For Friday (November 25, 2016) coupon code BF16 gets you 20% off near site-wide at Monoprice.com (some products and brands are excluded). Among items of interest is the Monoprice 11567 Desktop Headphone amp dropping to $79 after coupon ($98.56 – 20% off = $78.85).
Now shipping: various Monoprice Stereo Tube Amps [Planar headphones still delayed]
More of Monoprice’s stereo Tube amps are now in-stock and ready to ship, some of which are bundled with speakers or headphones. The bundle with their new planar headphones is not available for purchase yet, as neither one of their new planar headphones are in-stock (see bottom of this post for more on them). You can see the new in-stock stereo tube amps using the Fancy A/V-magazine style Monoprice page or the old school list of products page.
PS: the latest estimates on the Monoprice planar-magnetic headphones are November 21 (2016) for the $200 M560 and February 9 (2017) for the $300 M1060. Neither one can be ordered/pre-ordered as of the time of writing.
[DEAD] Apogee GROOVE Portable USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier for $223
This daily deal expired…
Audeze LCD-3 Planars + iFi PRO iCan amp for $2300
Tascam interrupted the iFi trilogy, but we are back after the intermission (this joke only works if you read this website in chronological order aka upside down) 🙂 The iFi PRO iCAN amp is bundled with the Audeze LCD-3 planar magnetic headphones (zebrano and leather), together for $2300 with free shipping at Adorama.com.
iFi Nano-iDSD PCM/DSD/DXD Battery Powered USB DAC for $145
If you don’t think iFi products are iffy (I couldn’t resist – it’s in the name!), Adorama.com is offering the new condition iFi Nano-iDSD PCM/DSD/DXD Battery Powered USB DAC for $145 with free shipping until the end of day on November 21st (2016) or earlier if sold out.
iFi Micro-iCAN Headphone Amplifier (Special Edition) for $230
Good until 11/21/16 (or earlier if sold out), you can get the iFi Micro-iCAN Headphone Amplifier (Special Edition) for $230 with free shipping by Adorama.com. Pictures of all the inputs, outputs and settings/knobs in the gallery over there.
[DEAD] Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Generation) for $100
This deal du jour expired…
[DEAD] NuForce N800M In-Ears and uDAC3 DAC for $100 [ends 10:15pm ET]
This daily deal expired…
SMSL M3 USB DAC/Amp for $69 [MD]
Straddling both portable and desktop use, the SMSL M3 USB DAC/Amp is unlocked at members-only but free-to-join Massdrop for $65 plus $4~ flat shipping. Despite the small size, it offers various input and output and power options, and it also has sampling rate lights (options range from 44 to 192). Check reviews and forums for more details. This runs from the next four days (from blog-posting date) and is estimated to ship early December 2016. Note that the headphone out is 1/4″, not 1/8″, but an adapter is included (and if you are reading this post, you probably have a drawer full of 1/4″ to 1/8″ adapters).
[DEAD] Sterling 4-channel head-amp for $40 w/free S&H
This 24-hour offer expired, but if you missed it, fear not, the MF daily deals are recurring. However, I do not know when each one will return. I do check them daily though…
[DEAD] Used Fiio A3 portable head-amp for $32
This is no longer available at this price but used items come and go…
And now a mini excursion into Amazon Warehouse Deals begins (it “begins” with post upwards from here, not downwards, since blog-posts are posts in reverse chronological order), Electronics Expo (East Coast retail chain) is offering the portable Fiio A3 headphone-amp in “Used – Like New” condition for $32~ through Amazon Warehouse Deals. Free shipping for all since it ships directly from Electronics Expo, but it is not Prime eligible. The new condition price of this critter is $60, and it averages 4.4 out of 5, based on 300+ customer reviews.
Used Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amp for $225+
The Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amp goes for $250 plus mandatory shipping (around $15; varies by zpicode) in new condition at the Schiit website (and $290 Prime-eligible at Amazon), but if you are okay with used, you can get it in B-Stock condition for $210 plus the aforementioned mandatory shipping at the Schiit website (select “B-Stock” under the “Finish” option).
