THX 887 or Topping L50

Looking at their reviews it seems that the L50 is as good or marginally better and also basically for half of the THX 887 price, which sounds too good to be true.

My questions are

1. is there any audible difference between those two, for example difference in sound stage ?
2. are they "too good" for my trusty & cheap DAC ?
3. any other amp recommendations under 400€ ? and why

 

[RickSanchez]

To answer your questions:

1. Nope, unless you run out of power for a particularly power-hungry set of headphones. Highly unlikely with either of these amps, and definitely not going to happen with the headphones you have now.
2. Nope. Down the road -- if you experience ground loop interference -- you could consider buying a different DAC that had balanced outputs (instead of just RCA). But in terms of SQ your Sanskrit is an audibly transparent DAC.
3. Not from me; both of these are excellent options, and great to have both balanced inputs and outputs. The Monolith 887 was just on sale at monoprice.eu recently, I think it was down to ~240€ if I remember correctly. At that price I'm assuming it's about even price-wise with the Topping L50.

 

[Χ Ξ Σ]

The L50 looks surprisingly splendid.

 

[Mossshine]

The L50 looks surprisingly splendid.

Is that a custom case ? Haven't seen red one, only black and silver

 

[Χ Ξ Σ]

Is that a custom case ? Haven't seen red one, only black and silver

It comes in black, sliver, red, and blue. I bought a red one because the case matches the red ring on the knob.

 

[enioentity]

The L50 looks surprisingly splendid.

It does indeed! I have it in black. of the 4 color options i think black and red looks the best..