You know, when I read your first comment I thought of Rupert Neve amplifiers. Yes, they are certainly unique, but I’m not entirely sure that’s for better aesthetics though.
As for the new Monoprice amplifier, as a European user I really hope they up their game in Europe. Finding Monoprice products here is not always easy, nor really affordable. But the 887 really does look a lot like the 789 (which I ordered and is on its way from the US), so I guess there should not be any significant differences between the two. Choosing them based on their warranty and aesthetics is the best thing I guess?
I also do wonder how the portable THX AAA amp+DAC by Monoprice sounds and stacks up to the competition, it seems like an interesting proposition too.
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I like the Fidelice design language. It’s definitely mid century modern, which I do love (the Eames’ were brilliant designers).
I think part of the reason that the current THX offering lack better aesthetics is because they’re putting money towards the product, they are selling for $300-$400 range.
And when you creep up to higher end brands they do tend to have a design language that can be rather ostentatious.
The Dave is ugly. It looks like a bad interpretation of something you’d find on the Nautilus. I don’t think that’s what Jules Verne envisioned.
Edit:
My son said it had to be copper to be on the Nautilus. 
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3 years vs 1 year…its a no-brainer here…
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Totally disagree, this amp is very musical and not sterile IMO…
Its totally brutal…good stuff is amplified well and the bad or mediocre comes out like well cxxp!
Show you how much of our music is not as good as we might think it is…
Alex
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I had the Monoprice THX AAA 887 delivered to me a couple of weeks ago. While my sample size is small, I think it is a beautiful sounding amp. I’m running it from an RME ADI-2 DAC FS into HD600s, 650Ms, and a couple of Grado mods using the balanced connection.
I find it clean as a whistle, detailed, smooth (in a good way), and dynamic. I’ve had an LCX, a couple Bursons. I currently have a ZMF Jr and I think that the THX better suits my tastes. It definitely beats the pants off of the headphone out of the RME in dynamics and staging. When upressing to DSD through HQPlayer>RME, the THX is a super fun listen.
I would be curious to hear a comparison with the HPA4. I read a review on the Monoprice site in which an HPA4 owner felt the 887 was “close enough” to the performance of the HPA4 so he sold it and kept the difference. Seems like a fishing tale, but it piqued my curiosity.
For what it’s worth. I also like the look, @Torq - no nonsense and clean looking.
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Like I said, aesthetics are very personal.
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Hmmmm…do I hear an axe grinding in the background… 
Also define “Musical” for me please =) I just want clarification on what you define as musical…I generally know what @ProfFalkin would define as musical…but would like your point of view if you don’t mind 
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I have great ears.
This is starting to look like a thread on SuperBestAudioFriends. Some of the same posters, too. 
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I have great ears, and can confirm: metal on grindstone sounds.
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We’ve been having some good constructive discussion on this topic over on this thread: "Musical" vs. "Analytical/Sterile/Clinical" - Meaning of Terms?
I suggest we keep it positive and talk there about “musicality” and keep this one focused on the product.
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Totally agree.
Ha!
In the sake of sanity and friendship, I modify my comment to say the Monoprice THX amp is not sterile at all IMO…
Musical for the other discussion!!
…and just for grins I am not a SBAF person at all…
Agree, stay positive and enjoy the music!!
Alex
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There aren’t too many reviews on this unit, so thanks to those who’ve contributed with their impressions. Such an impressive unit at a bargain price. Makes me want to order one, just like all of the other great gear I read of on here!
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That was my intent, I was referring to the “ax-grinding” as a call out to @lost33 intro post 
it was meant in an “all in good fun” call out to that, in regards to the implied “strong” words of “totally disagree”.
Also, I was purposefully using my own words from the thread we were engaged with regarding, if you don’t understand someone’s perspective…just ask it was not meant as anything other than a means to get to know Lost33’s perspective better.
@ProfFalkin I have had enough interaction and read enough of his posts here and on Head-fi to have a general understanding of his likes/dislikes (no definitive conclusions at this point ).
So, hopefully, we all have learned a little bit more about each other I know sometimes my “wit” as I like to think of it, comes off as too dry…I have been trying to maintain clarification below some of these comments…for instance, calling out @Resolve for his Dell motherboard DAC that he uses for all of his reviews… (not judging…ok, I’m judging you… )
To clarify Resolve does not use an onboard DAC from his Dell motherboard… lol…but having to write that out can have less of a punchline effect… but oh well… I think it’s still funny
This was way more effort and time spent on this… sigh but hopefully with the clarification, we can all sing songs around a campfire and hug it out later…if not I’ll call on my powers of “CAREBEARSTARE!!!” to make everyone get along lol
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Can I be the pink one? I think we all know the purple Care Bear is DarthPool.
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You can be whichever you’d like. And we can even have more than one of each color. 
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Purple is life! Life is Purple…
Come…join me in all that is the glory of the Purples!!!
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