As of 11/6/16 PM recheck, AWD sold out of used options: or for $231 in “Used – Very Good” condition by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.
Used Schiit Valhalla 2 OTL headphone amp for $310+
The Schiit Valhalla 2 OTL headphone amp goes for $350 + S&H in new condition at Schiit’s website (or $389 w/Prime shipping at Amazon), but if you want to save some, you can get it for $300 plus mandatory shipping (on average $15~ for slowest shipping method depending on zipcode) in B-Stock condition at the Schiit website (select B-Stock under the “Finish” menu).
As of 11/5/16 late PM re-check, the Warehouse Deals option sold out… or $311 with free S&H in “Used – Very Good” condition (cosmetic imperfection; damaged original packaging) by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.
Zorloo ZuperDAC Small USB DAC/amp for $63 [MD]
Not enough audio gear with Z in their names? Well, that’s fixed at Massdrop, where the Zorloo ZuperDAC, a small USB to 3.5mm DAC/amp, is fully unlocked for $6o plus $3 flat shipping. The offer runs for the next eight days and will ship in early December 2016. Warranty is covered by Massdrop (one year).
[DEAD] 20% off Monoprice coupon: USB DAC/amp for $48, Desktop DAC/amp to $79
This 2-day coupon expired, but fear not, Monoprice does coupons regularly… If only they found a way to have consistent free shipping (but that’s a story for another day)…
SMSL IDOL+ DAC/Amp for $35 [MD] or $40 now
Tiny USB DAC/amps continue to increase in popularity as more and more smartphones become the centerpiece of people’s digital lives. Or some market-research-mumbo-jumbo like that 🙂 Which brings us to the SMSL IDOL+ DAC/Amp, with a microUSB input and a 3.5mm output, going for $32 plus $3~ flat shipping at Massdrop with eight days left to go from today (= blog-posting date). It comes with both USB and an OTG cable and a 1-year warranty thru Massdrop. Shipping estimate is late November 2016.
If you don’t want to wait for that long, a marketplace seller has it for $40 at Amazon, and the order is fulfilled by Amazon, so if you are a Prime member you get it in about two days after you order.
TEAC HA-P50 Red Portable Headphone DAC/amp for $153
If you like modestly-red colored portable headphone amplifiers, the red TEAC HA-P50 (with a “-R” appended to its name to signify the red) is currently on sale for $153.20 (such a very specific price) with a limit of five per customer at Amazon.com offered at this price by Amazon actual and a marketplace sellers. So the price looks like it may be a computer-generated price-match of marketplace seller? It averages 4 out of 5 but based on only 7 reviews. It has 3.5mm audio and Toslink, along with USB inputs, and a headphone out. It has a built-in rechargeable battery.
PS: you can find more customer reviews at the other colors.
In-Stock Now: Monoprice Monolith Amplifiers (Monolith Planar Headphones not yet)
Monoprice launched a new line of Monolith branded audio products, and the first wave is now in-stock and shipping, four of their Monolith Amplifiers with prices ranging from $1000 to $1500. These are general purpose amplifiers, not dedicated headphone amplifiers… The two new Monolith Planar headphones are still not available for pre-order (priced at $200 and $300 each).
[DEAD] Audeze SINE On-Ears and iFi Micro-iCAN SE for $500
This sale ended… A new headphone bundle, good until 10/18/16 at Adorama.com is the Audeze SINE On-Ears (planar magnetic) bundled with the iFi Micro-iCAN Headphone Amplifier (Special Edition) together going for $500 with free shipping. No coupon, no rebate, just add to cart and proceed to checkout. They are authorized dealers for both.
Used Schiit Audio SCH-13 Sys Passive Preamp for $45 + S&H
As of 10/12/16 re-check, the used option got scooped up at Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD), and currently only new condition units are available from AWD… But there’s still B-stock at the Schiit website for $45 plus mandatory shipping…
The Schiit Audio SCH-13 Sys Passive Preamp is currently available in “Used – Like New” condition (damaged original packaging) for $45~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD) actual, so it is eligible for 2-day Prime shipping for members. The new condition price at Amazon is $59 with free shipping, while the Schiit website has it for $49 plus mandatory shipping (which varies by zipcode). They also have it in B-Stock for $44 plus mandatory shipping. So depending on shipping fees and taxes (both depend on your zipcode) and Prime membership status, the AWD offering may or may not be a good idea.
CEntrance DACport Slim (MD exclusive) for $100
Another Massdrop exclusive has rolled out, with eight days to go (from blog-posting date), it is the CEntrance DACport Slim, fully unlocked for $100 with free shipping and a Black Friday shipping estimate. There is no mention of warranty in the listing. They typically list the warranty and whether it is offered by MD or the manufacturer.
Little Dot MK II Tube amp for $129 [MD]
It’s tubes, but not tubular bells at Massdrop, where the Little Dot MK II tube headphone-amp is now fully unlocked, going for $120 plus $9~ flat shipping. The offer has seven days left (from blog-posting date) and the shipping estimate is early November. MD is offering a 1-year warranty on this. During checkout you have the option to upgrade the tubes to more expensive models.
Monoprice Bluetooth On-Ears #11947 for $20 w/free S&H
Free shipping is a rarity at Monoprice.com, especially for lower priced items, but one of their latest weekend specials is the Monoprice Bluetooth On-Ears Model 11947 in a yellow-black color-scheme (popular with bees) going for $20 with free shipping with a limit of 10 per customer. It averages around 69% based on 150+ customer reviews. It is folding and comes with a basic drawstring pouch. As far as I can tell from the picture, it does NOT have a 3.5mm audio input, it is Bluetooth-only.
Meanwhile their weekend coupons are here, SPICE gets you $20 off an order of over $100, and PUMPKIN gets you $5 off an order of $25+. The coupons end Saturday 10/8/16 night. Of coupon interest (among the many other audio-related things they carry):
+ Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amp, Product ID 11567, plus filler item (eg 3.5mm mobile cable) to get the total slightly over $100 and use the coupon, dropping the price to $80~
+ Monoprice Stereo Hybrid Tube Amp with Bluetooth, product ID 13194, for $130
+ Portable USB DAC/amp, model aka Product ID 15494 for $55 after coupon
+ but if your order total is $100+, you can use the $20 off coupon, bringing the price further down
[DEAD] LiveWire 4-Channel Headphone Amplifier for $40 w/free S&H
This MF daily deal expired but many of their offers return every few weeks, especially now that they went to a 3-item daily deal rotation…
[DEAD] Audeze SINE On-Ears and iFi Nano iDSD for $449
This sale ended… It’s bundle time again at Adorama.com, they are offering the closed-back Audeze SINE on-ears with the iFi Nano-iDSD PCM/DSD/DXD USB DAC, together for $449 with free shipping until 10/8/16.
[DEAD] FiiO D3 (D03K) DAC w/6ft TOS for $21.24
This 4-hour sale, a $4~ discount, expired… Not much pre-scheduled for Friday at Amazon’s, the most recognizable thing is perhaps the FiiO D3 (D03K) Digital to Analog Audio Converter with a 6ft Micca TOS cable. The price before the sale is $25. The sale price is $21.24. Sale ends 6:20pm ET. It started at 2:20pm ET. These offers typically last 4 or in some cases 6 hours. [updated]
Sony MDR-100AAP with Fiio A1 head-amp and Slappa Case for $200
The Sony MDR-100AAP closed headphones currently go for $200 at authorized Sony dealers. While still paying $200, you can score a handful of freebies when you buy them from Beach Camera on Amazon in four different color schemes. Four freebies are included by Beach, two of them are significant: a Slappa Hardbody case and the small Fiio A1 headphone amp. The other two freebies are a microfiber cloth and a 2600 mah keychain battery (mayhaps the Clip+ is a good match for it, definitely not much you can get out of it with a modern smartphone).
Some of these bundles may make sense if you have multiple different types of headphones, and you don’t necessary want to use all the included items together. For example, you could use the Fiio A1 to power something else, and you could use the case to store other headphones. Or if you don’t need the extras, you can gift them or trade/sell them.
In new condition, the Fiio A1 goes for $28, while the Slappa Hardbody goes for $20.
XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp for $168 [MD]
Unlocked at Massdrop, the XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp is going for $160 plus $8~ flat shipping in the next six days or so. This is available in black or silver. It has a display and even includes …wrist bands. They will ship late October 2016.
If you prefer a lower price and are willing to buy directly from China, it goes for under $160 with free shipping from GearBest and Everbuying.
Speaking of Massdrop, with just one day left, the Colorfly C3 Digital Audio Player is going for $45 plus $3~ flat shipping. You can optionally upgrade to the 8GB version for +$10. It does have a memory card slot too, so the on-board storage is not such a big deal (think Sandisk Clip+).
Open Box Fiio E10K USB DAC/amp for $64
The Fiio E10K USB DAC/amp goes for $75~ in new condition, but if you comfortable with open-box from authorized dealers, you can get it for $64 with free shipping by Gramophone through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships directly from Gramophone (Maryland) so it is not Prime eligible. Gary Williams NOT included 🙂
To “save up” on posts, the FiiO E12 MONT BLANC portable USB head-amp goes for $79 with free shipping in open-box condition, from the same seller (Gramophone) through Amazon Warehouse Deals.
Monoprice Coupons Return: Desktop Amp for $80 (w/filler cable), USB DAC/Amp for $55 (or less), Etc
Weekend is coupon time once again at the Monoprice website, coupon SOLONG is $5 off $25+, and coupon SUMMER is $20 off $100+. Coupons expire Saturday 9/24/16 at 11:59pm or so.
+ Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amp, Product ID 11567, plus filler item (eg 3.5mm mobile cable) to get the total slightly over $100 and use the coupon, dropping the price to $80~
+ Monoprice Stereo Hybrid Tube Amp with Bluetooth, product ID 13194, for $130
+ Portable USB DAC/amp, model aka Product ID 15494 for $55 after coupon
+ but if your order total is $100+, you can use the $20 off coupon, bringing the price further down
[DEAD] Thur: AudioQuest Dragonfly 1.2 USB DAC/Amp for $75
This daily deal expired, but the price after expiration is $80, not that far off… This was a daily deal in early September and it’s back now for Thursday, AudioQuest Dragonfly 1.2 USB DAC/Amp going for $75 with free shipping (or store pickup if available) instead of its new-usual price of $80. This is not the latest model. The V1.5 goes for $100 (regular price).
OOPS! I forgot the link, this is the Best Buy link.
DarkVoice 336SE OTL Head-Amp for $233 [MD]
Another offer is now fully unlocked at members-only Massdrop, and it has four days to go (from blog-posting date), it is the DarkVoice 336SE OTL Head-Amp going for $220 plus $13~ flat shipping, with a mid-to-late October 2016 shipping estimate. This is an amp-only (it only has analogue inputs).
Grace Design x Massdrop m9XX DAC/Amp for $500
Dave Matthews thinks Grace is Gone, but it is back at Massdrop, another one of their exclusive is back on and fully unlocked, the Grace Design x Massdrop m9XX DAC/Amp going for $500 with free shipping, with seven days left in the offer, with 250 units available for this particular listing. The shipment estimate is mid-October and the listing there has plenty of pictures and specs.
SMSL IDOL+ DAC/Amp for $35 shipped [MD]
The parade of small USB DAC/amps continues with the SMSL IDOL+ DAC/Amp currently going for $32 plus $3~ flat shipping at the members-only (but free to join) shopping website Massdrop. There are seven days left in the offer, it comes with a 1-year warranty from MD (not the manufacturer) and shipments will begin in mid-October 2016.
Creative Sound Blaster X7 DAC/Amp for $320 [MD]
It took a couple of days but the Creative Sound Blaster X7 DAC/amp combo device is now fully unlocked at members-only Massdrop going for $300 plus $20 flat shipping, with five days left in the offer (from blog-posting date). You can optionally upgrade to the Limited Edition for +$100. Shipping estimate is mid October 2016.
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